Savannah Guthrie Reflects on Jesus' Suffering Amid Mom's Disappearance

The 'Today' co-anchor shared an emotional Easter message with her church congregation.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:53am

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In an Easter video message to her church congregation, Savannah Guthrie, the co-anchor of NBC's Today show, questioned whether Jesus ever experienced the specific pain and uncertainty she feels over the disappearance of her mother, Nancy, who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1. Guthrie has been off the air since then, and with no suspects and no proof of life, she has struggled with feelings of abandonment and loss. In her message, Guthrie reflected on Jesus' own words of anguish on the cross, wondering if he too had questions for God during his time in the grave.

Why it matters

Guthrie's deeply personal and vulnerable Easter message resonates with many who have grappled with profound loss and uncertainty in their own lives. Her willingness to openly share her doubts and questions about faith during this difficult time provides comfort and solidarity to those experiencing similar struggles.

The details

In the video message, Guthrie acknowledged that her Easter message was 'dark,' but said she believes it's important to recognize feelings of 'loss, pain and, yes, death' in order to fully celebrate the resurrection. She wondered if Jesus himself experienced the 'torment of uncertainty' and the feeling that 'indefinite pain can feel eternal' during his time in the grave. Despite her grief, Guthrie said she remains hopeful and continues to have faith, closing her eyes and seeing 'a bright vision of the day when heaven and earth pass away because they are one, on earth as it is in heaven.'

  • Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy, disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1, 2026.
  • Guthrie has been off the air from the Today show since her mother's disappearance, with her return scheduled for April 8, 2026 - the 65th day since Nancy went missing.
  • Guthrie delivered the Easter message in a video posted to YouTube on April 6, 2026.

The players

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of NBC's Today show, who has been off the air since the disappearance of her mother, Nancy, on February 1, 2026.

Nancy

Savannah Guthrie's mother, who disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1, 2026.

Jesus

The central figure of Christianity, whose suffering, death, and resurrection are celebrated during the Easter holiday.

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What they’re saying

“Recently, though, in my own season of trial, I have wondered, I have questioned, whether Jesus really ever experienced this particular wound that I feel, this grievous and uniquely cruel injury of not knowing, of uncertainty and confusion and answers withheld.”

— Savannah Guthrie, Today Show Co-Anchor

“On the cross, he cried out, 'My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?' That is the anguished cry of someone who does not know the answers. Where did his soul and his spirit go in those days in between? And what was he thinking? Did he think his time in the grave would be a day or two, or 1,000 years? In the grave, does his agony seem indefinite to him? That torment of uncertainty, the way indefinite pain can feel eternal? Perhaps he did know this feeling after all.”

— Savannah Guthrie, Today Show Co-Anchor

What’s next

Guthrie is scheduled to return to the Today show on Monday, April 8, 2026, marking 65 days since her mother's disappearance. The investigation into Nancy's whereabouts is still ongoing, with no suspects and no proof of life.

The takeaway

Savannah Guthrie's deeply personal and vulnerable Easter message resonates with many who have experienced profound loss and uncertainty in their own lives. Her willingness to openly share her doubts and questions about faith during this difficult time provides comfort and solidarity to those struggling with similar feelings of abandonment and grief.