Police say Tommaso Cioni is not a suspect as Tucson search for Nancy Guthrie intensifies

Authorities in southern Arizona say Tommaso Cioni is not a suspect in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of morning television anchor Savannah Guthrie, as investigators expand a search they now describe as a suspected abduction. The clarification came amid a surge of online speculation that pushed Cioni’s name into national headlines just as detectives intensified forensic work and appeals for time-stamped video around the Tucson neighborhood where Nancy Guthrie vanished.

Nancy Guthrie has been missing since the weekend, and investigators continue to emphasize two urgent points: her whereabouts remain unknown, and she relies on critical medication that makes time a life-and-death factor.

Why police addressed Tommaso Cioni rumors

Cioni is married to Savannah Guthrie’s sister, Annie, making him Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law and Savannah Guthrie’s brother-in-law. His name became a focal point online because he was among the last family members known to have seen Nancy before she disappeared.

In public comments and written statements, investigators have pushed back on claims that Cioni is a “prime suspect” or that a suspect has been identified at all. Authorities say they are interviewing anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie in the relevant window as part of standard investigative work, but they have not named a suspect or person of interest.

The department’s message has been blunt: rumor does not help locate a missing person, and misinformation can swamp tip lines with noise that slows progress on usable leads.

The Tucson timeline investigators are working from

Detectives are building a tight timeline focused on late Saturday night, January 31, into early Sunday, February 1. Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:45 p.m. local time Saturday when she was dropped off at home after an evening with family. She was reported missing midday Sunday after she did not show up for church, which relatives say was routine for her.

Her home is in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, close to the Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue corridor. Investigators say signs at the residence indicate she did not leave voluntarily, and they have treated the property as a crime scene while collecting evidence and reviewing video.

What investigators say about evidence at the home

Officials have said there are signs consistent with forced entry at Nancy Guthrie’s home. Investigators have also referenced biological evidence found at or near the residence and said forensic testing is underway, with some processing taking place outside the immediate area due to capacity constraints.

Authorities returned to the home again this week for additional searches, underscoring that the case remains active and that detectives are still working to refine the timeline and identify where Nancy Guthrie may have been taken.

Federal law enforcement is assisting with technical and analytical support, including data work that can help corroborate timelines and locations.

Ransom note claims and the push for proof of life

Public discussion has been fueled by claims of a “ransom note” connected to the case. Authorities have confirmed they are evaluating communications and alleged notes that have surfaced, but they have not publicly authenticated any note or confirmed details such as an amount, payment method, or deadline.

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (ET), Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video appeal directed both to the public and to whoever may be holding their mother. The family said they are “ready to talk,” but asked for proof Nancy is alive, noting that manipulated audio and imagery can complicate verification.

The request for proof of life is a key moment in the public posture of the case, reflecting both urgency and caution: communicate, but confirm.

What the public can do that helps right now

Investigators continue to stress that specific, verifiable information matters most. The most useful submissions are original files with timestamps and clear location context—especially footage that captures vehicles or people near Nancy Guthrie’s home during the overnight window.

Key takeaways

• Authorities say no suspect has been identified and Tommaso Cioni is not a suspect.

• Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will and are treating the home as a crime scene.

• Officials are evaluating alleged ransom communications, but no details have been publicly confirmed.

• The family is asking for proof of life and urging anyone with direct information to contact law enforcement.

Rewards have also been used to encourage actionable tips, including a locally posted amount tied to information leading to an arrest, and a separate larger reward offer announced by supporters outside Arizona.

What happens next

The near-term direction of the investigation is likely to hinge on three tracks: forensic results from the scene, high-quality video that narrows the timeline, and any direct communication that can be verified and traced.

Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that the goal is first to locate Nancy Guthrie. Identifying who is responsible comes next, but the immediate focus remains finding her quickly and safely, especially given her health needs.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, CBS News, Arizona’s Family, The Hollywood Reporter