Police say they are still hopeful that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie will be found alive as investigators probe her disappearance, pushing back on unconfirmed reports that her son-in-law has been named a suspect.
The family of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie reported Nancy missing Sunday morning. Since then, video showing what appears to be blood spatter at the front door of her home has circulated online, and TMZ reported receiving a ransom demand threatening her safety unless millions of dollars in cryptocurrency are sent to a Bitcoin account by a set deadline. (RELATED: Cops Suspect Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Abducted, Blood Reportedly Found)
Former NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield said Tuesday that Nancy’s son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, had been identified as a person of interest in the case. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department later told TMZ on Wednesday that no suspect has been named.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stressed that investigators remain focused on locating Nancy alive, telling NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz that authorities are operating on the belief that “she is here,” according to People.
“She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her,” Nanos said during Wednesday’s episode of “Today.”
Updates here: 🔗 https://t.co/Ty3MhSnhmD
Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, has been reported missing in Arizona.
Anyone with information should contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at: 520-351-4900. pic.twitter.com/gFiTQQPnKa
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 2, 2026
Investigators have said the active nature of the case limits what they can publicly disclose, but the details released so far have raised serious concern.
Police have indicated that Nancy is in frail health and requires daily medication, which authorities believe was left behind at her home along with her cell phone and car keys, fueling concern that she may have been taken against her will.
Banfield reported Tuesday that Cioni, who is married to Nancy’s daughter Annie, was identified as a possible suspect. Annie was the last known person to see Nancy alive after dropping her off at home following dinner Saturday night. It remains unclear whether Cioni was present at the time.
Banfield claimed investigators towed Annie’s vehicle, but the sheriff’s department told TMZ it would not confirm any vehicle seizure. Banfield also said the cameras inside the home had been smashed.
Police told TMZ that no suspect or person of interest has been identified in the case and that detectives are continuing to interview anyone who may have had contact with Nancy while awaiting forensic results.
“We are not confirming the car being seized,” the department said. “We are unsure where that reporter is getting that information.”
MISSING PERSON: Nancy Guthrie https://t.co/xsvJ9zync0 pic.twitter.com/aLBEWRoOz1
— Pima County Sheriff’s Department (@PimaSheriff) February 2, 2026
Investigators are also looking into a separate trespassing incident, according to TMZ, after a suspicious man was allegedly seen lurking in a neighbor’s yard near Guthrie’s home weeks before her disappearance. Authorities have not said whether the incident is connected to the case.
Police acknowledged the limited clarity surrounding the investigation, telling People they do not yet know how many individuals may be involved in Nancy’s abduction.
“It could have been one. It could have been more,” authorities said.