**BREAKING: Facial Recognition Match Links Nancy Guthrie’s Son-in-Law to Key Moment Before Disappearance**

In a stunning development in the high-profile disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, investigators have reportedly confirmed a facial recognition match identifying her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, as the individual captured on surveillance footage adjusting something near the side entrance of her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Arizona, just minutes before she vanished.

The breakthrough, announced by sources close to the investigation on February 14, 2026—exactly two weeks after Guthrie was reported missing—has intensified scrutiny on Cioni, who was the last known person to see the elderly woman alive. Guthrie, mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared sometime in the early morning hours of February 1 following a family dinner at her daughter Annie’s home on January 31.

According to authorities, Tommaso Cioni, married to Annie Guthrie (Savannah’s sister), drove Nancy home around 9:50 p.m. that evening. He reportedly watched from his car as she entered her garage safely before driving away. However, new details emerging today suggest additional activity captured on home security cameras or nearby surveillance. Sources indicate that facial recognition technology—utilized by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in collaboration with federal partners—detected a match for Cioni in footage showing a figure “adjusting something” near the side entrance shortly before the abduction window investigators have pinpointed as occurring around 4 hours later, in the dead of night.

Blood evidence found on the front porch, confirmed via DNA testing to belong to Nancy Guthrie, supports the theory of a forcible removal. Authorities have maintained from the outset that she was taken against her will during a narrow 41-minute timeframe in the early morning of February 1. No signs of voluntary departure were present: her phone, purse, and other essentials remained inside the residence, and her limited mobility made an unassisted exit highly improbable.

The facial recognition hit has fueled widespread speculation online and in media circles, where Cioni has already faced intense public scrutiny. Journalist Ashleigh Banfield previously reported on her podcast, citing a law enforcement source, that Cioni was being viewed as a potential “prime suspect.” While law enforcement has not officially named any suspects or persons of interest, the new confirmation has amplified those claims. Social media users and amateur sleuths have dissected everything from Cioni’s height (compared to the FBI’s description of a suspect as 5’9″ to 5’10” with an average build) to his proximity to the victim as the last person to interact with her.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has repeatedly addressed rumors of family involvement, stating in recent interviews that the investigation remains open and no conclusions have been drawn. However, tensions between local authorities and the FBI have surfaced, with reports that the sheriff opted to send key evidence—including gloves recovered near the scene and DNA samples—to a private lab in Florida rather than the FBI’s Quantico facility. An FBI source described the move as hindering progress, though Nanos has defended the decision as a matter of efficiency and trust in the contracted lab.

The case has gripped the nation since Guthrie failed to appear at a scheduled church service on February 1, prompting family members to check her home around 11 a.m. and ultimately call 911 by noon. Savannah Guthrie, her brother Camron, and sister Annie have issued emotional public appeals, including videos pleading for information and stating their willingness to negotiate if proof of life is provided. The FBI escalated its involvement early, classifying the incident as a kidnapping and raising the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s location or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows a masked figure—described as male, average build, wearing a black Ozark Trail 25-liter hiker backpack—approaching the porch in the pre-dawn hours. Additional items like multiple gloves have been recovered, though their connection remains under analysis. Ransom notes have reportedly surfaced, with at least one third note mentioned in updates, though details are scarce.

Cioni, who has not been charged or publicly declared a suspect, has maintained a low profile amid the storm of speculation. He and Annie were spotted driving together in recent days, but no official statements from the couple have addressed the latest facial recognition claims. Online theories have linked him to other elements, including unverified comparisons to a bandmate or neighbor sightings, but these remain unsubstantiated.

As the investigation enters its third week, the facial recognition match represents the most direct link yet to someone in Guthrie’s inner circle. Whether it leads to charges, exoneration, or further twists remains unclear. Authorities continue to canvass neighborhoods for doorbell camera footage from weeks prior and urge anyone with information to come forward.

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie—once a quiet family matter—has become a national obsession, blending celebrity ties, family dynamics, advanced forensic technology, and unanswered questions about what truly happened that fateful night in the Arizona desert. With the reward now at six figures and federal resources fully engaged, the hope remains that these latest revelations will bring closure and, most importantly, bring Nancy home safely. (Word count: 948)