Tommaso Cioni is Savannah Guthrie’s brother-in-law and has drawn public attention after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared from her Arizona home. Here’s what you need to know.
February 16, 2016, Update: Pima County Sheriff Addresses Rumors Concerning Tommaso Cioni’s Possible Involvement in the Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed speculation surrounding Tommaso Cioni, the husband of Savannah Guthrie’s sister Annie Guthrie, amid the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie.
Cioni became the subject of early online speculation because he was the last known person to see Nancy before she disappeared on February 1. However, Sheriff Nanos pushed back on accusations circulating publicly.
While speaking to the Daily Mail, Nanos said he “understands” why some observers have pointed to Cioni but emphasized that no one has been officially named a suspect or person of interest.
“If he is guilty, if he’s the one who did it, and we’re able to prove that, then at that time jump on it but don’t come out of nowhere with this,” Nanos said.
The sheriff added that he is concerned about damaging speculation directed at someone who may be innocent.
“I understand the pundits are out there. They’re gonna say, well, he’s the last one to see her alive. We understand that stuff. But, my goodness, you’re putting a mark on somebody who could be completely innocent. And more important than that, he’s family,” Nanos said.
He also criticized what he described as harmful commentary circulating without verified facts.
“People out there can get pretty ugly and mean and nasty and not have the facts. I tell my journalists, you guys need to be a little more responsible… because that’s just really nasty stuff,” he said.
Authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84. The search in Tucson, Arizona, has now entered its third week.
February 10, 2026, Update: Authorities Search Tommaso Cioni & Annie Guthrie’s Home During Nancy Guthrie Investigation
On day seven of the search (February 9) for Nancy Guthrie, law enforcement conducted a search at the home of her oldest daughter, Annie Guthrie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, in the Tucson, Arizona area, according to TMZ.
The home, which Annie and Cioni share, is located approximately four miles from Nancy’s residence. According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Nancy had visited the couple’s home for dinner on Saturday, January 31, arriving by Uber earlier in the evening. Authorities said Cioni later drove Nancy back to her home that night.
Investigators believe Nancy was abducted from her home sometime during the overnight hours.
Deputies arrived at Annie and Cioni’s home on Saturday night and remained there for nearly three hours. From the street, camera flashes could be seen inside the house as investigators photographed areas of the home. When deputies exited, they were observed wearing blue gloves and carrying bags believed to contain evidence.
NBC News reported that the home search was conducted with consent, meaning investigators did not require a warrant.
Former CIA and FBI special agent Tracy Walder told People that officers were seen carrying “evidence processing tools” in a white case. Walder also confirmed that the brown paper bag carried by one of the deputies was used to collect evidence.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed what, if anything, was recovered during the search.
February 8, 2026, Update: Law Enforcement Activity & Ransom Demand in Nancy Guthrie Search
As the search continues for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, law enforcement activity has drawn attention to the Tucson home of Savannah’s sister, Annie Guthrie, and her husband, Tommaso Cioni.
Videos circulating on social media show authorities at Annie’s residence, with camera flashes visible as deputies appeared to document the scene. One X user claimed Annie and Tommaso were not home at the time.
Journalist Brian Entin reported on X that deputies remained at the home for several hours while investigating. “Flashes still going off in Annie Guthrie’s home. Definitely taking photos,” Entin wrote. In a later update, he added, “All the deputies have left Annie Guthrie’s house. The last one came out wearing blue gloves. They were inside for about 3 hours.”
Amid the investigation, a local television station reported that individuals claiming to have kidnapped Nancy Guthrie are demanding $6 million in Bitcoin.
“Multiple ransom notes have been sent out to the media, including one that was sent to us,” JJ McKinney of KGUN9 said. “In the letter, the potential kidnappers demanded that the Guthries pay them $6 million before this Monday.”
Savannah later appeared in a joint message alongside her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, pleading publicly for their mother’s return.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in an Instagram video.
“We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her,” she continued, adding that their mother’s return is “very valuable to us” and confirming, “we will pay.”
“This is the only way we will have peace,” Savannah said.
1. Savannah Gurthrie’s Brother-in-Law May Have Been the Last Person to See Nancy Guthrie
Authorities say Cioni could be the final person known to have seen Nancy before she vanished.
According to Pima County Sheriff’s Department Sheriff Chris Nanos, Nancy went to dinner with her daughter and Cioni on Saturday night. Cioni then drove Nancy back to her Catalina Foothills home around 9:30 p.m. local time.
Nanos told The New York Times that Cioni made sure Nancy was “safely” inside before leaving.
Investigators said a doorbell camera disconnected around 1:47 a.m. Sunday. The system detected a person at approximately 2:12 a.m., but no footage exists because the homeowner did not have a subscription. Authorities now believe Nancy may have been taken from her home overnight.
Police confirmed they have not identified any suspects.
“We have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case,” officials said in a statement shared with TMZ. “Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie.”
2. Tommaso Cioni Is Married to Annie Guthrie & They Share 1 Son
Cioni is married to Savannah’s sister, Annie Guthrie, and the couple has one child together. He is of Italian descent and has lived in Arizona since 2006, not far from Nancy’s home.
While the pair keep their relationship mostly private, Annie once publicly praised her husband.
“My husband Tommaso Cioni is my greatest teacher,” she told Women’s Quarterly Conversation in 2013. “He is a great manifester; he writes poetry with his lifestyle.”
Photos on Annie’s social media show the family traveling together, including a trip to Italy in 2021.
3. Tommaso Cioni Works as a Teacher in Tucson
Cioni appears to work as a science teacher in Tucson, Arizona, and has spent more than a decade in education.
According to a profile associated with BASIS Oro Valley, he teaches sixth-grade science and biology.
In a 2015 interview shared by the school, Cioni explained what drives him in the classroom.
“I love the fact that I am able to share my passion for learning with my students,” he said. “Since I teach 6th grade and AP Biology, I love seeing them growing from pre-teens to young adults.”
He also credited his parents as role models, adding, “My dad taught me the love for nature… My mom taught me the love for cooking.”
4. He Describes Himself as a Writer, Musician & Pasta Maker
In a personal bio read aloud on Ashleigh Banfield’s podcast, Cioni described his interests simply: “I write when I have the chance. I study lizards. I play the electric bass. I make homemade pasta.”
When asked what he would do if he weren’t teaching, Cioni joked he’d be a “rock star,” before adding more seriously that he’d likely become a herpetologist.
5. Savannah Guthrie’s Brother-in-Law Appeared in a Christmas Photo With Nancy Guthrie & the Rest of the Family
Just weeks before her disappearance, Nancy shared a family photo on Facebook taken on Christmas Day 2025.
Cioni stood beside his mother-in-law, holding a black dog, with the entire family wearing matching pajamas.
“Merry Christmas sweet ones,” Nancy wrote in the caption.
Now, as investigators continue searching for answers, that photo stands as one of the last public glimpses of Nancy surrounded by family.
Think it through people! The TMZ ransom note stated if Bitcoin funds were paid the kidnapper will return Nancy back to Tuscon
If son-in-law Thommaso Cioni kidnapped Nancy Guthrie – then he supposedly would drop her back to Tuscon, right?
Then — what would Nancy do? Tell everyone who kidnapped her!
If he is guilty he would have to kill her as otherwise he’s in jail for the rest of his life. Therefore, he can’t be guilty.
If he receives the ransom payment in bitcoin, he just kills her. Just because he gets his ransom, doesn’t mean he has to return her. He could be guilty. Do you really believe criminals play by the rules?
He wouldn’t kidnap her himself. Check his friends from italy. See who has bit coin connections. Check italians the flew in and are still here at several airports. see if anyone rented a white van from an airport close by.
I just think it beggs the question why he did not ‘enter’ her home with her as she walks with a cane and clear her house first before leaving her alone. I think the intruder was already in her home. My brother’s would never leave my mom to walk into her home after ‘dropping’ her off. It’s what you do for your mom and mine passed at 92. Seems weird to me.