Nancy Guthrie missing in Tucson as investigators confirm blood evidence, seek proof of life
The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television anchor Savannah Guthrie, intensified Thursday as investigators confirmed that blood found at Nancy Guthrie’s home matches her DNA. Authorities say there is still no verified proof of life, no named suspect, and no publicly identified person of interest, while the family urges whoever has her to make contact and provide confirmation she is alive.
Who is Savannah Guthrie and who is Nancy Guthrie?
Savannah Guthrie is a longtime U.S. television journalist and morning-show co-host. Her mother, Nancy Guthrie, is a retired schoolteacher and grandmother described by family and officials as mentally sharp but physically fragile and dependent on medication.
The public interest in the case has surged because of Savannah Guthrie’s national profile, but law enforcement has emphasized the investigation remains focused on the facts and on recovering Nancy safely.
Last-seen details and the early-morning disruption
Investigators say Nancy Guthrie was last seen late Saturday night, January 31, 2026 (ET), when she was dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Officials have said her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni (married to Savannah’s sister Annie), drove her home and waited until she was inside.
Authorities have described signs that something went wrong in the early hours of Sunday, February 1 (ET). Among the details discussed publicly: a doorbell camera was removed, and Nancy’s pacemaker monitoring connection dropped around the same overnight window. Her absence became clear later Sunday when she did not appear for her usual church plans, prompting family and friends to raise alarms.
What investigators found at the home
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 (ET), the Pima County sheriff said blood discovered on the front porch was confirmed through DNA testing to belong to Nancy Guthrie. Officials have treated the home as a crime scene and have indicated the circumstances point to her being taken against her will.
Investigators have also acknowledged the existence of ransom communications circulating publicly, but authorities have warned that these messages have not produced verified proof of life and have not, by themselves, established who is responsible. The sheriff stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that officials are still working through leads, evidence, and tips.
The family’s public plea and the “proof of life” focus
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made direct public appeals asking for a way to confirm their mother is alive and to open communication. Their message has been consistent: Nancy needs medication, time matters, and they want a safe recovery above anything else.
Law enforcement has echoed that urgency. Investigators have said Nancy’s health needs raise the risk level as the days pass, and they have asked anyone with relevant information—such as suspicious activity in the neighborhood overnight Saturday into Sunday—to come forward.
The Tommaso Cioni chatter and what’s actually confirmed
Online speculation has centered on Tommaso Cioni because officials have said he was the last known person to see Nancy Guthrie. That fact alone has fueled rumor. Publicly, authorities have not named him a suspect and have not announced any arrest tied to her disappearance.
Officials have described the case as wide open, with the sheriff indicating that investigators are scrutinizing all plausible leads. The most concrete public statements so far remain limited to timeline facts (drop-off late Saturday), the crime-scene posture, and the DNA confirmation.
A separate arrest tied to a fake ransom demand
Authorities have also announced a separate federal case involving a man accused of sending a phony ransom demand while impersonating someone connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Officials said this activity created noise around an already urgent investigation and did not constitute verified communication from whoever may be responsible for Nancy’s disappearance.
This development matters because it underscores how quickly high-profile cases attract hoaxes, and why investigators keep emphasizing: proof of life and verifiable information are the priority.
Sources consulted: Associated Press, CBS News, The Guardian, People Magazine
