The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has received a significant boost from an unexpected source: Walmart representatives in the Tucson area. As the case enters its third week with no arrests and mounting concern for Nancy’s health—she requires daily medication for conditions including high blood pressure and a pacemaker—law enforcement has turned to retail records for a potential breakthrough centered on a key piece of evidence: the suspect’s backpack.

Surveillance footage from Nancy’s doorbell camera, released by the FBI, shows a masked individual approaching her home in the early hours of February 1, 2026. The person, described as a male approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall with an average build, wore dark clothing, black gloves, a ski mask, and carried a distinctive black backpack while appearing to tamper with the camera. Authorities definitively identified the item as a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, a private-label brand sold exclusively through Walmart stores and their online platform.

This identification prompted immediate collaboration between the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and Walmart management. Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that the backpack stands out as the only item of clothing or gear “definitively identified” from the footage. Unlike other apparel the suspect wore—which may have been purchased from Walmart but is widely available elsewhere—the Ozark Trail backpack’s exclusivity makes it traceable. Investigators are now working closely with Walmart’s corporate security team to review sales records, purchase histories, and potentially store surveillance footage from locations in the Tucson metropolitan area and surrounding regions.

A Walmart representative familiar with the regional operations provided a crucial detail that has helped narrow the focus: the specific model of the Ozark Trail Hiker Pack seen in the video has been discontinued or pulled from current sales in the area. “This backpack is one we’ve stopped selling in the current phase,” the representative reportedly told authorities, noting that while older stock may still circulate through secondary markets or existing inventory, new purchases of this exact variant are no longer active. This timeline shift is invaluable—it limits the window during which the suspect could have acquired the bag, potentially focusing efforts on buyers from the months or years leading up to the disappearance rather than ongoing sales.

By cross-referencing sales data, transaction dates, payment methods, and—if available—loyalty program information or in-store camera footage from checkout areas, investigators can build a narrower pool of possible owners. Walmart’s robust tracking systems, including SKU-level details and regional distribution records, allow law enforcement to “work backwards” methodically: identify when and where units were sold, trace buyers where possible, and eliminate those with verifiable alibis or no connection to Tucson. Experts familiar with similar retail-assisted investigations describe this as a “promising lead,” emphasizing that even a handful of matches in the local area could yield suspects for interviews or further scrutiny.

The backpack’s role underscores how everyday items can become pivotal in modern cases. The Ozark Trail line, known for affordable outdoor and hiking gear, is popular among campers, hikers, and everyday users in the Southwest’s rugged terrain. Its 25-liter capacity makes it suitable for carrying tools, supplies, or—in this context—potentially items related to the crime. While the suspect also wore a gun holster (possibly Walmart-sourced but not exclusive), the backpack’s uniqueness has made it the priority item.

This development comes amid other investigative efforts. A glove found roughly two miles from the home, matching the style in the footage, has undergone DNA testing, with preliminary results analyzed and official confirmation pending. Searches of desert areas around Tucson continue, and the FBI’s $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return or the perpetrator’s conviction remains active. Anonymous messages sent to media outlets demanding cryptocurrency have been largely dismissed as hoaxes, with one person charged in connection to false ransom claims.

Sheriff Nanos has stressed that the family—including Savannah Guthrie and her siblings—has been fully cooperative and cleared of any involvement. “The family has been nothing but gracious and are victims in this case,” he stated, urging the public to focus on credible tips rather than speculation.

The Walmart collaboration highlights the power of corporate partnerships in missing persons cases, especially when evidence ties to retail products. By pinpointing the backpack’s discontinued status, authorities have gained a temporal and geographic edge, potentially shrinking the suspect pool from thousands to a manageable number for follow-up. Every purchase record, every store visit captured on camera, could hold the key to locating Nancy and resolving one of Arizona’s most high-profile mysteries.

As the search intensifies, the hope remains that this seemingly ordinary item—an affordable black backpack—will lead investigators to the person responsible and bring Nancy home safely.