A bargain-bin gun holster sold at Walmart for about $10 could become one of the biggest clues yet in the chilling disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
Investigators are zeroing in on a masked man captured on doorbell camera footage outside the Tucson home of the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie. Now, law enforcement experts say a distinctive hip holster strapped awkwardly to the suspect’s waist may help narrow the search.
The grainy video, recovered in a rare tech collaboration between the FBI and Google after Guthrie’s Nest camera footage was not backed up to the cloud, shows a gloved, fully covered man lingering on her porch in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. Authorities later found drops of Guthrie’s blood at the scene. She has not been seen since.
A Miami-area police officer who reviewed the footage said the holster stands out. Despite its pale appearance in infrared video, the expert believes it matches a Strategy brand hip holster sold at select Walmart locations for around $10.
The holster, designed for right-handed users and typically meant to hold a revolver with a 4- to 6.5-inch barrel, features a distinctive retention strap and unique paneling. According to the officer, it’s not especially popular among gun enthusiasts — which could actually help investigators.
“The fewer people who bought it, the better,” the officer said, suggesting purchase records could significantly shrink the suspect pool.
As of this weekend, the holster was reportedly in stock at several Tucson-area Walmart stores, including locations on East Speedway Boulevard and North La Cholla Boulevard. Investigators could cross-reference recent purchases in the region with other evidence already collected.
Adding another layer to the mystery, the suspect was also seen carrying an Ozark Trail backpack — another Walmart-exclusive item. Unlike the holster, the backpack is widely available and commonly purchased, making it less helpful as a standalone clue. But together, the two items could prove powerful.
Retired police sergeant and trainer Betsy Brantner Smith said the suspect’s gear suggests someone improvising — not a polished criminal mastermind.
“I don’t think this guy was a professional,” she said. “His demeanor suggests he was involved in the kidnapping, the home invasion — whatever it ultimately turns out to be.”
The FBI has classified the case as a kidnapping. A $100,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, billboards have gone up as far away as Albuquerque, urging the public to come forward with tips. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says all possibilities remain on the table.
Nearly two weeks after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her northern Tucson home, investigators are still chasing leads. And now, a $10 holster could be the unexpected detail that cracks the case wide open.
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