Hoda Kotb Returns to Today Amid Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mom

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The Today family is leaning on each other amid the search for Nancy Guthrie.

After Savannah Guthrie’s mother, age 84, was reported missing last week, Hoda Kotb came back to Today and shared her close relationship with the journalist.

She expressed how deeply saddened she was by the situation, saying she was grateful to be with her colleagues—Carson Daly, Sheinelle Jones, and Craig Melvin—during this difficult time. She described feeling helpless, explaining that they are all very close to the person involved and want to offer support.

The 61-year-old highlighted that Savannah consistently goes out of her way to help and support her family and friends.

Hoda, who shares daughters Haley, 9, and Hope, 6, with her ex, Joel Schiffman, recalled that Savannah was the first person at the hospital when Hope was ill.

And she pointed out how each of her Today colleagues has a similar story.

Savannah immediately flew to be with Carson when his parents passed away, he confirmed with a nod. She also supported Sheinelle when her husband, Uche Ojeh, died, and was there for Craig when his brother passed away. She consistently shows up for people in times of loss.

Hoda, who stepped down from her role on Today last year, also talked about how she’s supporting her friend through this difficult time.

She continued, “I was just thinking about how people say love is patient and kind. So, we’ll be patient and pray – that’s really all we can do right now.”

Craig, co-hosting with Sheinelle while Savannah is with family in Tucson, Arizona, agreed with Hoda. He finished by saying, “We have hope because of prayer. It’s a combination of both.”

The Guthrie family has released videos asking anyone who might have taken Nancy—whose home is now a crime scene—to please bring her home safely.

In a video posted to Instagram on February 5th, Savannah’s brother, Camron Guthrie, pleaded with whoever has their mother to make contact. “We haven’t heard from them directly,” he said, “and we need to be able to communicate to resolve this.”

He explained, ‘First, we need to confirm you have our mother.’ The 61-year-old shared this message a day after he, Savannah, and his sister Annie Guthrie released a statement together. He added, ‘We want to speak with you and are awaiting your call.’

With the search for Nancy Guthrie still ongoing, here’s a more detailed look at the details of her disappearance.

Police say 84-year-old Joan Guthrie, mother to Annie, Camron, and Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, around 9:30 p.m. on January 31st.

Police confirmed to Today that Nancy, age 84, was reported missing by her family on February 1st. A friend became worried when Nancy didn’t attend church that morning and alerted her family. After searching her property for about an hour, her children contacted authorities and reported her missing around noon.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later explained the first steps of the investigation, which involved detectives specializing in homicides, at the victim’s home.

We usually don’t need to involve the sheriff in situations like this, but the details emerging from the house are deeply troubling,” he said at a press conference on February 2nd. “This case was particularly unusual based on what officers described and what we discovered at the scene.

“This isn’t how things usually work,” Nanos explained. “Normally, our homicide team only investigates when there’s a death, a body to examine. In this case, we sent them out based solely on the information the surveyors provided.”

After looking into what happened, officials stated they think a crime occurred at Nancy’s house.

During a press conference on February 2nd, Nanos stated that investigators now believe they have confirmed a crime scene after processing the location. He appealed to the public for assistance, noting the community has consistently helped solve difficult cases and he hopes they will do so again.

The sheriff pointed out that Nancy had difficulty walking – she couldn’t walk even a short distance on her own – which led him to suspect something wasn’t right about her disappearance.

He stated definitively, “She didn’t simply leave on her own,” and explained that evidence at the location suggests she didn’t leave voluntarily.

The search for Nancy is ongoing, and officials are concerned because she requires daily medication to stay healthy, and she doesn’t have it with her.

During a press conference on February 2nd, Nanos explained that an 84-year-old woman under their care is facing serious health problems and urgently needs medication. Without it within 24 hours, her condition could become life-threatening.

We’re asking anyone with information about this – if you’ve seen or heard anything at all – to please get in touch. Call 911. We want to avoid another tragedy and really need the public’s help.

Although Nancy has faced some health challenges, her mental sharpness remains excellent, according to Nanos.

According to Nanos, Nancy Guthrie is mentally alert and this situation isn’t related to dementia. She’s very sharp and aware. The family wants to emphasize that she didn’t simply wander off, and any physical limitations are simply due to her age.

With the search for Nancy still ongoing, Nanos expressed his wish for her to come home safely.

“I hope we find her safe and sound,” he emphasized, “but we cannot ignore what’s in front of us.”

The day after Nancy was reported missing, the anchor of the Today show shared how difficult this time is for her family.

Speaking for my family, I want to express our gratitude for all the kind thoughts, prayers, and supportive messages we’ve received,” she told NBC’s morning show on February 2nd. “Our top priority right now is bringing Nancy home safely.

She expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in the case and asked anyone with information to please reach out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Once Savannah Guthrie learned her mother, Nancy, had been reported missing, her colleagues on the Today show quickly expressed their support publicly.

Jenna Bush Hager shared on the February 2nd episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle that she is personally close to Nancy, saying, “We love Nancy.”

She continued, saying they were keeping Savannah and her family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Sheinelle Jones emphasized the importance of community during this difficult time. 

She felt the show was at its best when it asked viewers to help, encouraging anyone with information for the Pima County Sheriff’s department – even seemingly insignificant details – to come forward.

She added, “So we’re sending our prayers but we’re also sending our collective action.”

Before concluding the segment, both hosts continued, “We love you, Savannah.”

And Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist also urged fans to keep an eye out for Nancy.

On February 2nd, he posted on Instagram asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona. He also included the department’s phone number, stating that she was missing.

Savannah’s former colleague, Hoda Kotb, responded to the surprising announcement by posting a heartwarming picture of Savannah and Nancy together on the Today show set. In a simple message on Instagram from February 2nd, Hoda shared a red heart and praying hands emoji.

Police have labeled Nancy’s home in Arizona a crime scene, but they say there’s no reason for the public to be concerned about their safety.

At a press conference on February 2nd, Pima County Sheriff Nanos stated that he didn’t believe there was a current danger, but emphasized that the investigation was still ongoing and much work remained.

Savannah hasn’t been on Today since February 1st, when her mother was reported missing. However, local authorities have been checking in with her to make sure she’s okay.

The sheriff confirmed they had spoken with her. Her security team has been communicating with them all night, but they aren’t ruling anything out at this point.

On Feb. 2, Pima County police shared a series of updates on the timeline of Nancy’s disappearance.

Investigators now believe the woman was likely taken from her home against her will, potentially while she was sleeping, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. They are investigating the case as a possible kidnapping.

After news broke that Nancy might have been taken from her home in Arizona while she was sleeping, Savannah made a heartfelt plea.

In a recent Instagram post on February 2nd, she shared her faith, writing about the power of prayer, the strength of unity, and a belief in love, hope, goodness, and humanity – with a central faith in God.

Savannah continued, thanking everyone for keeping her mother, Nancy, in their thoughts and prayers. She described Nancy as a woman of strong beliefs and a devoted person, and asked for continued prayers, believing they would offer comfort and strength right now.

She added, “we need you.”

To conclude her plea, Savannah shared a Bible verse from Isaiah.

She shared a timeless verse from Isaiah, writing, ‘He will keep those with steadfast hearts, who trust in the Lord, in perfect peace.’ It’s a message for everyone, always.

Savannah continued, “Bring her home.”

As a lifestyle expert focused on safety and well-being, I want to share an update on the Nancy case. Sheriff Chris Nanos has confirmed that investigators discovered DNA evidence inside Nancy’s home, and it’s now officially being treated as a crime scene. This is a significant development, and we’re following the situation closely.

We collected samples and are hopeful they contain enough DNA to help us identify what we’re searching for, he told NBC News in a report on Today on February 3rd.

On February 4th, Savannah, Camron, and Annie read letters hoping to secure their mother’s safe return. The letters were addressed to both their mom, Nancy, and anyone who might be holding her, asking for her release.

In a video posted to Instagram, the family said they are doing everything possible and are willing to communicate. They emphasized the prevalence of manipulated media and requested undeniable proof that their loved one is alive and in the possession of those they are addressing.

My mom is the center of our world and everything to us. Her health is very delicate, and she’s in pain all the time. Right now, she doesn’t have the medication she needs to stay alive and feel better.

The next day, Camron confirmed in a separate video that the family was still “waiting for contact.”

We’re asking whoever has our mother to please contact us. We haven’t received any direct communication, and we need to establish a way to communicate so we can begin to resolve this.

During a press conference on February 5th, FBI special agent Heith Janke stated that authorities are treating a ransom letter shared with TMZ as very serious. He also noted that the Guthrie family is still awaiting further contact from the individuals involved.

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2026-02-06 19:20