Savannah Guthrie/Instagram
As the search forNancy Guthrieenters its third week, law enforcement is leaning away from considering the elderly woman's relatives as suspects.
Throughout the investigation into the disappearance ofSavannah Guthrie's mother, police have maintained that investigators are not ruling out any individuals or possibilities. However, law enforcement sources have toldNBCandABC Newsthat authorities do not believe the members of Guthrie's family were involved in the crime. Investigators are also leaning away from the man whose home was searched after he was detained in a car stop last week.
"To be clear…the Guthrie family — to include all siblings and spouses — has been cleared as possible suspects in this case," Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a statement toEntertainment Weeklyon Monday. "The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious, and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel."
In a previous press blast on Friday, the sheriff's office had said, "Investigators continue to follow up on all leads. The suspect description released by the FBI this week remains a key focus; however, investigators are not ruling out any individuals or possibilities... We ask the public to continue submitting actionable tips."
Savannah Guthrie/Instagram
Despite reports that investigators are focusing on other leads, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told theDaily Mailthat "nobody" has been officially cleared in the investigation, including workers at Nancy's home (who were the subject of two separate SWAT raids) and her own family members.
"I stay in touch with them, mostly Savannah. I've not been in touch with [Nancy's son-in-law Tommaso [Cioni] or [her daughter] Annie [Guthrie] too much," Nanos told the outlet in a Sunday interview. "I have talked to them a little bit, but I know the investigators are in touch with them."
Nanos also addressed speculation about Cioni, who was the last person to see Nancy alive after dropping her off at home the night of her disappearance.
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"I understand the pundits are out there. They're gonna say 'Well, he's the last one to see her alive.' We understand that stuff," Nanos said. "But, my goodness, you're putting a mark on somebody who could be completely innocent. And more important than that, he's family."
Nancy Guthrie was last seen the evening of Jan. 31, after being dropped off at home by family members. The following day, she wasdeclared missing, and a large-scale search was launched. On Feb. 2, Nanos announced that herdisappearance was being investigated as a crime, and declared her home a crime scene, revealing thattraces of Guthrie's bloodhad been discovered on her porch.
Don Arnold/WireImage
Over a week later, on Feb. 10, FBI Director Kash Patelshared the first photos and video footageof a masked man on Guthrie's doorstep that was captured on the night she disappeared. The FBI subsequentlyrevealed new informationabout a suspect in the case as they increased the reward for information leading to Guthrie's location to $100,000.
"The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5'9" - 5'10" tall, with an average build," the bureau said in a statement. "In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter 'Ozark Trail Hiker Pack' backpack. We hope this updated description will help concentrate the public tips we are receiving."
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That same day, authorities announced that they'd detained a person of interest in connection to the case, butlater released him. The man, who identified himself as Carlos, claimed that he did not know who Nancy or Savannah were and had never seen theTodayshow.
Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, have published multiple videospleading with their mother's captors to return her home safe and sound. The sheriff's department and the FBI continue to urge anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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