"TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie will not host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday as Arizona authorities continue to investigate her mother’s possible abduction.
“Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time," an NBC Sports spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday. "Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother. We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon.”
Savannah Guthrie had been set to depart for Italy this week to co-host with Terry Gannon. She was to have been joined later by former “TODAY” co-host Hoda Kotb for the rest of the Games.
The decision about the opening ceremony comes amid an ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, who was reported missing around noon Sunday from her home outside Tucson after she failed to show up at church, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News. She was last seen the night before, around 9:45 p.m., when family members dropped her off at home.
Her family searched her home and property for nearly an hour before they called authorities Sunday, Nanos said. Savannah Guthrie was absent from the “TODAY” show Monday and Tuesday, and authorities say she is in Arizona.
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” she wrote Monday night on Instagram.
Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and is without her necessary daily medication. She had no cognitive issues, and her disappearance was not linked to dementia, Nanos has said, describing her as “sharp as a tack.”
“We know she was harmed at the home, but we don’t know to what extent,” Nanos told NBC News. In an interview later with the Arizona Daily Star newspaper of Tucson, Nanos refused to confirm or deny she was harmed, saying he “misspoke or something.”
Nanos has not provided additional details about the investigation. He did say law enforcement officials have Guthrie’s cellphone and car and are reviewing video from cameras at her home, where she lives alone and employs staff members. He urged her neighbors to “go through their Ring cameras” and said authorities were aware of any threats against Savannah Guthrie.
Savannah Guthrie added in her Instagram post: “He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ A verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us. Bring her home.”
