Savannah Guthrie Reportedly 'Livid' Over Family Suspect Allegations in Mother's Disappearance
As the search for Nancy Guthrie extends beyond 40 days, her daughter, Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, is said to be "livid" over early media reports suggesting her brother-in-law and sister were involved in the case. The 84-year-old vanished from her Arizona home on February 1 in what investigators believe was an abduction.
Megyn Kelly Reveals Guthrie's Fury Over Suspect Claims
According to former NBC colleague Megyn Kelly, Guthrie was incensed after journalist Ashleigh Banfield alleged on her podcast that Tommaso Cioni, the husband of Savannah's sister Annie Guthrie, was a prime suspect. Kelly stated on her SiriusXM show that Guthrie "definitely does not suspect her or her brother-in-law" and may be considering legal action against Banfield.
Banfield first aired the claim on February 3, citing a law enforcement source, and has continued to stand by her reporting despite the Pima County Sheriff's Department publicly clearing the family. In response, a producer for Banfield's podcast affirmed she "stands by her reporting" and "her ironclad source."
Sheriff Warns Suspect Could Strike Again
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has cautioned that the kidnapping suspect could "absolutely" target others, noting "criminal minds are criminal minds." He revealed authorities believe they understand the motive but are not ready to disclose it publicly, warning it would be "silly" to assume others are not at risk.
Nanos previously criticized media speculation, stating it was "reckless to report that someone is a suspect when they could very well be a victim" and pleading with outlets to be careful to avoid damaging the case or individuals involved.
Investigation Developments and New Evidence
Authorities continue to analyze evidence, including:
- New photos from motion-activated cameras at Nancy Guthrie's home, capturing images of people in the backyard and side yard before the abduction, though nothing was deemed suspicious.
- Video of an armed suspect tampering with the front doorbell camera on the day of the disappearance.
- A possible internet outage in the neighborhood around the time Nancy vanished, which investigators are examining.
The FBI and local authorities are offering a $200,000 reward, while the Guthrie family has pledged an additional $1 million for Nancy's safe return. Cioni and his wife were the last known people to see Nancy, having dinner with her the night before she disappeared.
Family's Emotional Appeals
In an emotional Instagram video, Savannah Guthrie expressed the family's ongoing hope, saying, "We still believe that she can come home." She later shared a post showing yellow flowers at a makeshift memorial, thanking the community for their support and urging continued prayers.
The case remains active, with the Pima County Sheriff's Department stating it "continues to analyze various forms of evidence" but declining further comment. As the investigation unfolds, the Guthrie family awaits answers while grappling with the distress of public allegations against their loved ones.
