Savannah Guthrie visits ‘TODAY’ studio as she plans to eventually return to show
Savannah Guthrie Returns to ‘TODAY’ Studio Amid Ongoing Search for Missing Mother
February 24, 2023
Savannah Guthrie made a surprise appearance at the TODAY studio on Thursday, marking her first return since her mother’s disappearance. The case, now entering its 32nd day, has kept the family in suspense as authorities investigate. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 after dinner at her daughter Annie’s home in Tucson, Arizona. She vanished the following day when she failed to attend an online church service at a friend’s residence.
A spokesperson for the show noted that Guthrie’s visit was a gesture of solidarity with her colleagues. “She plans to return to the air, but her priority remains supporting her family and aiding the search for Nancy,” the statement emphasized. The visit, captured in images from outside the studio, showed Guthrie visibly moved as she embraced her team and wiped away tears.
“She said she intends to come back, even though it feels like the hardest thing to do. It’s still her home, and she feels so loved here,” Jenna Bush Hager shared while on air, her voice cracking with emotion.
Sheinelle Jones, who co-hosted the third hour of TODAY, added, “We’re not out of the storm, but there’s a light somewhere even in the midst of it.” She reassured Guthrie, saying, “Whenever you’re ready, we’re here.”
The FBI released doorbell camera footage from the morning of Nancy’s disappearance, revealing an armed and masked man near the Guthrie family home. Investigators have identified him as a suspect but have not publicly named him. The man is described as between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build, and was seen carrying a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
While the Guthrie family continues their search, they have offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery. In a statement on February 24, Savannah expressed both hope and uncertainty: “We believe she can come home, but we also know she may be lost—or already gone.”
Though Guthrie’s presence at the studio was brief, it provided a moment of comfort for her team. Her absence from the show since the incident has been a testament to her focus on the family’s well-being and the search for her mother.
Daniel Arkin, a senior reporter at NBC News, reported on the developments from the Tucson area.
