Savannah Guthrie’s elderly mother has been missing for over a month. The Today Show host hasn’t been on the air for that entire time. Instead, she stayed close to Tucson, Arizona, praying for a break in the case.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1 after missing church. Even with the FBI involved, there has been little progress in finding out where she is and who took her. Savannah Guthrie and her family have been beside themselves with worry. The show named her replacement as her absence continues. Keep reading for more on the ongoing situation.
Today Names Savannah Guthrie’s Replacement
Sheinelle Jones, who was recently named co-host of the Today Show‘s fourth hour, stepped in for Savannah Guthrie during the days after her mother’s disappearance. Former host Hoda Kotb returned the following week to take over. Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, and the other anchors have been taking turns anchoring the morning program in Savannah Guthrie’s absence.
Some viewers fear Savannah Guthrie may never return, whether her mother is found or not. The experience has been brutally traumatizing. The NBC show has given her space and grace during this difficult time. But the show must go on. The Today Show confirmed to PEOPLE magazine that Hoda Kotb will continue to fill in for Savannah Guthrie for the foreseeable future.
Savannah Guthrie Makes Emotional Return To Studio
Savannah Guthrie hasn’t been on the air since her mom went missing. However, she returned to the NYC studio last week to see her co-workers and staff. The emotional and private moment was caught on camera by paparazzi. Today anchors Carson Daly, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and others opened up on Friday, March 6, about the unexpected visit.
Savannah Guthrie was there to thank her colleagues for their support during the difficult family crisis. “[She] said the most perfect words you could ever imagine and looked every one of this family in the eyes,” Carson Daly said.
He shared just how close the anchors are off-camera. “I don’t think it can be said enough. People watch this show and think, ‘Oh, these are people who have to like each other for a few hours and they call themselves a TV family.’ But we do life together and there is something very special about this group,” he said.
Savannah Guthrie’s return to the studio but not television sparked concern about her future with the show. But a spokesperson put those concerns to rest in a statement. “While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”
Savannah Guthrie and her family have offered a $1 million reward for any information leading to her mother’s return. Anyone with information about Nancy’s disappearance is asked to please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department 520-351-4900.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
