Nancy Guthrie Investigation: Walmart Clothing Clue Emerges as Family Members Cleared
As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie enters its third week, investigators are honing in on critical evidence related to the clothing worn by her alleged captor, while officially clearing family members from suspicion. The case, which has gripped national attention, involves the abduction of Savannah Guthrie's mother from her $1 million home in Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1.
Walmart-Purchased Clothing Identified as Key Lead
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has revealed that the clothing and face mask worn by the suspect, captured in chilling doorbell footage tampering with Nancy's camera before it was disconnected, were purchased at Walmart. The suspect's backpack has also been identified as a black Ozark Trail Hiker, a product sold exclusively at Walmart. Sheriff Nanos stated that it remains unclear whether these items were bought in-store or online, prompting investigators to comb through surveillance footage from local Walmart stores.
Walmart has reportedly provided investigators with comprehensive records of all Ozark Trail Hiker purchases, both online and in-store, over the past several months. This data includes sales beyond the Tucson area, broadening the scope of the investigation as authorities seek to trace the origins of these items.
DNA Testing on Gloves Adds to Evidence Pool
In a parallel development, investigators are conducting DNA tests on a pair of gloves that appear to match those worn by the unidentified masked captor in the doorbell video. According to the FBI, nearly 16 gloves were collected near Nancy Guthrie's home, with most discarded by searchers at the site. This forensic analysis could provide crucial links to the perpetrator as the probe intensifies.
Family Members Officially Cleared from Suspicion
NBC reporter Liz Kreutz announced on Monday morning that investigators are 'leaning away' from any of Nancy Guthrie's family members as suspects. This update, shared on Savannah Guthrie's own TV show, comes after online speculation swirled around Savannah's sister, Annie Guthrie, and her brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, who were among the last to see Nancy before her disappearance.
Kreutz cited two law enforcement sources confirming that the probe is also distancing from a Tucson family whose house was raided by SWAT on Friday and the driver of a Range Rover stopped by the FBI the same evening. Officials emphasized that investigators are not considering Nancy's relatives as potential suspects, shifting focus squarely onto the unidentified individual seen in the doorbell footage.
Ongoing Search and Investigation Efforts
The investigation continues to unfold with heightened urgency as authorities pursue leads related to the Walmart-purchased items and forensic evidence. The community remains on alert, with law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward. As details emerge, the case underscores the challenges in solving high-profile abductions while highlighting the meticulous work of investigators in piecing together clues from surveillance, DNA, and retail records.
