The sheriff leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie was pressed directly on Thursday over whether her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, is being treated as a suspect — and his response only deepened the mystery surrounding the case.
Cioni, who is married to Savannah Guthrie’s sister Annie Guthrie, was initially believed to be the last person to see Nancy, 84, alive before she vanished in the early hours of Sunday morning.
But authorities are now less certain about that account.
Speaking at a press conference in Tucson, Chris Nanos, Sheriff of Pima County, declined to confirm whether Cioni was being considered in connection with the alleged abduction — insisting instead that no one has been ruled out.
“We’re actively looking at everybody we come across in this case. Everybody,” Nanos said.
“It would be irresponsible if we didn’t talk to everybody.”
He went on to explain that investigators are casting an intentionally wide net.
“The Uber driver, the gardener, the pool person — whoever. Everybody,” he said.
“It’s so cliché, but everybody’s still a suspect in our eyes. That’s just how we think as cops.”
A Key Detail Quietly Walked Back
Earlier in the investigation, Sheriff Nanos told reporters that Cioni had been the last person to see Nancy Guthrie alive.
On Thursday, however, he appeared to soften that assertion, now stating only that Nancy had been dropped off at her Tucson home by ‘family’.
Pressed on whether any individuals had been cleared, Nanos remained cautious.
“I wouldn’t say anybody’s ruled out yet,” he said.
“Because what if I rule you out and then later I learn something else? So, no.”
Despite mounting speculation, Nanos stressed that investigators have not yet identified a suspect or person of interest.
“I know there’s been a lot out there about suspects,” he said.
“At this time, we have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case. We are not there yet.”
The Night Nancy Vanished
Nancy Guthrie was dropped off at her $1 million Tucson home at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday night, after spending the evening having dinner and playing Mahjong with Annie Guthrie and Tommaso Cioni.
She was reported missing around midday Sunday after failing to appear for an online church service — something family members said was entirely out of character.
Investigators believe something went wrong hours earlier.
Sheriff Nanos revealed that Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Mountain Time early Sunday morning.
At 2:12 a.m., the camera’s software detected movement — but no footage was recorded because the subscription was inactive.
Then, at 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone, a detail investigators say is deeply concerning.
It had previously been reported that the heart device stopped syncing to her Apple Watch, suggesting she may have been taken out of range.
Ransom Deadlines and Growing Urgency
During Thursday’s briefing, the FBI confirmed that an unverified ransom note sent earlier this week included a deadline set for 5 p.m. Thursday, with a secondary deadline scheduled for Monday evening.
Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the message, but say it remains under active investigation.
Sheriff Nanos also warned that Nancy’s medical condition makes time critical.
She requires daily medication, and depriving her of it, he said earlier this week, could be fatal.
“I hope Nancy Guthrie is still alive,” Nanos told reporters.
Family Under Scrutiny — and Under Strain
Tommaso Cioni has not spoken publicly since his mother-in-law’s disappearance.
He was photographed on Tuesday evening leaving the $650,000 home he shares with Annie Guthrie. Both appeared to shield their faces as they drove away.
Cioni, an Italian-born teacher, has been married to Annie since 2006. The couple share one child.
On Wednesday night, Annie appeared in an emotional video plea alongside Savannah and their brother Camron Guthrie, directly addressing those believed to be holding their mother.
Savannah, who is known to be extremely close to Nancy, said the family was willing to engage but needed proof that Nancy is still alive.
No Answers — Only Questions
As police continue to analyze digital data, timelines, and witness accounts, the investigation remains unresolved.
No suspects.
No persons of interest.
And a narrowing window of hope.
For now, authorities insist that everyone remains under scrutiny, and nothing — and no one — is being taken off the table.
