A shocking and deeply concerning development has rocked the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY anchor Savannah Guthrie. Veteran journalist Ashleigh Banfield reported that Tommaso Cioni, the husband of Savannah’s sister Annie, has been identified by police as a potential prime suspect. Annie and Cioni were reportedly the last known individuals to see Nancy on Saturday night at her home in Tucson, Arizona. The family initiated a police report after Nancy failed to attend her regular church service on Sunday morning, raising immediate alarms.
Investigators have since uncovered a disturbing scene at Nancy’s residence, including a visible trail of blood leading to her front steps, which the Los Angeles Times confirmed belonged to Nancy. All surveillance cameras at the property were found damaged, further suggesting foul play. In a significant move, authorities towed Annie’s car, noting its “some connection” to the 50-year-old Cioni. Adding another layer of complexity, an alleged ransom note demanding payment for Nancy’s release has been received, which the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI are rigorously investigating for authenticity.
Authorities believe Nancy was forcibly taken from her home in the middle of the night over the weekend. A critical timeline for the abduction has been established through Nancy’s medical devices: her pacemaker ceased syncing with her Apple Watch around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning. Since the Apple Watch was later found inside her home, this data suggests Nancy’s pacemaker moved out of Bluetooth range at that precise time, indicating her departure. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has confirmed “concerning” evidence of foul play and underscored the extreme urgency of the situation, given Nancy’s advanced age, poor health, and critical need for daily medication. Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker has speculated that the kidnapping likely stems from someone with a “deep grievance,” rather than a random act by a stranger, intensifying the personal implications of this high-profile search.
