On Sunday, February 22, volunteers assisting with the search for Nancy Guthrie discovered a backpack not far from the missing 84-year-old’s home in Tucson, Arizona.
The black backpack, which one volunteer was photographed carrying using a large rod so as not to contaminate it with fingerprints, was quickly turned over to law enforcement.
The hope of those who have been following the case all over the country was that it could be the same backpack carried by a potential suspect in the case, who was captured on video surveillance that was released to the public. Such a critical discovery could prove useful to detectives as they continue to work to find out who may have taken Nancy.
Unfortunately, as the Pima County Sheriff's Department shared on Tuesday, the backpack is most likely not related to the case due to several factors.
The backpack is currently not being considered a “viable lead” in the case because it does not appear to be the same brand of backpack seen in the surveillance video. Additionally, it "appears to have been outside for much longer than three weeks" and "contained identification of a minor within it."
This announcement comes as a disappointment to many who have been desperately hoping for some lead in the case, which has now been going on for over three weeks.
Nancy, the mother of TODAY show anchor Savannah Guthrie, was first reported missing by family members on February 1. It is believed that she was taken from her home against her will. The question of who took her and why remains a mystery.
Law enforcement has revealed that they have found some evidence at the scene, including DNA on Nancy’s property. However, because the DNA comes from multiple people, it has been difficult to trace.
There was also a black glove discovered around two miles away from Nancy’s home. DNA was discovered on the glove and has been sent in for testing. The results of the testing have not been publicly disclosed.
