Tucson, Arizona, is holding its breath. Neighbors are praying. Friends are waiting. And a family is clinging to hope that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie will walk back through her front door. Nancy, the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Tucson home on February 1. Now, as the search enters its third week, the weight of uncertainty feels even heavier.
Rumors and unverified claims have begun flooding social media, with speculation spreading faster than confirmed facts. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is urging the public to pause and show restraint.
Sheriff Urges Public Not to Rush Judgment on Tommaso Cioni
NBCUniversalNanos said he recognizes why attention has turned toward Nancy’s son-in-law in the early days of the investigation. But he stressed that suspicion should never harden into blame without evidence.
Tommaso Cioni, who is married to Savannah’s sister Annie, was the last known person to see Nancy before she vanished. That single detail quickly fueled conversation online. Even so, investigators have not identified any suspects or persons of interest. Nanos has been firm that no one should be judged in the absence of proof.
Addressing the speculation head-on, Nanos told the Daily Mail on Sunday, “If he [Tommaso Cioni] 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.”
He continued, “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.”
Authorities have emphasized that no one has been ruled out. But they have also made clear that the investigation will be guided by facts, not online opinion.
Sheriff Calls Out ‘Nasty’ Rumors Circulating Online
GettyNanos said some of the public reaction has gone too far.
“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,” the sheriff said.
Nancy, 84, disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home after she was last seen the day before she was reported missing. Since then, her loved ones have been living in a painful stretch of uncertainty, facing each new day without answers.
Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the “Today” show, has stayed close to her family as investigators continue working to piece together what happened.
Why Investigators Believe This Was a Kidnapping
GettyNanos said investigators are still trying to understand why Nancy vanished. He believes the evidence suggests an abduction, not a break-in gone wrong.
“This is somebody who’s disappeared from the face of the earth, and now we have a camera that says here’s the person who did this,” he told the Daily Mail, pointing to surveillance footage that captured a masked intruder outside her home.
Nanos added, “And that’s what makes me say this is a kidnapping. The motivation for it is where we get stuck, right? Is it for money? I mean, we had the one demand where they asked for money. But is it really for money, or is it for revenge for something?”
Detectives have not ruled out revenge as a possible motive. They are continuing to examine every angle. Nanos, a law enforcement veteran with 50 years of experience, said the department has received up to 50,000 tips. Each one, he said, must be carefully reviewed.
$100,000 Reward Offered as FBI Joins Search
NBC/GettyDespite the steady stream of leads, clear answers have not emerged.
“Maybe it’s an hour from now,” Nanos said about when Nancy could be found, according to The New York Times. “Maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now. But we won’t quit. We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy.”
Authorities have announced a $100,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy’s recovery or to an arrest in the case.
The FBI joined the investigation and is urging anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be shared with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office at 520-351-4900.
For investigators and for Nancy’s family, the priority remains unchanged. Follow every lead. Keep searching. Bring her home.
