Why Tommaso Cioni and Walter Goncalves Are Under Spotlight in Nancy Guthrie Case

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, continues to grip the public’s attention. The 84-year-old went missing from her Tucson home in the early hours of Sunday, January 31, 2026, in what authorities suspect was an abduction. As law enforcement and forensic teams continue their investigation, public curiosity has focused on certain names connected to the case, notably Tommaso Cioni and Walter Goncalves.

Why is Tommaso Cioni’s nationality being discussed?

Tommaso Cioni, husband of Nancy’s eldest daughter, Annie Guthrie, has been widely mentioned because he was reportedly the last person to see Nancy before her disappearance. Reports indicate he drove her home around 9:45–9:50 p.m. after a family dinner. His Italian origin has sparked online debate, with social media users speculating about his citizenship and past, even though law enforcement has clarified that interviewing family members is a standard procedure in abduction investigations.

Walter Goncalves’ connection to the case

Walter Goncalves’ name has also surfaced due to his association with Cioni through the Tucson-based band Early Black. While some social media posts claim he is a federal public defender, these reports remain unverified. Archival information indicates that Cioni handled bass and vocals for the band, while Donomic Evans was the drummer.

Who is Tommaso Cioni?

Outside of the Nancy Guthrie case, Cioni is a sixth-grade science and AP biology teacher at Basis Oro Valley School in Tucson. Born in San Giovanni Valdarno, Italy, he moved to the U.S. in 2006 and married Annie Guthrie the same year. The couple reportedly lives near Nancy’s residence, which explains their frequent visits and his presence the night before Nancy went missing.

Developments in the investigation

Investigators have pieced together a timeline of the night Nancy disappeared: her doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m., and her pacemaker monitoring app went offline at 2:12 a.m. Nancy’s phone was found inside her home, and DNA confirmed that blood found on the porch belonged to her.

Amid the ongoing investigation, ransom notes demanding Bitcoin were sent to outlets such as TMZ and KOLD-TV. A separate individual from California, Derrick Callella, was arrested for sending fake ransom messages. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to offer a USD 50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return.

“This case is ongoing, and the FBI and local authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward,” law enforcement officials stated.