Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Missing As Investigation Focuses On Family

The quiet, sun-drenched streets of Tucson, Arizona, have been rocked by the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie. The case, which began as a missing person report, has swiftly escalated into a high-profile criminal investigation—one that is drawing national attention and stirring deep concern both within the Guthrie family and among the public at large.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of January 31, 2026, when her daughter Annie Guthrie dropped her off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area around 9:45 PM, according to US Weekly. Annie, who lives nearby with her husband Tommaso Cioni, reported no “red flags” at the time of the drop-off. But by the next day, Nancy had vanished without a trace. Her vehicle and cell phone were left behind, and, crucially, she did not have with her the medication she needs daily—medication she cannot go without for more than 24 hours, as highlighted by Soap Opera Spy.

As the days passed, the case took a darker turn. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, speaking with journalist Ashleigh Banfield on her true crime podcast Drop Dead Serious, confirmed that authorities now believe Nancy was removed from her home against her will. “There is definitely in our eyes, and in our belief, evidence that shows and suggests that she was removed from that home,” Sheriff Nanos stated. He also emphasized that Nancy, while “sharp as a tack” mentally, is physically frail—she cannot walk more than 50 yards unaided. The sheriff’s office has officially designated her home as a crime scene.

The investigation quickly ramped up. Detectives recovered DNA evidence at the scene, which was sent to Phoenix for rapid testing in the hope of identifying potential suspects. Yet, as Sheriff Nanos explained, backlogs and technical issues have slowed the process. In the meantime, the search effort has been scaled back, with the focus shifting to a criminal investigation that now leans heavily on digital forensics—scrutinizing surveillance footage and analyzing data from tech giants like Apple and Google, who are assisting the authorities.

While the police have not publicly named any suspects, a startling development emerged on February 4, 2026. On her podcast, Ashleigh Banfield cited a law enforcement source claiming that Nancy’s son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, “may be” a prime suspect in the case. Banfield explained, “My law enforcement source told me that police have now towed and impounded the vehicle belonging to Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, Annie Guthrie. This is important because you’ve heard that the last point of contact with Nancy Guthrie was when she was dropped off by her daughter at 9:45ish at night on Saturday night. And there is some connection to Annie Guthrie’s car and Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law. That would be Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, age 50, from Tucson, Arizona, married to Annie P. Guthrie, Savannah’s sister. And my law enforcement source tells me that Tommaso Cioni is the prime suspect in this case.”

Banfield reiterated that these claims have not been officially confirmed by police, and no charges have been filed. Nonetheless, the detail that Annie’s car was impounded and that focus has shifted to a family member has only intensified public scrutiny and speculation. According to Banfield, Cioni is a teacher at Basis Oro Valley School, where he instructs sixth grade science and AP biology. His background, as detailed on the Italian Tapirulan Cultural Association’s website, paints a portrait of a man with diverse interests: “Since 2006, I have lived in Tucson, Arizona. I write when I have the chance. I study lizards. I play the electric bass. I make homemade pasta.”

The Guthrie family, meanwhile, has been thrust into the spotlight in a way no one would envy. Savannah Guthrie, age 54, immediately paused her preparations to lead NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, instead flying to Arizona to support the investigation. She missed the Today show broadcasts on February 3 and 4, and issued a heartfelt statement read on air, thanking viewers for their “thoughts, prayers, and support.” On Instagram, Savannah pleaded for prayers and for anyone with information to come forward, hoping for her mother’s safe return.

Public reaction has been swift and emotional. Social media and comment sections have filled with messages of support and horror at the idea of an elderly woman being abducted from her own home. One commenter wrote, “This is awful. I feel terrible for her family. Who on earth would abduct an 84-year-old woman? My mom and I were very close, and I can’t imagine how her family is coping.” Others expressed shock and compassion, with many offering prayers and urging the authorities to leave no stone unturned.

Adding to the anxiety is the knowledge that Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is not a case of dementia or wandering off. As both the sheriff and Banfield emphasized, Nancy is mentally sharp. Her physical limitations and the fact that all her essential belongings were left behind point away from voluntary departure and toward foul play. Authorities have asked the public to report any suspicious activity or vehicles seen near Nancy’s home on the night of January 31.

The Guthrie family’s ordeal is compounded by the uncertainty and the lack of answers. Annie Guthrie, the last person to see her mother, remains at the center of the investigation, though she has not been named as a suspect. The entire family, including Savannah’s brother Charles Camron Guthrie, a retired F-16 pilot, is reportedly working closely with law enforcement and holding out hope for a breakthrough.

So far, the only concrete leads are the DNA evidence sent for testing and the impounded vehicle. The case has become a focal point for true crime enthusiasts and the national media, both because of the Guthrie family’s prominence and the chilling nature of the crime. The broader Tucson community, too, is on edge, with many residents unsettled by the idea that such a crime could occur in their midst.

As the investigation proceeds, the Guthrie family and law enforcement continue to appeal for information, hoping that someone will come forward with a clue that could unravel the mystery. For now, the fate of Nancy Guthrie remains unknown, and the search for answers presses on, fueled by a family’s determination and a community’s concern.

The story of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is far from over, but every new detail brings hope that the truth—however difficult—will soon come to light.