Today Show doesn’t know if Savannah Guthrie will return after mother Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping

Savannah Guthrie has been absent from NBC’s Today show since February 1, when her 84‑year‑old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona — and there’s growing uncertainty within the network about whether she will ever return to her co‑anchor role.

According to television insiders cited by Status News, many executives believe Guthrie is unlikely to resume her position on Today given the emotional toll of her family’s ongoing ordeal. One source told the outlet, “There’s no way Savannah’s coming back. I can’t imagine she would even want to.” Another added, “Savannah was always the glue on that show, and without that, this whole paradigm of our morning anchor team as a family, that connective tissue has just been ripped out.”

Guthrie’s absence comes as authorities, including the FBI, continue to investigate the disappearance of her mother, and the case has become a central focus of public attention and news coverage. Nancy Guthrie was last seen outside her home after surveillance footage captured a masked, armed individual disabling her doorbell camera, and investigators believe she did not leave of her own accord. The sheriff’s office and federal agents are urging the public to submit tips as the search enters its third week.

In Guthrie’s absence, former Today co‑anchor Hoda Kotb has stepped in to co‑anchor with Craig Melvin, despite having left the show in January 2025. Sources say NBC is taking the situation “week by week” as the family crisis continues. “Savannah is with her family and focused on bringing her mom home,” one insider told People, adding that her “priority” remains her mother’s safe return.

At this stage, NBC has not announced any plans or timeline for Guthrie’s return, and the talk among television veterans suggests the iconic morning anchor may never resume her previous role, even if the search for Nancy yields results. The possibility that Guthrie might step away from Today permanently underscores both the profound personal impact of her family’s tragedy and the challenges the network faces in planning for the future of its flagship program.