In an emotional return to the Today show, Savannah Guthrie stepped back into her role on Thursday, May 7, after her unexpected departure during Wednesday’s broadcast left viewers with many questions.
“Savannah had to leave a little early, but she will be right back tomorrow,” co-anchor Craig Melvin reassured viewers as Guthrie exited the show abruptly—without any explanation. Fans were left concerned as the 54-year-old star disappeared from the anchor desk about 30 minutes before the show was scheduled to end. But Thursday’s return showed the beloved anchor in high spirits as she sat alongside Willie Geist, discussing the much-anticipated Legally Blonde prequel.
“I just love Elle Woods! I connect with her, and now we get to see her in high school,” Guthrie excitedly shared, reflecting on her past Legally Blonde Halloween costume, where she dressed up as Reese Witherspoon’s iconic character.
However, the shocking departure came amid Savannah’s ongoing personal battle. Just over a month ago, Guthrie returned to Today after taking a leave of absence to deal with the heartbreaking abduction of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was taken from her Tucson home on February 1. The case remains unsolved, with no official suspects identified yet, leaving a cloud of uncertainty and heartache over Savannah’s return.
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Savannah Guthrie and her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on the ‘Today’ set in 2023.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Despite this, Guthrie has remained remarkably composed, sharing in a candid moment on Today that her return to work was not just a step forward in her career but an essential part of her healing process. She stated, “I can’t not come back because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now. 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.”
In the face of such personal tragedy, Guthrie’s strength is undeniable. In a recent interview with Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb, Savannah tearfully shared, “I will not fall apart. I will not let whoever did this take my children’s mother from them. I will not let them take my joy.”
The ongoing investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s abduction continues to unfold, with disturbing revelations about the handling of the case. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are still working tirelessly to find answers, though the family remains in limbo.
As Savannah continues to navigate this difficult time, her return to the Today show has not only brought a sense of normalcy but also an opportunity to find strength and joy through her purpose—delivering news with a smile, even in the hardest of times.
For anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
