Follow us on Google Discover
Frustrated volunteers searching for missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie have taken matters into their own hands, scouring desert ditches and homeless encampments near her Tucson home in a determined push for answers.
On Sunday morning, that effort produced a potentially critical discovery, The New York Post reports. A torn black backpack was found just two miles from the 84-year-old’s home, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
The discovery comes more than three weeks after Nancy was reported missing on Feb. 1, with no suspects or persons of interest identified so far and authorities preparing to scale back official search operations in the coming days.
Nancy Guthrie (left) and Savannah Guthrie (right). Credit: Don Arnold / Getty
Nancy Guthrie (left) and Savannah Guthrie (right). Credit: Don Arnold / Getty
Backpack found in storm drain near her home
The black Swiss Gear-brand backpack was discovered around 11AM. Sunday in a storm drain that doubles as a homeless encampment. The location sits just off West Orange Grove Road, close to State Route 77, a short drive from Nancy’s home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood north of Tucson.
Volunteer Catherine Lopez made the find inside the tunnel and immediately contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy arrived roughly 15 minutes later.
Photographs from the scene show Lopez holding the damaged backpack with a large stick while speaking on the phone to authorities. Another image captures a Pima County deputy wearing gloves and carefully picking up the closed bag near a patrol car.
Two homeless individuals were reportedly inside the storm drain when the backpack was discovered. However, the arrival of deputies appeared to startle them, and they fled the scene.
Questions over whether it matches earlier footage
It does not appear to be the same backpack worn by the masked individual seen in surveillance footage from Nancy’s Nest camera earlier this month.
Investigators previously identified that backpack as a black Ozark Trail Hiker model sold exclusively at Walmart.
In addition to Sunday’s backpack discovery, another glove was found nearby just off North First Avenue, adding to the growing list of items now under review.
Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty
Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty
Pressure mounts as search scaled back
The latest development comes as Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos faces accusations that his ego is derailing the hunt for Nancy.
Nancy is the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, 54, who flew to Arizona at the start of the month to assist with search efforts. Nancy was last seen by her family on Jan. 31.
With more than three weeks having passed since she was reported missing, authorities are expected to reduce search operations in the coming days, even as volunteers continue combing the area for clues.
