Ex-FBI agent weighs in on Nancy Guthrie’s daughter Annie and son-in-law’s role in disappearance

Jennifer Coffindaffer offered insight into involvement of Nancy Guthrie’s family into the disappearance
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have pleaded for their mother Nancy's return multiple times (Instagram/ @savannahguthrie)
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have pleaded for their mother Nancy's return multiple times (Instagram/ @savannahguthrie)


TUCSON, ARIZONA: Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer sat down for a discussion with a colleague regarding the complicated missing case of Nancy Guthrie. The two also talked about the possible involvement of Nancy’s daughter Annie and her husband Tommaso Cioni in the kidnapping.

Many online sleuths and former NewsNation journalist Ashleigh Banfield have suspected Annie and Cioni since they were reportedly the last ones to see the 84-year-old woman hours before she went missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, near Tucson, Arizona.

Ex-FBI agent defends Annie Guthrie and her husband Tommaso Cioni

In an aerial view, investigators walk through a crowd of media gathered outside of the home of Nancy Guthrie on February 8, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her home in the early hours of February 1. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
In an aerial view, investigators walk through a crowd of media gathered outside of the home of Nancy Guthrie on February 8, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Nancy was reported missing on February 1 and since then the probe into the case has been going on. However, Pima County Sheriff's Department, who are in charge of the investigation, and Sheriff Chris Nanos had already declined their association.

Coffindaffer spoke with retired FBI special agent Robin Dreek. She asked him, “Tell me what in your research, and with your background, why you don't believe Annie and Tommaso were involved.”

Dreek replied, “Happy people don't commit espionage…happy people don't do crazy c**p. If something bad is going to happen, it is going to come from an unhealthy relationship all the time.”

Ex-FBI agent says Nancy shared good relationship with Annie and Tommaso 

The ex-official mentioned Cioni’s good background as a school teacher, who did not have any issues with anyone. He noted that Cioni has been married for a long time and shares a healthy relationship with his wife as well as his mother-in-law who routinely came “for Saturday night dinner and plays games” at his house.

“If there was an issue, that would not be going on. I guarantee it, it just doesn't happen,” he added.

TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 10: In this photo illustration, Nancy Guthrie is seen on the FBI website on a cellular phone February 10, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Searches continues for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, after she went missing from her home on the morning of February 1st. Guthrie's possible abductors had set a deadline of 5pm on February 9 for a $6 million payment. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Nancy Guthrie is seen on the FBI website on a cellular phone February 10, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Dreek also told Coffindaffer that Annie and husband faced more attention from law enforcement than other family members because they were caretakers of Nancy, not because officers found them suspicious.

Sheriff denies Guthrie family's involvement in Nancy's kidnapping

Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos (left), speaks to the media on February 3, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. He and FBI assistant special agent in-charge Jon Edwards (right) were answering questions about the search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie.(Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos (L), and FBI assistant special agent in-charge Jon Edwards (R) answer questions about the search for Nancy Guthrie (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)

This came after earlier Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had said, “To be clear … the Guthrie family — to include all siblings and spouses — has been cleared as possible suspects. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.”

Meanwhile, regarding a mixed “DNA” sample being examined by the FBI, an official has now said, “There is no new DNA evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case. The FBI requested this material over two months ago.”

“The Pima County Sheriff’s Office sent it to a private lab in Florida. Eleven weeks later, that lab has now transferred an original hair sample to the FBI Laboratory for testing. We remain fully committed to this investigation.”

RELATED TOPICS DISAPPEARANCE OF NANCY GUTHRIE

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