Savannah Guthrie returned to the “Today” show studios on Thursday, March 5, 2026, for the first time since her mother went missing on Jan. 31. She met with colleagues and crew members during an emotional off-camera visit as the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie enters its second month without significant breakthroughs.
Though the longtime “Today” co-anchor did not appear on air, TMZ captured footage of her hugging staff through the iconic Studio 1A windows before she waved to people outside and left in an SUV.
“Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her Today colleagues,” an NBC representative said. “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.”
During Thursday’s broadcast, Guthrie’s colleagues Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones became emotional discussing the visit, noting she “hugged every single person” there. Bush Hager said Guthrie told the team she intends to come back—”even though it feels like the hardest thing to do, it’s also her home and where she feels so loved.”
Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31 after her son-in-law dropped her off at her Catalina Foothills residence near Tucson following a family dinner. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to log in for a virtual church service. Investigators have treated the case as a likely abduction from the beginning, citing “very concerning” conditions inside the home and the discovery of her blood on the front porch.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News that Nancy was probably taken “possibly in the middle of the night.” More than a month later, authorities have not identified a suspect publicly.
Footage from her Nest doorbell camera shows a masked, gloved, armed individual approaching the door and tampering with the camera around 1:47 a.m. on Feb. 1. The FBI reported the person appeared to be male, around 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 with an average build, carrying a black Ozark Trail backpack sold exclusively at Walmart. Despite reviewing thousands of hours of surveillance and executing numerous search warrants, investigators have not made any arrests.
Authorities are also looking into a damaged utility box near Nancy’s home that might be related to an internet outage reported the night she disappeared. The disruption affected security cameras in the area. After speaking with residents door to door, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department found several neighbors experienced internet problems that night — suggesting the suspect may have used a Wi-Fi jammer before approaching the home.
A glove found about two miles from the Guthrie residence briefly seemed like a strong lead because it looked similar to those worn by the suspect. However, DNA testing linked it to an unrelated restaurant worker. Additional gloves discovered in the area are still undergoing analysis at a private lab in Florida.
The Guthrie family has posted a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery, supplementing the FBI’s $100,000 reward. Several suspicious ransom notes have been sent to local media and TMZ, but officials have not confirmed any as authentic.
Savannah stepped away from her co-anchor responsibilities immediately after her mother vanished, including withdrawing from her planned role covering the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Former “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb rejoined the broadcast to anchor with Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones.
The 54-year-old host has released several emotional video messages pleading for information. In a Feb. 24 update announcing the $1 million reward, Guthrie acknowledged the painful reality: “We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home. We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone.”
On Tuesday, Mar. 3, Savannah, her sister Annie, and her brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni visited Nancy’s home for the first time since she disappeared, placing yellow flowers at a growing memorial near the mailbox. The tribute includes handwritten notes, crosses, and even an open letter addressed to the kidnapper.
Sheriff Nanos provided an update the same day, expressing cautious optimism even without major public developments. “I think investigators are definitely closer,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of intel, a lot of leads, but now it’s time to just go to work.”
Her coworkers have continued showing their support, with many wearing yellow ribbon pins to symbolize hope for Nancy’s safe return.
Anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or 520-351-4900.