Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigators work with Walmart after identifying suspect's backpack

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SCOTT BAUER
Updated 1:17 PM CST, February 16, 2026
Leer en español

Investigators working on the disappearance of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother 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 Monday.

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. Purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for paying have passed.

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 Count Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a text message to The Associated Press on Monday that the 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack was the only clothing item that has been “definitively identified.”



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-mother-missing-walmart-9b90363ef0e59fe69a7bd65e1445aa03

[bucolic_frolic]

1. I don't know what's going on with the kidnapper(s) but

if it was about the $6 million ransom money they could have grabbed that a week ago.

So someone had something else in mind.

[Lovie777]

2. Unqualified incompetent psychopaths running the DOJ, FBI, et al...................

same running the US government.

Shakes head. Prayers for a safe return.

[Deminpenn]

3. They just now figured out Ozark Trail

is Walmart's store brand? As soon as I heard the backpack was that name, I knew it was bought at Walmart.

Walmart has a top camera surveillance system and inventory/sales data. LE is going to find this guy, but not sure they'll find Mrs Guthrie alive.

[questionseverything]

4. It's not like that backpack was only sold in Arizona

My household probably has 3 or 4 of those black backpacks, we have been buying them for years

[Deminpenn]

6. More than likely it was

and probably relatively recently. LE now has DNA that can be used to build a profile of what this guy looks like, too.

[stopdiggin]

5. do they have any way of determining if this was a recent purchase? What store - state - region?

Any reason to think this couldn't have been a birthday present - a raffle prize - unloaded in a yard sale?

My first thought here was ... Well - that one is a LOOOONG shot.

[Deminpenn]

7. No, but it's a starting point

LE will ask Walmart for all data on the number and color sold. There may be enough details of the backpack from the video for Walmart or the manufacturer to narrow down the timeframe when it was made.

[SergeStorms]

8. I agree.....

about Ms, Guthrie being alive. I figure she was a goner within a week of the crime. I imagine the Guthrie family has demanded proof of life. That's the main sticking point here.

[JI7]

10. People that work at Walmart have been saying this since they first saw the video

Are they really just looking into this now ?

[IcyPeas]

9. Why are they sending the ransom letters to TMZ?

I find that kind of weird. I get the feeling they are getting a kick out of watching TMZ talking about it.

Must be excruciating for the family not knowing what's happened.

[Deminpenn]

11. I guess it's possible the ransom notes

are being sent by someone completely unrelated to the crime.

[Figarosmom]

12. It's too bad patel is the head of the FBI

Can't believe they'd not make it political.

[RetiredParatrooper]

13. While her disappearance is tragic....

....the saturation coverage of it is ridiculous. Hundreds of women and girls go missing in the United States EVERY DAY.

[Mosby]

14. Average of 88 missing person reports per hour.

Are filed in the US. 2100 or so per day.

[Randomthought]

15. IMHO, the kidnappers messed up

And Ms Guthrie either died or they killed her and they are still trying to find a way to extort money from the family.