Savannah Guthrie says family is ‘in agony’ in first interview since her mother’s disappearance
Savannah Guthrie’s Emotional Update on Her Mother’s Disappearance
Savannah Guthrie, a co-host on TODAY, shared her thoughts on the search for her missing mother during a recent interview with Hoda Kotb. The emotional segment, previewed earlier this week, highlights the family’s deep distress more than seven weeks after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance from her home in Arizona. “Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. It is unbearable,” she expressed, repeating the phrase to emphasize the weight of her feelings.
“And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the dark, every night,” Savannah said, reflecting on the imagined terror her mother might have endured. “Those thoughts demand to be thought. I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now.”
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31, 2024, after having dinner at her daughter Annie Guthrie’s residence. Her family reported her missing the following day, February 1, 2024, when she failed to attend a virtual church service at a friend’s home. Authorities have classified the case as a potential kidnapping or abduction, though evidence remains limited.
Investigation Progress and Clues
As the search continues, law enforcement released footage of a suspect linked to the case. The video captures a masked, armed individual tampering with a security camera near the Guthrie family’s Tucson-area home. The FBI is focusing on identifying a man between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build, who was seen wearing a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter backpack in the doorbell camera images.
According to a timeline provided by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on February 1, 2024. Forensic analysis revealed Nancy Guthrie’s blood on the porch of her home, adding to the mystery. Investigators are also exploring genetic genealogy to trace unknown DNA found inside the residence.
Meanwhile, the Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery. The FBI has added its own $50,000 bounty, encouraging public assistance in locating the missing woman. Savannah Guthrie, who has been on leave from the TODAY show, recently visited the New York City studio and stated she plans to return to her role.
Family’s Appeal and Public Support
Following Nancy’s disappearance, Savannah and her siblings posted a heartfelt video on Instagram, pleading for details from the kidnapper and expressing readiness to provide information. They thanked the public for their prayers, stating, “We feel them, and we continue to believe that she feels them, too.”
While Savannah remains dedicated to her family’s cause, she has also hinted at resuming her duties on the TODAY show. A spokesperson noted her intention to return to the airwaves, though her primary focus remains on the search for Nancy. Tim Stelloh, a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, and Pilar Melendez, a breaking news editor with a decade of experience in crime, justice, and national news coverage, contributed to this report.
