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Investigators hunting for clues in the disappearance of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother are working with Walmart executives after determining a key piece of evidence was purchased at the retail giant, officials said Monday.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that a 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack worn by the suspect in surveillance footage is sold exclusively at Walmart stores, potentially providing investigators with a crucial lead in the case that has now stretched into its third week.
“We are working with Walmart management to develop further leads,” Nanos told The Associated Press in a text message. The sheriff’s department clarified that while the suspect’s other clothing items may have been purchased from Walmart, only the backpack has been “definitively identified” as exclusive to the retailer.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities discovered blood on her front porch, raising immediate concerns about foul play. The investigation has since taken several disturbing turns, including purported ransom notes sent to news outlets with payment deadlines that have now passed without resolution.
The FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked person wearing a handgun holster approaching Guthrie’s front door on the night she disappeared. Porch camera video captured images of the individual wearing a ski mask, long pants, jacket, gloves, and the now-identified Walmart backpack.
According to the FBI, the suspect appears to be a man approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. Sheriff Nanos explicitly ruled out family members as suspects on Monday, stating, “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.” This includes Guthrie’s siblings and their spouses.
In a potentially significant development, investigators announced Sunday that a glove found near the Guthrie residence has been sent for DNA testing. The FBI indicated it had received preliminary results on Saturday but was awaiting official confirmation before releasing further details.
Health concerns for the missing woman continue to mount as time passes. Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication for serious medical conditions, including management of a pacemaker, high blood pressure, and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio published on broadcastify.com.
The case has drawn national attention, not only because of the connection to Savannah Guthrie, the popular co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, but also due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the disappearance. The presence of ransom notes suggests a potential kidnapping, though authorities have been careful not to speculate publicly about specific scenarios.
Law enforcement agencies, including local police and the FBI, have deployed significant resources to the search. The identification of the Walmart-exclusive backpack represents one of the first concrete pieces of evidence that might help identify the suspect.
Retail surveillance and purchase records could prove valuable in tracking down the individual, as modern inventory systems often maintain detailed records of who purchased specific items and when. Walmart’s extensive camera systems throughout their stores may also provide additional footage of the suspect if they purchased the items in person rather than online.
As the investigation continues, authorities have requested that anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts or the identity of the suspect contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI immediately.
The family, including Savannah Guthrie, has not issued recent public statements, likely following guidance from law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.
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16 Comments
This is a heartbreaking case, but the Walmart lead seems promising. I’m curious to see what other evidence investigators are able to uncover from the backpack purchase and the suspect’s behavior. Solving this crime is so important for providing closure.
Yes, the Walmart connection is a valuable clue. I hope the investigators are able to use it to quickly identify the suspect and determine their whereabouts and motive.
The fact that the suspect’s backpack is sold exclusively at Walmart is an intriguing development in this case. I’m glad the investigators are working closely with the retailer to follow this lead. Identifying the suspect through their purchasing history could be crucial to solving this disturbing kidnapping.
Yes, the Walmart connection is a valuable clue that the investigators should pursue vigorously. Tracing the suspect’s movements and activities at the store could provide vital evidence to aid in the investigation.
The fact that the suspect’s backpack is sold exclusively at Walmart stores is an important break in the case. I hope the partnership with the retail giant helps investigators quickly identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
Absolutely. Walmart’s cooperation will be instrumental in tracking down the suspect and understanding their motivations and movements.
Interesting development in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case. The investigators working with Walmart to trace the backpack is a key lead that could help uncover the suspect’s identity. Hopefully this helps provide more clues and bring resolution to this disturbing situation.
Agreed, the backpack purchase at Walmart is a crucial piece of evidence. Tracing the suspect’s movements and purchasing history could be vital to cracking this case.
This is a harrowing case, but the Walmart backpack lead seems promising. I’m curious to see what other details investigators are able to uncover through this connection. Hopefully it will help bring some answers and justice for Nancy Guthrie and her family.
Absolutely. The Walmart link is a significant breakthrough that could be the key to solving this crime. I hope the investigators are able to use it to track down the suspect and determine their motive.
The Walmart backpack is a significant piece of evidence in this disturbing kidnapping case. I’m glad the investigators are working closely with the retailer to follow this lead and hopefully identify the perpetrator. It’s such a heartbreaking situation, but this breakthrough could be pivotal.
Yes, the Walmart partnership is an important development. Tracing the suspect’s purchasing history and movements at the store could provide vital clues to aid the investigation.
The fact that the suspect’s backpack was purchased at Walmart is an interesting development. I wonder if the investigators will be able to trace any other purchases or activities back to the retailer that could help pinpoint the suspect’s identity and movements. This case is certainly concerning, but I’m hopeful the Walmart lead will provide some much-needed answers.
Agreed, the Walmart connection is crucial. Combing through their records and security footage could reveal important details about the suspect that may help crack the case.
This is a tragic situation, but the Walmart backpack lead is an important breakthrough. I hope the investigators are able to leverage their partnership with the retailer to quickly identify the suspect and determine their motive. Solving this case and bringing the perpetrator to justice is so critical.
Agreed. The Walmart connection is a promising development that could be the key to cracking this case. I’m hopeful the investigators can use it to make significant progress and provide closure for Nancy Guthrie’s family.