A law enforcement source has confirmed to CBS News that a masked man suspected of abducting 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her home in Pima County, Arizona, appears to have visited her front door before Feb. 1, the night investigators believe she was kidnapped.

The FBI released images and video of the suspect on Feb. 10, asking the public for help identifying the individual, though local and federal officials have cautioned that the doorbell-camera images lack date or time stamps, CBS News reported.

Investigators are now scrutinizing doorbell-camera footage that may show the suspect made at least one prior visit to Guthrie's residence before her suspected abduction, even as the Pima County Sheriff's Office warns that any claims about when certain images were recorded remain speculative without verified timestamps.

A Masked Figure Captured on a Nest Doorbell Camera

Nancy Guthrie's Nest doorbell camera captured footage of a masked man at her front door on the night of Feb. 1, the date police believe she was taken from her home. Most of the images and videos released by the FBI show the suspect wearing a face mask and gloves while carrying a backpack. The FBI made those materials public on Feb. 10 in a direct appeal to the community for assistance.

However, at least one image released by the FBI shows the same masked man standing at Guthrie's door without a backpack. According to a law enforcement source who confirmed the information to CBS News, that image was captured sometime before Feb. 1. ABC News first reported this detail about the suspect's apparent earlier appearance at her residence.

It remains unclear exactly how many days before the suspected abduction the earlier image was recorded. The distinction between the two images — one showing the man with a backpack and one without — has become a focal point of discussion among investigators and media outlets tracking the case.

Sheriff's Office Pushes Back on Timeline Claims

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News that the information about the timing of the image showing the man without a backpack did not originate from either the Pima County Sheriff's Department or the FBI. The sheriff appeared to distance his office from the reporting about the suspect's possible prior visit to the home.

The sheriff's office followed up with a statement issued Monday night that directly addressed the matter. "There is no date or time stamp associated with these images," the statement read. "Therefore, any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative."

An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CBS News. The tension between the law enforcement source's confirmation and the sheriff's public caution highlights the complexity of the evidence and the challenges investigators face in building a reliable timeline from recovered digital data.

Recovered Footage and the Role of Tech Companies

In a statement from Feb. 10, Sheriff Nanos explained that the FBI and his department had been collaborating with private sector partners to recover footage from Guthrie's home. He noted that some images and videos may have been "lost, corrupted,d or inaccessible due to a variety of factors, including the removal of recording devices." Nanos confirmed that the video was ultimately recovered from residual data stored in backend systems.

Google, which manufactures the Nest camera installed at Guthrie's home, previously told CBS News it was cooperating with law enforcement but could not share further details because of the active investigation. CBS News reached out to Google again regarding when the earlier image of the man without the backpack was captured, but a spokesperson had not immediately responded.

The FBI identified the backpack seen in the footage as a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack. CBS News first reported that this particular backpack is sold exclusively at Walmart. Sheriff Nanos has called the backpack "one of the most promising leads" in the investigation, and Walmart has provided authorities with purchase records for that item spanning several months. Investigators have also been reviewing surveillance footage from area Walmart locations, though it is not yet known whether the backpack was bought online or in a store.

What Investigators Know About the Suspect

The man captured in the doorbell footage has been described as approximately 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall with an average build. Despite the release of multiple images, investigators have not yet identified a suspect. Sheriff Nanos said last week that authorities have not ruled out the possibility that an accomplice may have assisted the suspected kidnapper, although no persons of interest have been publicly named.

A glove recovered near Guthrie's home yielded DNA from an unknown male, and the glove appeared consistent with those the suspect was wearing in the video. However, when that DNA profile was submitted to CoDIS, the FBI's national database, no match was returned. Guthrie's family members, including Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings, have been formally cleared as suspects by Sheriff Nanos.

Lessons to Learn

1. Maintain and monitor home security devices regularly. Nancy Guthrie had a doorbell camera, and it ultimately provided crucial evidence. Homeowners should ensure their cameras are functioning properly, that footage is being stored reliably, and that they know how to access recordings quickly in an emergency. Even the best technology can fail if devices are not maintained or if data storage systems are not understood.

2. Be alert to unfamiliar visitors. The possibility that the suspect visited Guthrie's home before the night of her disappearance underscores the importance of paying attention to anyone who appears at your door unexpectedly. Reporting unusual or repeated visits from strangers to local law enforcement — even if nothing seems immediately wrong — could prove critical. Neighbors should also look out for one another, especially for elderly residents living alone.

3. Cooperate with investigators and share information promptly. The FBI's public appeal for help identifying the suspect demonstrates how vital community participation can be in solving cases. If you see something that seems relevant to an investigation, contact authorities without delay.

That said, it is essential to remember that crime can happen to anyone regardless of precautions, and we should never place blame on victims for what was done to them.

Why This Story Matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is a stark reminder that violent crime can reach anyone, including an 84-year-old woman in her own home, and that communities must remain vigilant. The case also raises important questions about the reliability of digital evidence and how law enforcement agencies communicate findings to the public, especially when different sources offer conflicting characterizations of the same data. As investigators continue their work, this story underscores the urgent need for cooperation among federal agencies, local departments, technology companies, and everyday citizens to bring resolution to families and accountability for those responsible.

In summary, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was suspected of being abducted from her Pima County home on Feb. 1 by a masked man captured on her Nest doorbell camera. The FBI released images and video of the suspect on Feb. 10, seeking the public's help, and a law enforcement source confirmed that at least one image appears to show the suspect at her door before the night of the abduction. The suspect's black Ozark Trail backpack, sold exclusively at Walmart, remains one of the strongest leads, and DNA from a recovered glove produced no match in the national database.