Investigators Work with Walmart After Identifying Suspect's Backpack in Guthrie Kidnapping

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Investigators working on the disappearance of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, are consulting with Walmart management to develop leads because a backpack the suspect was wearing is sold exclusively at the stores, the Pima County, Arizona, sheriff said. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities say her blood was found on the front porch, and purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for paying have passed.

Why it matters

The discovery of the suspect's backpack, which is exclusive to Walmart, provides a potential clue that could help investigators track down the perpetrator and determine the motive behind Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping. The case has garnered national attention due to Savannah Guthrie's high-profile role as a 'Today' show host, and the community is anxious for answers and the safe return of the 84-year-old woman.

The details

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released surveillance videos of a masked person wearing a handgun holster outside Guthrie's front door in Tucson the night she vanished. A porch camera recorded video of a person with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, a jacket, and gloves. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the 25-liter 'Ozark Trail Hiker Pack' backpack was the only clothing item that has been 'definitively identified' and that it is exclusive to Walmart, leading them to work with the retailer to develop further leads.

• Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Arizona home on January 31, 2026.
• Nancy Guthrie was reported missing the following day, on February 1, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect out on bail.