This post is about why Tommaso Cioni’s name is being discussed publicly in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie — and it’s important to be clear about where that attention is coming from and what is and is not confirmed.
At this point, law enforcement has not named any suspects or persons of interest. The reason Cioni’s name is circulating is tied directly to statements made by journalist Ashleigh Banfield, not to any official police confirmation.
On a recent episode of her podcast, Drop Dead Serious, Ashleigh Banfield said she has a law enforcement source she described as “impeccable,” who shared details about the investigation that have not been confirmed by authorities.
According to Banfield, that source told her:
•Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, may be a potential suspect
•Annie Guthrie’s vehicle (Nancy’s daughter and Cioni’s wife) was allegedly towed and impounded
•Multiple security cameras at Nancy Guthrie’s home were allegedly smashed, suggesting someone may have known where they were located
Banfield emphasized that those claims came directly from her source and that the phrase “prime suspect” was the exact wording used to her — again, according to the source, not official police statements.
Hours after Banfield’s episode aired, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos publicly pushed back, stating:
•There are no suspects or persons of interest
•Claims circulating online about family members or seized vehicles are unverified
•Spreading unconfirmed information could be harmful to the investigation
Later, Banfield appeared on Megyn Kelly’s show, where she doubled down on her reporting, saying:
“After almost four decades in this business, I’ve collected a few friends at the FBI and local law enforcement all over the country, and the source that I have is impeccable.”
She reiterated that her source told her:
•More than one camera was smashed
•The act appeared deliberate
•Annie Guthrie’s car was allegedly taken into evidence
Banfield also explained that in cases like this, investigators typically start with the immediate family and work outward, something she referenced from her experience covering cases like Elizabeth Smart’s. She said it would not be unusual for law enforcement to look closely at family members early in an investigation — though again, that does not mean guilt.
Banfield also said she and journalist Brian Entin discussed conflicting details surrounding the home:
•Her source allegedly told her the back door was wide open
•Blood was reportedly seen at the front porch, but not clearly along the gravel walkway
•She questioned whether Nancy could have been carried out of the home, given her limited mobility
Those points remain unconfirmed by law enforcement.
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Tommaso Cioni is Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law, married to Annie Guthrie, who lives in Tucson near Nancy’s home. Publicly available information indicates:
•He is a musician
•He is part of a band called Early Black
•The band’s album titles and imagery have drawn attention online, including an album titled Life: Love :: Love: Murder
Online, some people have speculated about Cioni’s bandmates, particularly a man named Dominic Evans, claiming criminal histories and involvement. None of this has been confirmed by law enforcement, and repeating those claims without verification risks spreading misinformation. The reason I am sharing it is because I’m seeing it everywhere so I’m trying to combat misinformation while also respecting people’s curiosity in this case and their desperate attempt to help which I do believe is in GOOD FAITH.
I’ve hesitated sharing because these people could be collateral damage and have genuinely nothing to do with Nancy’s disappearance… but the internet is going to internet and we gotta talk about it.
