In a major development in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, federal investigators were seen arriving at the Arizona home of her daughter, Annie Guthrie, on Tuesday afternoon, as the case entered a more complex phase.
Meanwhile, unverified claims made by a US journalist have drawn attention to a possible family angle. In a recent episode of the podcast Drop Dead Serious, journalist Ashleigh Banfield said a law enforcement source had told her that a vehicle belonging to Annie Guthrie had been seized by authorities and that investigators were exploring a possible connection involving her husband, Tommaso Cioni.
Banfield said her source claimed that Cioni might be the “prime suspect” in the case. However, the police have not publicly confirmed this information or named any suspect.
The development came amid unverified claims by a US journalist suggesting that a member of the family is being considered by investigators.
In a recent episode of the podcast Drop Dead Serious, journalist Ashleigh Banfield said a law enforcement source had told her that Savannah Guthrie’s brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, was “being considered” in the investigation.
Authorities, however, have not publicly named any suspect, and the claim has not been independently confirmed.
FBI visits Annie Guthrie's residence
According to images published by the Daily Mail, FBI agents were photographed descending on the USD 650,000 Tucson-area property shortly after 2.30 pm local time, where Savannah Guthrie is believed to be staying with family members. The agents remained inside the home for nearly two hours before leaving without comment.
The visit highlights the seriousness of the case, which local authorities now say goes beyond a routine missing-person investigation. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that evidence recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s residence suggests she may have been taken from her home against her will.
The FBI has joined the investigation to provide analytical and technical support, including reviewing cellphone tower data, conducting interviews and following up on leads. Authorities have also acknowledged reports of alleged ransom notes sent to media outlets, though officials have not confirmed their authenticity.
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy was last seen late Saturday night after spending the evening with her daughter Annie Guthrie, who is believed to be the last person to have seen her before she vanished.
According to US Weekly, Annie told Arizona police that the two had dinner together on January 31 and that she noticed no warning signs at the time. When Nancy failed to appear at church the following morning and could not be contacted, family members searched the home and alerted authorities around noon on Sunday. Since then, the property has been treated as a potential crime scene.
Savannah Guthrie was preparing for international travel related to NBC’s coverage of the upcoming Winter Olympics when she received what a source described as “the worst phone call of her life.” She is believed to have travelled immediately to Arizona.
NBC has since shared the sheriff’s department tip-line number across its platforms, while investigators continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that could help locate Nancy Guthrie.
Recently released footage showed dark stains near the entrance, described by investigators as a possible blood trail. Sheriff Chris Nanos has said that given Nancy’s age and medical condition, she would not have been capable of leaving the house on her own.
Family members, including Savannah Guthrie, have remained in close contact with law enforcement. Officials have said the family has been cooperative as investigators work under increasing public attention and time pressure.
