Nancy Guthrie InvestigationFirst Images of Potential Subject Release
We now have the first videos and images of a person of interest in Nancy Guthrie‘s abduction from her Tucson, Arizona home more than a week ago.
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The images appear to be taken by a Nest camera from Nancy’s front door and show what appears to be a holstered gun on the front of the person’s waistband … as you know, Nancy’s blood was later found on the front stoop.
The male individual is wearing heavy duty rubber gloves and a backpack … and he’s tampering with the camera on the morning of Nancy’s disappearance, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Although he’s wearing a ski mask … when you look closely at the photo you can see a prominent mustache in the photo above. It also appears he has dark facial hair both above and below his lips.
X / @PimaSheriff
One pic shows him with a flashlight in his mouth.
As you know, 84-year-old Nancy — the mother of ‘TODAY’ anchor Savannah Guthrie — was taken against her will early on the morning of Feb. 1.
Instagram / @FBIDirectorKash
Savannah and her family have been tirelessly searching for the matriarch ever since, working with police and posting videos pleading for help in locating Nancy, whom they believe is still alive.
In fact, Savannah reposted these images shortly after the FBI released them, and said, “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”
X / @FBIDirectorKash
In a video shared yesterday, Savannah asked people to come forward with any information they may have, saying, “No matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson … we are in an hour of desperation, and we need your help.” In an alleged ransom note received last week demanding $6 million, two deadlines are given — both of which have now passed.
X / @FBIDirectorKash
Remember … Nancy has a pacemaker and needs daily medication. It’s unclear if she’s receiving her pills.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov … A $50,000 reward is being offered “for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
Fact-Checking the Claim: Facial Recognition and Tommaso Cioni in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
In the swirling vortex of online speculation surrounding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, a new “breaking news” claim has emerged: that facial recognition technology has confirmed a match to her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, and that he was spotted adjusting something near the side entrance of her home just before she vanished. This sensational allegation, complete with emojis and urgent arrows, has spread rapidly across social media platforms, fueling amateur sleuthing and conspiracy theories. But is there any truth to it? As of February 11, 2026, a deep dive into available reports, expert analyses, and official statements reveals this claim to be unsubstantiated at best—and potentially part of a wave of misinformation dubbed “Viet Spam” by fact-checkers.
Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old widow with health issues including high blood pressure and a pacemaker, was last seen on January 31, 2026, after dinner with her daughter Annie Guthrie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni. The couple, who live nearby in Tucson, Arizona, dropped her off at her Catalina Foothills home around 9 p.m., ensuring she was safely inside, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. By the next morning, she was gone, with blood found on her porch later confirmed as hers via DNA testing. The case, treated as an abduction from the start, has involved the FBI, local law enforcement, and even comments from President Donald Trump, who expressed “pure disgust” upon viewing surveillance footage.
The FBI’s release of surveillance images on February 10, 2026, marked a turning point. Recovered from Nancy’s Nest camera despite the device being disabled at 1:47 a.m., the black-and-white footage shows a masked figure in gloves, a ski mask, and a full backpack, tampering with the camera using a gloved hand and then foliage from the yard. A handgun is visible in an unusual front-waistband holster, described as “bizarre” by retired FBI agent John MacVeigh. The person’s calm demeanor and preparedness suggest premeditation, but the heavy disguise has hampered identification efforts.
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Enter the facial recognition claim. Proponents argue that advanced AI has pierced the mask to match the suspect to Cioni, citing alleged similarities in build, height, mustache, and eyebrows. Some even claim he was seen near a side entrance “adjusting something” minutes before the disappearance. However, multiple sources contradict this. Former FBI agents like MacVeigh and Frank Figliuzzi have stated that facial recognition is unlikely to work here due to the ski mask obscuring key features. “The mask covers the face, and there’s no clear view of the eyes or structure,” MacVeigh explained in an interview. AI expert Kristian Hammond, speaking to CNN, noted that while gait recognition or other biometrics might help, facial tech is limited in masked scenarios.
Official updates from the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office make no mention of any facial recognition match or identification of Cioni as a suspect. In fact, as of February 11, no suspects have been publicly named. Lead Stories, a fact-checking outlet, labeled similar claims about Cioni being “blockaded” in his home or arrested as “Viet Spam”—misinformation originating from Vietnamese-language websites and Facebook pages, often amplified for clicks. These sites have peddled unverified stories, including gambling debts as a motive, which have been debunked.
Who is Tommaso Cioni? Born in Italy, the 50-year-old is a musician and artist, formerly in the indie band Early Black, where he played bass and sang. He married Annie Guthrie, Savannah’s sister, and they share a $675,000 ranch-style home about four miles from Nancy’s residence. Cioni’s net worth is estimated modestly, tied to his creative pursuits rather than wealth that might suggest ransom motives. Family photos show him with a distinctive beard and bald head, traits some online users compare to the suspect’s faint mustache visible under the mask in enhanced footage.
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Yet, these comparisons are speculative. Reddit threads in r/MissingPersons and r/CasesWeFollow buzz with theories, but experts like former profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole caution against them: “The video shows planning, but no definitive ID.” Cioni was indeed the last to see Nancy, but Sheriff Nanos confirmed he ensured her safety before leaving. There’s no evidence of him near a side entrance post-drop-off; the surveillance focuses on the front door.
Recent developments have shifted focus elsewhere. On February 10, authorities detained a man during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, near the Mexico border, but he was released. Identified as Carlos Palazuelo by his mother-in-law in an interview with reporter Briana Whitney, he claimed to be a delivery driver with no connection. His home was searched, electronics seized, but no charges filed. Speculation then turned to Dominic Aaron Lee Evans, Cioni’s former bandmate, but he too was not confirmed as involved.
Annie and Cioni’s home has been searched twice, the latest on February 10, amid ransom notes received by the family—some bogus, like those from imposter Derrick Callella. A quirk in Arizona law allows warrantless searches in exigent circumstances, but Cioni has vanished from public view since February 3, prompting headlines about his “disappearance.” This low profile, however, doesn’t equate to guilt; journalist Ashleigh Banfield suggested he “may be” a suspect, but authorities refute naming anyone.
The Guthrie family remains united in their pleas. Savannah, Annie, and brother Camron released a video: “We are desperate. Please return our mother.” Family photos, including Christmas gatherings, paint a picture of closeness.
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Crime experts are divided on the abduction’s nature. Some, like Tucson analyst Kurt Dabb, see it as targeted, given the full backpack implying no intent to burgle. Others posit it started as a robbery gone wrong. Virtual kidnapping scams have been mentioned, but the blood evidence suggests real harm.
Online, X (formerly Twitter) is rife with theories. Posts link Cioni’s alleged debts to the crime (debunked), or compare him to the suspect. One user noted: “The build and mustache match,” but another countered: “Speculation, no confirmation.” Motive discussions include family disputes or financial gain, but Sheriff Nanos says “everybody’s still a suspect” in early stages.
The claim’s origins trace to unverified social media, amplified by foreign sites. In a digital age, such rumors can harm investigations and families. As former agent Tracy Walder advised: “Let the professionals handle it.”
Nancy’s fate remains unknown. Billboards, door-to-door searches, and tips lines are active. The family clings to hope, but time is critical given her health. Until facts emerge, claims like this facial recognition “match” should be viewed skeptically—they’re more smoke than fire.
