Savannah Guthrie briefly stepped away from the Today show as the search continues for her mother, Nancy Guthrie. The 84-year-old was last seen on January 31, 2026, and police believe she was abducted overnight by an unknown individual from her Tucson, Arizona, home. Now, as the case continues, questions about her future on Today have intensified.
The journalist sat down with Hoda Kotb in an interview to discuss her mother’s abduction. Shortly thereafter, Savannah confirmed her return date to the show, but amid her resilient comeback, Savannah announced a new gig at NBC.
Below, learn what we know so far about Savannah’s future on Today.
How Long Has Nancy Guthrie Been Missing?
At the time of publication, Nancy has been missing for 99 days. Authorities have not identified possible suspects, but they’ve briefly detained several people. All of them are no longer in police custody.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told The New York Times that police are not giving up on looking for Nancy.
“Maybe it’s an hour from now. Maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now. But we won’t quit,” he told the publication. “We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy.”
What Happened to Nancy Guthrie?
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Nancy was taken from her home against her will. Blood was found at the scene, and surveillance footage from that night showed a masked individual covering security cameras at the Tucson residence.
Is Savannah Guthrie Leaving the Today Show?
No, Savannah never confirmed a permanent departure from Today, but several reports suggested her return would be unlikely. As the search for her mother continues, insiders indicated that the longtime co-anchor would be stepping away for good.
According to Status News, one television executive bluntly said, “There’s no way Savannah’s coming back. I can’t imagine she would even want to.” While NBC has not issued an official statement about her future, colleagues at Today have continued to voice their support, with the network reportedly giving her the time and space she needs during the ongoing crisis. A source told Page Six, “The entire show and network is rallying together in support of our beloved colleague and friend as we navigate this unimaginable time.”
One insider also told the outlet that the staff at Today “all pray constantly” for Nancy’s case to be solved, adding, “Everyone at Today is taking this day by day, and of course giving Savannah the grace, time and support she needs.”
Nevertheless, Savannah returned to the program in March to sit down with her friend Hoda for an interview. She then came back to work full-time in early April.
However, in May 2026, Savannah announced a new NBC gig hosting an upcoming game show based on “Wordle.” The announcement prompted viewers to speculate that she may be leaving Today, though Savannah has not mentioned any departure plans from Today.
When Did Savannah Guthrie Come Back to the Today Show?
Savannah returned to Today on April 6, 2026.
“It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness, and I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not,” Savannah explained. “But I can’t not come back, because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now.”
