Innocent Man Targeted by Online Sleuths in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

An Arizona teacher says his life has been turned upside down after online rumors falsely linked him to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

Dominic Evans, a fifth-grade teacher in Arizona, told The New York Times that he has faced intense online speculation since Nancy Guthrie vanished earlier this month. Despite never being named a suspect by law enforcement, Evans said internet sleuths began circulating his name in connection with the case.

“I feel like someone’s taken my name,” Evans told the newspaper. “I don’t know — monetary, clickbait, to be relevant, entertainment — but there are innocent people that get hurt.”

Online Speculation Sparks Fear

According to Evans, he spoke with law enforcement once shortly after Nancy’s disappearance and has not been contacted again. Authorities have never publicly identified him as a suspect.

Still, the online accusations had real-world consequences.

Evans said that after his name began spreading across social media, he and his wife — a school principal — were too afraid to pick up their son from his grandmother’s home. At one point, they hid in their bedroom with the lights turned off, worried someone might come to their house.

The situation escalated when a SWAT team was dispatched to search a home roughly 30 minutes away from Evans’ residence. Several people mistakenly gathered outside Evans’ home, believing it was the target.

“This one felt really, really, really scary, because it was like everyone was waiting for someone to come to our house,” Evans said.

Sheriff Speaks Out

Chris Nanos, the Pima County Sheriff, described Evans’ ordeal as deeply troubling.

“He’s going through hell, and it is horrible,” Nanos told The New York Times. He suggested Evans may want to consider legal action against those spreading false claims.

Authorities say Evans’ name surfaced online because of his connection to Tommaso Cioni, Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law, who has also faced speculation. Sheriff Nanos has since ruled out family members as suspects in the case.

Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on February 1 after she failed to attend church in Tucson, Arizona. Investigators believe she may have been kidnapped.

Law enforcement has released surveillance footage showing a masked, armed individual appearing to tamper with the doorbell camera outside her home on the night she disappeared. The image has intensified public concern and fueled online theories.

The Guthrie family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s safe recovery. The FBI has also announced a $100,000 reward for credible tips.

As the investigation continues, officials are urging the public to avoid spreading unverified claims online — a reminder that speculation can cause serious harm to innocent people while diverting attention from finding answers.