Authorities in Tucson, Arizona, are continuing an intense investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman who vanished from her home early Sunday morning. The case has drawn significant public attention because Nancy is the mother of well-known television journalist Savannah Guthrie. During a press conference on Thursday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed questions about the investigation but made it clear that no suspects or persons of interest have officially been identified.
One person who has drawn public attention in the case is Tommaso Cioni, Nancy’s son-in-law and the husband of her daughter Annie Guthrie. Early reports suggested that Cioni was the last person to see Nancy alive, after dropping her off at her Tucson home late Saturday night following an evening spent having dinner and playing Mahjong with Annie. However, Sheriff Nanos later softened that claim, saying only that Nancy had been dropped off by “family,” indicating that investigators are still verifying the exact timeline of events.
When reporters asked directly whether Cioni is being treated as a suspect, Sheriff Nanos declined to give a definitive answer. Instead, he emphasized that investigators are examining everyone connected to the case. According to Nanos, law enforcement must consider every possibility and cannot rule anyone out too early in an investigation. He explained that detectives are speaking with anyone who might have relevant information, including people who may have had even brief contact with Nancy. In his words, investigators are looking at “everybody,” from family members to service workers such as drivers, gardeners, or pool maintenance staff. He described this approach as standard investigative practice, noting that police must keep an open mind in the early stages of a case.
The timeline surrounding Nancy’s disappearance has raised several concerning questions. Authorities say that Nancy returned to her $1 million Tucson home at approximately 9:48 p.m. on Saturday night after spending the evening with Annie and Cioni. At that point, nothing appeared unusual.
However, investigators believe something happened several hours later during the early morning hours of Sunday. Sheriff Nanos revealed that Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m. This detail has become a key part of the investigation because it suggests that someone may have intentionally disabled the device. About 25 minutes later, at 2:12 a.m., the camera system detected motion outside the home, but no video footage was captured because the camera’s subscription service was inactive.
Another troubling detail emerged shortly afterward. At approximately 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone. Investigators say this is a serious concern because the device normally communicates regularly with her phone. The disconnection could indicate that Nancy moved out of range or that something unexpected happened.
Nancy was reported missing later that day, around midday Sunday, when family members became worried after she failed to attend an online church service she regularly joined. According to relatives, missing the service was extremely unusual for her, which prompted them to check on her and eventually report her disappearance to authorities.
The investigation has become even more urgent because of Nancy’s medical condition. Sheriff Nanos previously stated that she requires daily medication, and going without it for an extended period could be life-threatening. This has increased the pressure on investigators to find her quickly.
Another development in the case involves a ransom message that was reportedly sent earlier in the week. The FBI confirmed that the message included a deadline demanding payment by 5 p.m. Thursday, with a second deadline set for Monday evening. However, officials have not confirmed whether the message is authentic. Investigators are currently examining the note as part of the ongoing investigation.
Nancy’s family has also made emotional public appeals for her safe return. In a video message released Wednesday night, Savannah Guthrie, Annie Guthrie, and their brother Camron Guthrie spoke directly to whoever might be responsible for Nancy’s disappearance. They asked for proof that Nancy is still alive and expressed their willingness to cooperate if it would help bring her home safely.
Meanwhile, Tommaso Cioni has not spoken publicly since Nancy went missing. He and Annie were photographed earlier in the week leaving their home in Tucson, appearing to shield their faces from cameras as they drove away.
At this point, investigators are continuing to analyze digital evidence, witness statements, and timelines to determine what happened. Despite growing public speculation, authorities insist that no one has been officially ruled in or out of the investigation.
For now, the case remains unsolved. With no confirmed suspects, many unanswered questions remain about what happened during the early hours of Sunday morning and whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive. Investigators say they will continue pursuing every lead as the search for answers continues.
