Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie has abruptly canceled her high-profile assignment to anchor NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy after her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home under circumstances authorities are calling a crime scene.
Guthrie was scheduled to fly to Italy on Monday to prepare for co-hosting Friday’s opening ceremony in Milan and anchoring prime-time coverage. Instead, she spent the day in Tucson, where a massive search is underway for her mother, who was reported missing on Sunday.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is being treated as a criminal investigation. “The sheriff there tells me she was taken against her will from her bed in the middle of the night,” NBC anchor Tom Llamas reported on NBC Nightly News.
A source close to Guthrie described the initial call informing her of her mother’s disappearance as “the worst phone call of her life.” Guthrie immediately flew to Tucson and is being assisted by a security team in coordination with local authorities.
NBC has mobilized its vast platform to aid the search. Guthrie’s Today show colleagues repeatedly shared the Pima County Sheriff’s tip line (520-351-4900) on air and online. Llamas led Monday’s national newscast with the story, telling viewers, “This hits too close to home for our newsroom… Our thoughts and prayers are with Savannah and her family right now.”
In a family statement issued Monday, Savannah Guthrie expressed gratitude for the search efforts: “We are so thankful for the love and support from family, friends, the authorities, and the media. Our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
Nancy Guthrie, a longtime Tucson resident, has been featured on the Today show multiple times. In a segment last fall, she spoke fondly of her life in Arizona, calling it “wonderful” and “laid back and gentle.” Savannah has often credited her mother’s strength, especially after the sudden death of her father when Savannah was in high school.
Guthrie’s Olympics hosting duties are now on hold. A network source confirmed she will not host Friday’s opening ceremony, though NBC has not made an official announcement regarding replacements.
The NBC community has united in support. Llamas concluded his broadcast with a direct message: “Savannah, we know how strong you are, we are praying, and we won’t stop until you find her.” The search for Nancy Guthrie continues as authorities urge the public for any information.
