Nancy Guthrie’s Son-In-Law Could Be Suspect In Disappearance: Report

The investigation into the apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie, took a dramatic turn Tuesday night after a veteran television journalist reported that a close family member has emerged as a potential suspect.

Ashleigh Banfield, former host of Banfield on NewsNation, reported that Tommaso Cioni — Savannah Guthrie’s brother-in-law — has been identified by police as a person of interest, citing a trusted law enforcement source. Banfield emphasized that the information is based on active investigative developments and has not yet resulted in charges.

According to Banfield, Cioni is married to Annie Guthrie, Savannah’s sister, and the couple were the last known individuals to have seen Nancy alive on Saturday night. Annie reportedly had dinner with her mother that evening, though it remains unclear whether Cioni was present, according to TMZ.

Family members contacted law enforcement Sunday morning after Nancy failed to attend her regular church service — an absence described as highly unusual and immediately alarming.

Banfield also reported that investigators have towed Annie’s vehicle, which she said has “some connection” to the 50-year-old Cioni. Adding to the concern, Banfield noted that all security cameras at Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home were found damaged.

On Tuesday, NewsNation aired video footage showing a visible trail of blood leading up to the front steps of the residence. The Los Angeles Times later reported that blood recovered at the scene was confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie.

TMZ has also received an alleged ransom note from unidentified individuals demanding payment for Nancy’s release. Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are investigating the authenticity of the note as part of a rapidly expanding, multi-agency probe.

Authorities believe Nancy was taken from her home in the middle of the night over the weekend. Investigators have stressed that time is critical due to her age and fragile health. Nancy is 84, in poor physical condition, and does not have access to the daily medication she requires, according to TMZ.

Another chilling clue emerged from health-tracking data. Nancy’s pacemaker reportedly stopped syncing with her Apple Watch early Sunday morning.

Fox News was informed by law enforcement that the implanted heart device stopped transmitting data to the watch around 2 a.m. Investigators later found the Apple Watch still inside the house, indicating that the pacemaker moved out of Bluetooth range at that time.

Apple Watches can connect to medical devices such as pacemakers via Bluetooth, allowing users to monitor vital signs. Pacemakers are surgically implanted devices that regulate irregular heart rhythms by sending electrical signals to the heart.

The Apple Watch data provides investigators with a potential timeline for the abduction and has intensified scrutiny of reporting from the Daily Mail, which described Guthrie being dragged from her bed in the middle of the night.

Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home around 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Friends grew concerned when she failed to appear at church the following morning.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told the Daily Mail that he believes Guthrie was kidnapped and confirmed investigators uncovered “concerning” evidence of foul play inside the residence.

Nanos also warned that Guthrie’s medical condition makes the situation especially dire, noting she must take medication daily and could die without it.

Fox News contributor and former FBI special agent Nicole Parker said the facts point away from a random crime.

She argued that Savannah Guthrie’s mother was likely abducted by someone with a “deep grievance” rather than a “stranger.”

During his program this week, Fox News host Sean Hannity addressed the case directly.

“I know from discussions we’ve had on the air, off the air, over the years, that, you know, when you talk to victims, how hard this is. And I mean it when I say I’m praying for Savannah, her mother, I want her back. What frustrates me is why — and she deserves all the attention,” Hannity said.

“I agree with you. I want Savannah Guthrie’s mother to be returned alive as well. And I do believe that all of the names that you scroll, those lives matter, Sean. They matter very, very much. And they may not be from famous families or famous talk show hosts, but you know what? They matter,” Parker responded.

As investigators race against the clock, officials have cautioned that the case remains fluid, with no arrests announced and all findings still under active review.