A new and unsettling detail has emerged in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie: multiple members of her church congregation say they noticed an unfamiliar man lingering near her during a weekend service shortly before she vanished.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, parishioners reported the man’s presence to authorities after learning of Guthrie’s disappearance. Witnesses described him as out of place and unusually attentive to her, prompting concerns that he may have been monitoring her movements.

Law enforcement officials are now working with witnesses to develop a composite sketch and identify the individual. Authorities have not confirmed whether the man is a suspect, but they say the report is being treated as a potential lead in a case already filled with digital, forensic, and behavioral clues.

“Witness sightings can be critical in reconstructing pre-incident surveillance,” said a former federal investigator. “If someone was studying the victim’s routines, a church appearance would be a logical opportunity.”

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the church and nearby areas, as well as cross-referencing the description with known persons of interest and public records. Officials caution that many sightings in high-profile cases ultimately turn out to be coincidental, but each tip must be verified.

The revelation adds to a growing web of mysteries surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance, including suspicious communications, digital timeline data from her medical device, and forensic findings at her home. Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid speculation while they follow every credible lead.

For the congregation, the memory of the unknown man has become haunting. Several attendees reportedly told investigators that his behavior felt “off” even before the news broke.

As detectives work to identify the individual, one question remains: was he merely a stranger passing through — or someone quietly studying his target days before she vanished?

And according to sources tracking the investigation, the composite sketch may soon be released, potentially triggering a new wave of tips and identifications.