Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s mom, Nancy Guthrie, is still missing after being abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., home—and Sheriff Chris Nanos recently revealed new details about a key piece of evidence: the alleged suspect’s backpack.
In an interview that aired on Today on Tuesday, March 3, the Pima County Sheriff shared an update on 84-year-old’s case more than one month since she went missing.
During his chat with NBC correspondent Liz Kreutz, Nanos explained that investigators are “definitely closer” to finding a suspect in Nancy’s case. He also addressed a key piece of evidence: the backpack of the masked individual seen in Nancy’s Nest camera.
“We’ve now learned that maybe it wasn’t purchased at a Walmart,” Nanos revealed. “That backpack is an exclusive to Walmart. But whose to say I didn’t buy it and put it on eBay? That’s what we’re looking at.”
The backpack in question is a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack sold exclusively at Walmart. Previously, Nanos said it was “one of the most promising leads” in Nancy’s case.
Related: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Update: Major Strategy Change Explained as Investigation Takes a Sudden Turn
This new information from Nanos about the backpack came after, in a sudden turn, both the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) withdrew multiple agents and officers from Tucson to focus on other aspects of the investigation.
In a Feb. 27 statement, the PCSD said, “This remains an active investigation and will continue until Nancy Guthrie is located or all leads have been exhausted,” per People. “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is refocusing resources to detectives specifically assigned to this case. As leads are developed and resolved, resource allocation may fluctuate. PCSD will maintain a patrol presence in the Guthrie neighborhood.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been searching for Nancy since Feb. 1 after she was last seen at her Tucson residence on Jan. 31. Since then, Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, have sent multiple video messages to the potential captor after receiving several alleged ransom notes. Savannah most recently offered a $1 million reward for any information leading to Nancy’s return.
Those with any information about Nancy’s missing case are advised to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
