Savannah Guthrie returns to host Today programme for first time since mother's disappearance: 'Good to be home'

Alex Davies
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:23:48 +0000

Savannah Guthrie stepped back behind the anchor desk at NBC's Today programme on Monday morning, marking her first live broadcast since late January when her mother vanished.

The 54-year-old journalist appeared alongside co-presenter Craig Melvin at Studio 1A in Rockefeller Centre.

The news presenter's attire seemed to bear significance as she opted for a bright yellow dress. The colour has become synonymous with hope and solidarity with the Guthrie family in Arizona.

After running through the morning's headlines, including developments on Iran and rising petrol prices, Ms Guthrie briefly acknowledged her absence.

"It is good to be home," she declared with a smile.

Her co-host, Mr Melvin, warmly responded: "Yes, it is good to have you back at home."

"Well, here we go, ready or not. Let's do the news," Ms Guthrie said, before continuing with the broadcast.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 when a friend dropped her off at her residence in the Tucson area. She was reported missing the following day.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has classified her disappearance as a presumed kidnapping after discovering concerning evidence at her property.

Investigators released footage from a security camera showing a masked and armed individual at the 84-year-old's front door on the night she went missing.

Authorities are currently working to identify mixed DNA recovered from the scene, though no arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly named.

The FBI joined the investigation and initially offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Ms Guthrie's mother's recovery.

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This sum was subsequently increased to $200,000 before the Guthrie family announced they would contribute up to $1 million.

During an interview with her former co-presenter Hoda Kotb that aired last month, Ms Guthrie spoke candidly about her decision to resume her duties.

"It's hard to imagine doing it because it's such a place of joy and lightness, and I can't come back and try to be something that I'm not," she explained.

"But I can't not come back, because it's my family. I think it's part of my purpose right now."

She added: "I want to smile. And when I do, it will be real. And my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer, and being there is joyful. And when it's not, I will say so."

Ms Guthrie also expressed uncertainty about whether she could fulfil the role as before.

"I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I'll belong anymore, but I would like to try," she said.

Ms Guthrie shared a heartfelt video message on Easter Sunday from Good Shepherd New York church, reflecting on her struggles with faith amid her mother's disappearance.

"There are moments in which that promise seems irretrievably far away, when life itself seems far harder than death," she said.

"These moments of deep disappointment with God, the feeling of utter abandonment."

The search for the 84-year-old has now entered its 10th week, with thousands of federal and local officers alongside volunteers involved in the effort.

Despite the extensive operation, there has been no trace of the mother of three.