Tucson Police Warn Against Harmful Online Speculation in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Savannah Guthrie offers $1M reward as search continues for her 84-year-old mother

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1 in Tucson, Arizona after failing to arrive at a friend's home. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has been investigating the case, but online sleuths have spread unsubstantiated rumors, including accusations against Dominic Evans, a local teacher who plays in a band with Savannah's son-in-law. The sheriff has warned against the harmful speculation and said Evans is not a suspect, urging him to consider legal action against those making false claims.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has garnered national attention, with her daughter Savannah Guthrie offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery. However, the case has also highlighted the dangers of online speculation, as unverified theories have caused significant harm to innocent individuals like Dominic Evans. This underscores the importance of responsible reporting and the need for law enforcement to carefully manage high-profile missing persons cases.

The details

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1 after failing to arrive at a friend's home in Tucson, Arizona to watch a livestreamed church service. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has been investigating the case, but online sleuths have latched onto unsubstantiated theories, including accusations against Dominic Evans, a local teacher who plays in a band with Savannah Guthrie's son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. Evans has denied any involvement and said the experience has felt like an 'erasure' of his identity, with strangers treating his home like a 'drop-in suggestion box' for their theories. Sheriff Chris Nanos has warned against the harmful speculation, saying Evans is not a suspect and urging him to consider legal action against those making false claims.

  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, 2026.
  • Earlier this month, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said it had ruled out 'all siblings and spouses' as suspects.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who was reported missing in Tucson, Arizona on February 1, 2026.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of the Today show and Nancy Guthrie's daughter, who has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother's recovery.

Dominic Evans

A local teacher in Tucson who plays in a band with Tommaso Cioni, the husband of Nancy Guthrie's daughter Annie. Evans has been the target of unsubstantiated online accusations, which he says have felt like an 'erasure' of his identity.

Chris Nanos

The sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, who has warned against the harmful online speculation and urged Evans to consider legal action against those making false claims.

Tommaso Cioni

The husband of Nancy Guthrie's daughter Annie and a bandmate of Dominic Evans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I feel like someone's taken my name.”

— Dominic Evans, Local teacher (The New York Times)

“He's going through hell, and it is horrible. I wish I could jump out and defend every single one of them that's been falsely accused.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (ibtimes.co.uk)

What’s next

The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, and Savannah Guthrie has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother's recovery.

The takeaway

This case highlights the dangers of unchecked online speculation and the harm it can cause to innocent individuals. It underscores the importance of responsible reporting and the need for law enforcement to carefully manage high-profile missing persons cases, ensuring that the focus remains on finding the missing person and not on unsubstantiated rumors.