Today : Feb 04, 2026
U.S. News
04 February 2026

FBI Investigates Disappearance Of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother

Authorities escalate the search for Nancy Guthrie after signs of abduction emerge, as scrutiny falls on family and new details surface in the Tucson case.

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gripped Tucson, Arizona and drawn national attention as the investigation intensifies. What began as a missing person case has quickly escalated into a suspected abduction, with local authorities and the FBI working in tandem to unravel the mystery. The family’s heartbreak and the mounting pressure on law enforcement have created an atmosphere of urgency and unease, as each new detail raises more questions than answers.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, when her daughter Annie Guthrie dropped her off at home after dinner. According to US Weekly and Page Six, Annie, a writer and jeweler who lives nearby in Tucson’s upscale Catalina Foothills with her husband Tommaso Cioni, was the last known person to see Nancy. The following day, Nancy failed to attend a scheduled event, prompting her family to report her missing. When police arrived at her residence, they made a series of disturbing discoveries.

Authorities found blood stains and clear signs of forced entry at Nancy’s home, according to livemint.com. DNA samples were collected, heightening fears that Nancy had not simply wandered off but had been taken against her will. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the media on February 3, stating, “We do believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will.” He added, “We have all kinds of investigative leads we are working on,” but declined to offer further specifics about the direction of the case.

The evidence inside the house only deepened the mystery. Nancy’s wallet and phone were left behind, but her daily medication was missing—a crucial detail, given her age and health needs. According to CBS News, these facts suggested to investigators that Nancy did not leave voluntarily, and her absence without medication made the situation even more urgent.

As the investigation shifted from a missing person to a suspected abduction, law enforcement ramped up their efforts. The FBI joined local authorities, deploying drones, K9 units, and aerial teams to search the surrounding area. Despite these efforts, there have been no confirmed sightings of Nancy. The family’s anxiety has only grown, as each day without answers raises the stakes for Nancy’s safe return.

Amid the search, the focus has also turned to the people closest to Nancy. Annie Guthrie, her daughter, has been under particular scrutiny—not as a suspect, but as the last person to see her mother. On February 3, FBI agents and sheriff’s deputies spent two hours at Annie’s home, with Savannah Guthrie reportedly present as well, according to Page Six. Officials have remained tight-lipped about the purpose of the visit, declining to comment on the specifics of the investigation.

Adding another layer of intrigue, journalist Ashleigh Banfield reported on her show Drop Dead Serious that law enforcement seized Annie Guthrie’s vehicle as part of the investigation. Banfield further claimed, referencing a law enforcement source, that Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, is under consideration as a primary suspect. However, as HT.com and Men’s Journal both emphasize, no official statement has confirmed this, and the claims remain unverified. The rumors have nonetheless cast a shadow over the family, fueling speculation and public interest in the case.

There have also been unconfirmed rumors of a ransom demand, possibly involving cryptocurrency, though authorities have not publicly acknowledged any such communication. This potential financial motive, if proven, could offer a new direction for investigators, but for now, it remains one of several theories being explored.

The Guthrie family has been thrust into the spotlight, with Savannah Guthrie taking a leave of absence from her high-profile television duties to focus on the search for her mother. The family has publicly urged anyone with information to come forward, hoping that community vigilance might yield a breakthrough.

Amid the chaos, Annie Guthrie’s relationship with her mother has drawn attention. Described by Women’s Quarterly Conversation as a writer, jeweler, and Marketing Director at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, Annie has often spoken about the family’s closeness. She once described Nancy as “our bright north star,” a sentiment echoed during appearances on the Today Show. Annie praised her mother’s resilience after the tragic loss of their father to a heart attack, saying, “I feel like my mom did such a unique and amazing job to create this foundation for us.” She added, “To know how to be a good sister is to know how to be a good friend. My sister and I are like the sun and the moon. Her sorrows are my sorrows. And her successes are my successes.”

Annie’s professional life has also come into focus. She curated the national symposium “Poetry off the Page,” works as Marketing and Publicity Director for Kore Press, and operates a commission-only jewelry business at the Splinter Brothers warehouse. Her husband, Tommaso Cioni, whom she described as “my greatest teacher” and “a great manifester,” has been supportive of her creative pursuits. Annie’s book of poetry, The Good Dark, was celebrated by Savannah at a book party, with Savannah describing the work as “good and dark and complicated, and captivating, never obvious, always challenging, speaking to you directly . . . pointedly and poignantly.”

Nancy Guthrie is the mother of three children: Annie, Savannah (the youngest), and Charles Camron Guthrie, a retired F-16 pilot. The family’s deep bond has been a source of strength as they navigate this crisis, but the uncertainty and speculation have taken their toll. Annie’s public expressions of love and admiration for her mother have been widely shared, underscoring the emotional weight of the situation.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement remains tight-lipped about leads and possible suspects. The involvement of the FBI and the use of advanced search technologies signal the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case. While the community rallies around the Guthrie family, the unanswered questions about what happened on the night of January 31 linger.

With each passing day, the urgency to find Nancy Guthrie grows. Her age, health condition, and the circumstances of her disappearance make the case especially pressing. The Guthrie family, supported by friends, colleagues, and a concerned public, continues to hope for Nancy’s safe return. For now, the search presses on, with investigators determined to bring clarity—and, hopefully, closure—to this harrowing ordeal.