FBI Releases Suspect Details In Nancy Guthrie Case As Forensic Artist Shares Her Sketch

The FBI is releasing more information about the Nancy Guthrie case, almost two weeks after the disappearance of the 84-year-old from her Tucson, Arizona home. The alleged abductor was captured on the security camera outside Guthrie's home, giving authorities more details to analyze.

Meanwhile, a renowned forensic artist has offered her skills and created a sketch of the man seen in the footage.

FBI Phoenix posted an update on social media, increasing the reward for any information leading to the location of Guthrie or the arrest of anyone involved in her abduction to $100,000.

Based on the security footage obtained from the security camera, they are also providing some details. "The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5'9" - 5'10" tall, with an average build," they noted.

Apart from the suspect's height and build, no other details were released. Identifying other details may be challenging, as the individual was wearing a mask that revealed only his eyes and mouth. He was also dressed in a jacket and long pants.

The person was also wearing a backpack, as seen in the video. According to the FBI, they have identified the bag as a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker backpack.

Per a report from NBC News, the Ozark Trail is a brand exclusively sold in Walmart, though the item may not necessarily have been purchased by the suspect.

As previously reported by The Blast, a white tent was erected outside Guthrie's home, though no details were offered. However, police presence increased in the area as investigators and federal agents canvassed the neighborhood, looking for clues that might lead to where Guthrie was taken.

Lois Gibson, a retired Houston Police Department forensic artist, shared a sketch she made of the man seen outside Guthrie's home. She made use of the black-and-white videos and screengrabs the FBI released to come up with the face of the man, noting that she "guessed" the parts that were concealed by the mask.

The unofficial sketch shows a man with what is called a circle beard and side-parted hair. "I spent 43 years at job trying to help detectives with similar photos. Only thing somewhat sure are eyes and part of lips/mustache. I'll take the hit if I'm drastically wrong," she wrote on Facebook.

Gibson holds the Guinness World Record as the most successful forensic artist, and she has helped authorities positively identify 751 criminals, resulting in more than 1,000 convictions. Her passion for helping catch criminals came after she survived being attacked by a man, who was later identified as a serial rapist and murderer.

Although Gibson wasn't officially tapped to sketch for the Guthrie case, she said that she wanted to help the family. "I couldn't stop myself, I just couldn't stop myself, I wanted to help. I felt the pain," she explained.

She said that she's been with families of kidnapping victims over the years that she worked as a forensic artist, adding, "It takes you by the throat, it makes you feel like you're choking over what they're going through, so I wanted to help them."

Police have been fielding tips since Guthrie's case hit headlines, but they were flooded with even more calls when the FBI released the images of the alleged suspect. According to AP, the sheriff's department received more than 4,000 calls in 24 hours.

Since February 1, the day Guthrie was reported missing, the FBI has fielded more than 13,000 tips, while the Pima County Sheriff's Office has received 18,000 calls. It's a lot of information to sift through, but each tip must be checked for credibility and relevance to the case.