Savannah Guthrie to return to 'Today' show after mother's disappearance

The longtime 'Today' co-anchor will resume her role on April 6 after a two-month absence.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:57pm

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After a two-month absence sparked by her 84-year-old mother's apparent abduction, Savannah Guthrie will return to NBC's 'Today' show next month, saying in an interview that aired Friday 'joy will be my protest.' Hoda Kotb said Guthrie will return on April 6, though Guthrie acknowledged it will be difficult to return to a place of joy and lightness. Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1 and the FBI believes she was kidnapped or abducted.

Why it matters

Guthrie's return to the 'Today' show after her mother's disappearance will be closely watched, as the high-profile anchor navigates her grief and uncertainty while resuming her public-facing role. The case of Nancy Guthrie's apparent abduction has also garnered national attention, with the family offering a $1 million reward for information.

The details

In an interview with her former co-host Hoda Kotb, Guthrie shared that she and her siblings knew their mother's disappearance was not a case of her wandering off, as doors were left open, blood was found on the front doorstep, and a security camera had been removed. Guthrie said they believed her mother was kidnapped for ransom, though some of the purported ransom notes were fake. The FBI has released surveillance video of a masked man outside Guthrie's mother's home on the night she vanished.

  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, 2026.
  • Savannah Guthrie will return to the 'Today' show on April 6, 2026.

The players

Savannah Guthrie

The longtime co-anchor of the 'Today' show, who has been absent from the program for two months following her mother's apparent abduction.

Nancy Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, who was reported missing on February 1, 2026 and is believed to have been kidnapped or abducted.

Hoda Kotb

Savannah Guthrie's former co-host on the 'Today' show, who interviewed Guthrie about her return to the program.

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What they’re saying

“Joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful and when it's not, I'll say so.”

— Savannah Guthrie

“I can't come back and try to be something that I'm not. But I can't not come back, because it's my family.”

— Savannah Guthrie

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Guthrie's return to the 'Today' show will be closely watched as she navigates her grief and uncertainty following her mother's apparent abduction, highlighting the personal challenges high-profile anchors can face while maintaining their public roles.