Savannah Guthrie Breaks Down in Tears Welcoming Fans Back to Today Show Plaza

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Savannah Guthrie, the 54-year-old anchor of the Today show, returned to the morning news desk on Monday, April 6, after more than two months away amid the ongoing investigation into her mother Nancy Guthrie's disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1. While Guthrie remained stoic during the 7 a.m. broadcast, she became emotional when she joined her colleagues on the Today show plaza to greet well-wishers, many of whom were holding signs and wearing yellow ribbons in a show of support.

Why it matters

Savannah Guthrie's return to the Today show desk after her extended absence due to her mother's disappearance is a significant moment, both for Guthrie personally and for the show's viewers who have followed the story. Guthrie's emotional reaction to the outpouring of support from fans highlights the personal toll the situation has taken, while also underscoring the strong connection she has built with the Today show audience over the years.

The details

During the 8 a.m. hour of the broadcast, Guthrie joined her colleagues Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Carson Daly on the Today show plaza to greet fans. Melvin introduced Guthrie as the show's 'North Star,' and as she walked out holding hands with Bush Hager, Guthrie told the crowd, 'These signs are so beautiful. You guys have been so beautiful. I've received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my family. We feel it. We feel your prayers so thank you so much.' At one point, weatherman Al Roker offered Guthrie his handkerchief, which she jokingly declined, saying, 'This is such a nice pocket square I don't want to slobber on it.' Guthrie also shared an emotional embrace with a fan wearing a 'Welcome Home Savannah' shirt, telling the woman, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here.' Prior to her April 6 return, Guthrie had not been on air since January 30.

• On February 1, Nancy Guthrie failed to show up for a virtual church service, prompting the Pima County Sheriff's Department to launch an urgent search.
• Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, after her family dropped her off at her home in Tucson, Arizona.
• Savannah Guthrie visited the Today show studio in March to thank the staff and crew for their support and love during the continued search for her mother.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The search for Nancy Guthrie continues, with investigators believing she was kidnapped overnight based on surveillance footage of a masked man at her front door. Authorities are asking anyone with information about her disappearance to contact the FBI or the Pima County Sheriff's Department.