Savannah Guthrie Steps Away From Winter Olympics Coverage Amid Mother’s Disappearance

Savannah Guthrie will not be part of NBC Sports’ coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony this week as her family faces a deeply troubling situation.

NBC Sports confirmed on Tuesday that the Today co-host has stepped away from the Olympics coverage in Milan to focus on her family, following the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie.

“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. “Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother.”

Savannah was scheduled to co-anchor the Opening Ceremony on Friday, but NBC said it will share updated coverage plans soon.

Meanwhile, authorities are treating the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie as a possible abduction. Investigators are now testing potential DNA evidence found at her Tucson-area home, which is being considered a crime scene.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told Today that samples were collected in hopes of identifying what happened. “We took some samples that we hope will have a DNA profile that gives us some identification as to what we’re looking at,” he said. Results could take several days.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, blood was found at the home, though officials have not confirmed who it belongs to.

Sheriff Nanos has been direct about his concerns. “I believe she was abducted,” he said. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly. This is an 84-year-old lady who, in the middle of the night, while she’s asleep, is taken from her home.”

He later clarified that this does not necessarily mean Nancy was taken directly from her bed, but that she was removed from the home against her will.

Savannah Guthrie has been absent from Today since the news broke. She has been temporarily replaced at the anchor desk by Sheinelle Jones alongside Craig Melvin.

In a brief but emotional Instagram post, Savannah shared a message of faith and hope, writing: “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.”

As the investigation continues, support has poured in from viewers, colleagues, and fans, all hoping for answers — and for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.