The backpack found by a local Arizona search party is not related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed.
Several reports over the weekend claimed that a group of volunteers, who gathered in the parking lot of a local Hobby Lobby to search a road not too far from Nancy’s home, had discovered a backpack. The backpack was quickly handed over to authorities.
The Today show addressed the reports during their Monday, February 23, broadcast, with Nanos confirming that the backpack is not the one authorities were looking for.
Nancy, 84, has been missing since February 1. She was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off at her Tucson, Arizona, home by family members.
Earlier this month, the FBI released surveillance footage obtained from Nancy’s home following her abduction. Photos and videos showed the alleged suspect in an all-black outfit and a ski mask while wearing a black backpack.
Nanos stated last week that the backpack could be a clue in finding Nancy.
“That backpack, we could positively now identify as a backpack that is sold at one place only. That’s Walmart,” he told NBC News in an interview released on Tuesday, February 17. “So we’re working with our Walmart managers all across the state to try to find out how many sales were there of that backpack in the last 20, 30 days, the last 60 days.”
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Nanos added, “And can we do something with that? Can we break it — maybe we’ll find a credit card or a bank card. Maybe we’ll find a video of the guy walking in.”
Nanos sat down with NBC News on Friday, February 20, offering more updates on the case. He hinted that authorities are “getting closer” to finding Nancy as the search for Savannah Guthrie’s mom reaches its fourth week.
“In terms of leads and working and getting out there, I think that [the investigation] is still growing, yeah,” Nanos explained. “I think we’re getting closer to identifying some of the other articles, not just that backpack — like the shoes, the pants, the shirt or jacket.”
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Nanos also discussed the DNA found at Nancy’s house — and why it presents “challenges” as the search continues. He explained that it was “mixed” DNA, meaning it’s from more than one person. (Authorities confirmed on February 13 that “DNA other than Nancy Guthrie’s and those in close contact to her” had been discovered at her home.)
“The technology is moving so fast and it’s such a frenzy that they think some of this stuff will resolve itself just in a matter of weeks, months or maybe a year,” Nanos explained on Friday. He admitted the investigation was “not going fast enough” and that there were still “no names” that investigators are looking into.
“It’s never fast enough for the sheriff,” Nanos added. “I want it like you — come on guys, let’s go, let’s go, let’s find her. But the reality is that I also know that sometimes things take time.”
While a suspect hasn’t been named just yet, Nanos still has hope that Nancy will be found.
“We’re not quitting,” he added. “We will find her.”
