Walmart Backpack Clue Helps Find Missing Mother Nancy Guthrie in Arizona

Investigators are looking for a black Ozark Trail backpack from Walmart to help find missing mother Nancy Guthrie, a key clue in the ongoing search.
By Newsroom | Crime, Arizona |

Tension Mounts as Investigators Pursue Specific Retail Item

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has entered its third week with a new focus on a specific item: a backpack purchased at Walmart. Federal investigators released details of a person of interest seen carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. This piece of evidence is now considered a "very promising lead," according to the Pima County Sheriff, offering a potential avenue to identify the individual believed to have removed Ms. Guthrie from her home against her will.

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Timeline of Events and Key Discoveries

  • February 1st: Nancy Guthrie is reported missing after not appearing at a church gathering.

  • Post-February 1st: Investigators confirm blood found on Ms. Guthrie's front porch belongs to her.

  • Timeline of Disconnection: Investigators' timeline indicates Ms. Guthrie's doorbell camera was disabled at 1:47 a.m. and her pacemaker disconnected from its phone app at 2:28 a.m.

  • Mid-February (after February 7th): FBI retrieves images from Ms. Guthrie's doorbell camera, revealing a masked, gloved, and armed individual.

  • February 15th: Savannah Guthrie shares an emotional video plea for her mother's safe return.

  • February 16th: Law enforcement identifies the backpack seen in the footage as a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, available at Walmart.

  • February 20th/21st (recent days): Investigators conduct neighborhood sweeps, collecting multiple gloves from the area for analysis.

Evidence and Investigation Details

Investigators have pieced together a picture of the events leading to Ms. Guthrie's disappearance, largely through surveillance footage and forensic analysis.

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  • Doorbell Camera Footage: The FBI was able to extract images from Ms. Guthrie's doorbell camera more than a week after her disappearance. These images show a masked, gloved, and armed individual.

  • Forensic Evidence: Blood found on Ms. Guthrie's porch has been identified as hers. Additionally, gloves have been collected from the neighborhood during recent sweeps.

  • Medical Concerns: Authorities have expressed concern for Ms. Guthrie's health due to her need for vital daily medicine, a pacemaker, and a history of high blood pressure and heart issues.

  • The "Walmart Clue": The focus has now shifted to a specific black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack seen with the person of interest. Officials, including Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, suspect the individual purchased their attire and face covering from Walmart.

The Backpack: A Potential Identification Tool

The identification of the backpack as a specific model sold at Walmart has become a central element of the investigation.

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  • Retail Connection: Investigators are working with Walmart to obtain records that could help trace the purchase of the backpack. The logic is that transactions at large retailers are often captured on surveillance, allowing investigators to potentially work backward electronically to identify a purchaser.

  • Significance: Sheriff Nanos has called the identification of this Walmart-exclusive backpack the "most promising lead yet." Experts suggest that such detailed retail information can be a crucial step in working backward to identify a suspect or their associates.

Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Efforts

Despite the emergence of the Walmart clue, many questions remain unanswered.

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  • Nature of the Event: Law enforcement has not definitively stated whether Ms. Guthrie's disappearance was a planned abduction or a burglary that escalated.

  • Suspects: No suspect has been publicly identified. While one person of interest has been identified based on the doorbell camera, the sheriff's office has indicated that more than one suspect is not ruled out.

  • Ms. Guthrie's Whereabouts: Her current location and condition are unknown.

  • Cross-Border Inquiries: The hunt for a breakthrough has extended to Mexico, with authorities there contacted, although there is no evidence Ms. Guthrie has crossed the border.

Expert Perspectives on the "Walmart Clue"

  • "Every time you make a transaction at a store like Walmart, you’re being videoed. So you can walk into your Walmart and buy a holster, ammo and all that kind of stuff." – Expert quoted in nypost.com

  • "And then, all you do is work backwards electronically." – Expert quoted in nypost.com, referring to tracing transactions.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance has gained a significant new avenue with the identification of a specific Walmart backpack worn by a person of interest. This "Walmart clue" is being pursued as a critical lead to identify the individual responsible for Ms. Guthrie's removal from her home. Law enforcement is actively working with the retail giant to leverage transaction data and surveillance footage. Meanwhile, ongoing neighborhood canvassing and forensic analysis of collected evidence, including gloves, continue. The primary objectives remain the safe return of Ms. Guthrie and the apprehension of those involved. Officials continue to urge caution against public speculation while emphasizing the active and evolving nature of the investigation.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new clue are investigators using to find Nancy Guthrie?
Investigators are focusing on a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack bought at Walmart. They believe the person seen in doorbell camera footage carrying this backpack might be involved in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
Q: Why is the Walmart backpack considered a promising lead in the Nancy Guthrie case?
The backpack is a specific item sold at Walmart, which allows investigators to check store records and surveillance footage. This could help them trace the purchase and identify a suspect or person of interest.
Q: What happened to Nancy Guthrie before she went missing?
Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera was turned off at 1:47 a.m. and her pacemaker was disconnected from its app at 2:28 a.m. on February 1st. Blood found on her porch was confirmed to be hers.
Q: What do investigators know about the person seen on Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera?
The FBI found images showing a masked, gloved, and armed individual. This person was seen carrying the black Ozark Trail backpack from Walmart.
Q: Is Nancy Guthrie's health a concern in the search?
Yes, her health is a major concern. She needs vital daily medicine, has a pacemaker, and has a history of high blood pressure and heart issues. Officials are worried about her well-being.
Q: Has a suspect been identified in the Nancy Guthrie case?
No suspect has been publicly named yet. While there is a person of interest seen in the footage, investigators are not ruling out the possibility of more than one person being involved.