Renowned Houston forensic artist sketches her version of suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance

Retired Houston forensic artist Lois Gibson created an unofficial sketch of the masked figure in the Nancy Guthrie case, hoping it would help bring her home.

HOUSTON — A legendary Houston forensic artist stepped out of retirement to draw an unofficial sketch she hopes might help in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.

The new development comes as investigators continue to focus on doorbell video from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home, where an armed, masked person was seen approaching the front door the night she disappeared 12 days ago. A white tent has now been set up outside the home as the investigation continues, and a source says investigators found gloves about a mile away that appear similar to those worn by the person in that video. The gloves are being tested for DNA.

Enter Lois Gibson, a renowned Houston crime-sketch artist and retired Houston Police Department forensic artist. She was not asked by any agency to get involved — this is not an official police sketch — but after seeing the images released by the FBI showing someone in a ski mask at the door, apparently tampering with the camera — she decided she had to try.

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Gibson based her sketch on what little the images reveal: the eyes, lips and mustache visible beneath the mask. It’s a challenging assignment even for someone with her résumé, but she said she couldn’t ignore the pull to help.

Retired Houston forensic artist Lois Gibson created an unofficial sketch of the masked figure in the Nancy Guthrie case, hoping it would help bring her home.

“I couldn’t stop myself, I just couldn’t stop myself, I wanted to help, I felt the pain,” Gibson said. “I’ve been in the room with people, their babies have been kidnapped and 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.”

Gibson is widely regarded as a living legend in her field and retired from HPD five years ago after a career of helping law enforcement identify suspects through witness descriptions. In this case, though, she’s working entirely on her own. No department has requested her help and no agency has signed off on the drawing.

The sketch should not be viewed as an official image of a suspect. Instead, it reflects the instincts and experience of a veteran forensic artist who felt compelled to use her skills in a high-profile case that has captured national attention.

Still, Gibson’s motivation is the same as that of many following the story: she wants Nancy Guthrie home safe, and whoever is responsible brought to justice. For her, putting pencil to paper is one way to try to push the case forward — even if no one asked her to.