A backpack discovered during an informal volunteer search for Nancy Guthrie is not linked to her disappearance.

The bag was discovered on Sunday, February 22, close to Nancy’s Tucson, Arizona home, prompting speculation that it was a possible source of evidence. Pima County Sheriff’s Department retrieved the backpack from the volunteers and stressed that it was not likely.

Department spokesperson Kevin Adger told The Arizona Republic, “The backpack that was located by volunteers yesterday was collected by a deputy and examined at a nearby substation. After reviewing the bag and its contents, it does not appear that this is a viable lead for the investigation. The bag appears to have been outside for much longer than three weeks. It also contained identification of a minor within it.”

It comes after an ex-FBI agent revealed the hidden codeword that Savannah used in her message to the kidnappers.

Adger then encouraged the public to continue submitting tips by calling the department’s non-emergency line at 520-351-4900 or 1-800-CALL-FBI. Video footage of the subject of interest in 84-year-old Nancy’s disappearance showed them wearing a backpack as they tampered with her doorbell camera.

Video footage shared on X showed a deputy placing the gray backpack in the back of a patrol car; however, an insignia on the back appeared to be different from the black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack that the FBI previously identified as the one worn by Nancy’s possible abductor.

Michael Ruiz, a Fox News Digital correspondent, provided a detailed account of volunteers searching and the discovery of the backpack. He shared on X, “A volunteer search team is expected to hit the ground this morning. The combined reward for information that cracks the case exceeds $200K. More as we get it.”

Approximately an hour afterward, along with a photo of searchers, Ruiz stated, “Down here at the Oracle Rd Hobby Lobby – looks to be MSM and streamers outnumbering a couple of volunteers.

“The search hasn’t kicked off yet. Participants are being told not to touch anything, but rather to photograph potential clues and send them to a Gmail account. Searchers were also instructed NOT to bring black gloves.”

An hour later, Ruiz posted, “The search is now underway,” accompanied by an image of volunteers combing through a rocky terrain. The Fox News reporter noted in another update, “I’m told the searchers are looking for evidence like the suspected kidnapper’s gloves, mask, discarded clothing, or backpack.

“They’ve been instructed not to touch anything, take photos, and send them in to a central Gmail address set up for this purpose by an unidentified organizer.”

At approximately 11 a.m., Ruiz provided another update on the group’s search activities. Next to a photo of a searcher displaying a backpack, he stated, “They picked up a Swissgear brand backpack in a drainage ditch.”

Ruiz explained that the bag has been “reported to authorities,” and that the team discovered it “inside a drainage tunnel under Orange Grove Rd.” He continued, “The search group split into 3-4 teams. They declined to share specific locations.” Soon afterward, the reporter confirmed that deputies had arrived to retrieve the backpack.

Nancy has been missing since she vanished from her home in the early hours of February 1.