Savannah Guthrie Reacts to ‘Outrageous’ Claims About Brother-in-Law in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Although the Pima County Sheriff’s Office has ruled out Nancy Guthrie’s family members as suspects in her disappearance, some people continue to question the possible involvement of her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.

Cioni, who is married to Annie Guthrie, was reportedly the last person to see Nancy Guthrie when he dropped her off at home on the night of January 31. Soon after she went missing, journalist Ashleigh Banfield came up with the theory that Cioni could be a suspect in Nancy Guthrie's abduction.

On the February 3 episode of her podcast, Banfield said Cioni was labeled the central figure of interest by investigators, a claim the Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos refuted. According to reports, Savannah Guthrie is unhappy with Banfield dragging her brother-in-law’s name in the case.

Speaking about the situation in her show, journalist Megyn Kelly said, “I have not been able to confirm that the Guthrie family wants to sue Ashleigh Banfield, but I have confirmed that Savannah is livid about that report and definitely does not suspect her sister or her brother-in-law.”

Kelly added that Savannah loves her sister and brother-in-law and completely trusts them. She said, “Can you blame her? I mean, of course, she loves her sister, I'm sure she loves her brother-in-law, and I'm sure she genuinely doesn't believe they had anything to do with it.”

However, Banfield repeated her claim in an interview with Dan Abrams on February 12. At the time, she said, “I can tell you that my source every day since has stood by that reporting. And that is the thinking as of the day after Mrs. Guthrie was reported missing.”

Nanos then released another statement, clearing Nancy’s family members of any wrongdoing. He said, “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.”

As Nancy’s alleged kidnapper remains at large after more than 45 days of investigation, several people have come forward with theories about the possible involvement of family members. Jonathan Lee Riches, an independent investigator, has also often directed his suspicion at Annie Guthrie and her husband.

Riches, who has followed the case closely, has consistently suggested that the kidnapping was ‘an inside job.’ Just a few days ago, he found a pair of tan pants in a desert wash near Annie Guthrie and Cioni’s house. Although he claimed the pants matched the ones Nancy Guthrie wore on some occasions, officials have not confirmed whether they have been collected as evidence.

Despite the concerns raised by Banfield and Riches, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have cleared all of Nancy’s family members as possible suspects. Investigators are analyzing DNA evidence and surveillance camera footage to identify the kidnappers.