Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of Today, is reportedly considering stepping away from the show due to growing concerns for her family’s safety following the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. According to sources close to the situation, Savannah has been deeply shaken by the ongoing search for her mother and is considering taking an extended leave to focus on her family during this challenging time.
Since February 1, Savannah has been absent from Today, and NBC has confirmed that she will not be covering the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as initially planned. In her absence, veteran NBC Sports correspondent Mary Carillo will step in for the Olympic coverage. Savannah’s extended leave has raised speculation, particularly in light of her mother’s disappearance under troubling circumstances.
Both Savannah and her siblings have made public pleas for their mother’s safe return, with Savannah posting heartfelt messages and videos urging the public to help with the search. Despite her absence from Today, Savannah’s priority has clearly been her family, with law enforcement agencies continuing to investigate Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Sources told NewsNation senior story editor Paula Froelich that Savannah may decide to leave Today due to concerns for her family’s well-being. Froelich shared that sources within the Guthrie family believe Savannah feels her mother may have been targeted because of her, which has intensified her fear for the safety of her husband, siblings, and children. One source even mentioned that Savannah might be gone for an extended period — anywhere from three to six months, or possibly even longer.
As of now, neither Today nor Savannah has confirmed or denied these reports, and the situation remains fluid. Savannah’s absence from the show began shortly after her mother was reported missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona. In a statement read on air by her co-anchor, Craig Melvin, Savannah expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the public, stating that the family’s focus remains on finding Nancy. “I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support,” Savannah said. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
NBC officially confirmed on February 3 that Savannah would not be attending the Winter Olympics in Italy. Instead, Mary Carillo joined Terry Gannon as the hosts for the Olympic coverage. Savannah’s absence has further highlighted the emotional toll the disappearance of her mother has taken on her and her family.
In the midst of the investigation, which has escalated to include SWAT raids on properties connected to Nancy Guthrie, Savannah and her siblings have continued to appeal for information about their mother’s whereabouts. In a February 9 Instagram video, Savannah spoke directly to the public, saying, “We believe our mom is still out there. We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock, trying to bring her home, trying to find her. She was taken, and we don’t know where.”
Savannah, who has been with NBC News since 2007, has built a distinguished career, initially serving as a White House correspondent before joining Today in 2011. She became a co-anchor of Today in 2012, where she worked alongside Matt Lauer until his firing in 2017. Throughout her career, Savannah has maintained a strong connection with her audience, and her current absence underscores the deeply personal nature of the ongoing crisis her family is facing.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the Guthrie family remains in the public eye, and Savannah’s potential exit from Today highlights the emotional weight of this harrowing situation. For now, the focus remains on finding Nancy and ensuring her safe return, with the support of both the Guthrie family’s fans and the broader public continuing to grow.