US President Donald Trump spoke on Friday (local time) about why the FBI has not fully taken over the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation, saying that while the case was initially local, there has been some progress since the federal agency became involved, according to Fox News.
Trump noted that some progress had been made, the report said.
Trump said, “Originally it was a local case. They didn’t want to let it go, which is fine. . . . But eventually, when the FBI got involved, progress was made.”
Watch the video here:
Since Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, the FBI has received over 13,000 tips, while the local sheriff’s department has reportedly fielded at least 18,000 calls.
The FBI said on Thursday X that “each tip is evaluated for credibility, relevance and actionable information by law enforcement” and emphasized that it is a 24-hour operation. The agency also said it would not provide further details about the tips it received, the AP reported.
Is Annie Guthrie under arrest?
No, Annie Guthrie was not arrested. But on Wednesday, FBI agents worked at Nancy Guthrie’s home under the desert sun, carrying water bottles to deal with the heat. They also deployed to nearby neighborhoods, going door-to-door and searching cacti, bushes and rocky terrain, the AP reported.
Read also | Nancy Guthrie case: 3rd ransom emerges as FBI raises reward to $100,000
“They were just asking some general questions and wondering if there was anything, any information we could provide regarding the Nancy Guthrie matter. They wanted to look around the property and then the cameras and stuff,” Ann Adams, a neighbor of Nancy Guthrie’s oldest daughter, Annie Guthrie, told the AP.
The Phoenix FBI has released new details about the suspect
Meanwhile, the FBI’s Phoenix office recently released new information from the doorbell footage of the masked suspect at Guthrie’s home.
FBI Phoenix wrote on X: “Today the FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
Read also | Nancy Guthrie update: Arizona sheriff denies blocking FBI access to evidence
“The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9″ – 5’10” tall, with a medium build. He is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack in the video. We hope this updated description will help focus the public’s tips we are receiving. As of February 1, 2026, the FBI has collected over 13,000 Phoenix-related tips on this public case.
Tommaso Cioni’s height sparks debate
Soon after the FBI released details about the suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping, many online were asking, “How tall is Guthrie’s son-in-law?
An independent reporter suggested that Cioni is significantly taller than the 5’9”–5’10” range provided by the agency.
Is Tommaso Cioni a suspect?
Although Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law has not been officially named as a suspect, he has become the focus of online speculation, with social media users now investigating his height.
Authorities have confirmed that Nancy Guthrie was abducted against her will and has been missing since February 1st. They noted that she relies on several medications, raising concerns that her life could be at risk without them.
Read also | Savannah vs Annie Guthrie: Net Worth Comparison
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings expressed their willingness to pay the ransom. However, it remains unclear whether the ransom notes, which contained deadlines that had already passed, were genuine.
It was originally a local case. They didn’t want to let go, which is fine… But eventually, when the FBI got involved, progress was made.
Amid national attention surrounding her disappearance, Savannah Guthrie shared an old home video on Instagram Thursday of her mother holding pink flowers with her two children, with the caption: “We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.”
(With input from agencies)
Key things
- Since Nancy Guthrie was reported missing, the FBI has received over 13,000 tips in the case.
- Speculation about the height of family members underscores the public’s interest in missing persons cases and their investigation.
- The involvement of federal agencies can lead to significant progress in local investigations.