NBC's Savannah Guthrie Rushes Home After Mother's Disappearance

Guthrie was set to anchor Olympics coverage before family emergency

Feb. 2, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC's 'Today' show, had to cancel her plans to cover the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy after her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Authorities described Nancy's home as a 'crime scene' and asked the public for help finding her. Guthrie immediately flew to Tucson to assist in the search, putting her high-profile Olympics duties on hold.

Why it matters

Guthrie is one of NBC's biggest stars, and her sudden absence from the network's Olympics coverage is a significant disruption. The disappearance of her elderly mother is also a deeply personal tragedy that has gripped the nation. This story highlights the challenges public figures can face when dealing with family emergencies.

The details

Guthrie was scheduled to fly to Italy on Monday to anchor NBC's coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, including the opening ceremony telecast. However, Guthrie spent the day in Tucson supporting a massive search for her mother, Nancy, after she went missing from her home. Authorities described Nancy's home as a 'crime scene' and asked the public for help finding her.

  • Guthrie was supposed to fly to Italy on Monday for NBC's Olympics coverage.
  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing around noon local time on Sunday.

The players

Savannah Guthrie

Co-host of NBC's 'Today' show and a 19-year veteran of the network who was scheduled to anchor NBC's Olympics coverage before her mother's disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, with authorities describing her home as a 'crime scene'.

Chris Nanos

Pima County sheriff who said Savannah Guthrie had been in touch with his office and that she has a security team assisting in the search.

Tom Llamas

NBC News anchor who led the 'NBC Nightly News' coverage of the missing person case, saying the story 'hits too close to home for our newsroom'.

Terry Gannon

Sports commentator who was scheduled to co-host the Olympics opening ceremony telecast with Savannah Guthrie.

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What they’re saying

“The sheriff there tells me she was taken against her will from her bed in the middle of the night.”

— Tom Llamas, NBC News anchor (NBC Nightly News)

“Savannah, we know how strong you are, we are praying, and we won't stop until you find her.”

— Tom Llamas, NBC News anchor (NBC Nightly News)

What’s next

Authorities in Pima County, Arizona, continue to search for Nancy Guthrie, and the Guthrie family is working closely with law enforcement. Savannah Guthrie's Olympics hosting duties remain uncertain as the network mobilizes resources to support her during this difficult time.

The takeaway

This tragic story underscores the personal challenges public figures can face, even as they maintain high-profile careers. Savannah Guthrie's commitment to her family in this time of crisis has earned widespread admiration and support from her NBC colleagues and the broader public.