Savannah Guthrie ‘Still Praying for a Miracle’ But ‘Fearing the Worst’ Amid Mom’s Disappearance

It was an incredibly emotional moment. On March 5, Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today show to be with her colleagues and to thank them for their support amid the ongoing search for her beloved mother, Nancy. “We got to see her this morning and in her perfect way, she talked to all of us, hugged every single person in this room, the crew,” a choked-up Jenna Bush Hager shared with viewers. “She said that she has the intention to return to the show even though it feels like the hardest thing to do. It’s also her home and where she feels so loved. And she is beyond loved here. So we’re happy she’s home.”

The 54-year-old hasn’t been back to Studio 1A since her 84-year-old mother was abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., home in the early hours of Feb. 1 — and the decision to return to New York City could not have been an easy one for the veteran broadcaster. “In some ways, it’s been good for Savannah to clear her head and get away,” a source tells Star, adding that the NBC News anchor needed to ground herself again. “But it’s also a real wrench to be away from the investigation, which is obviously front and center of her thoughts every single second of the day and night.”

A Newsroom United

Savannah went from breaking the news to becoming a part of it after her mother disappeared without a trace. “From the outset, the whole team has told Savannah to do what she needs and not worry about work, or the future of her job,” says the source. Still, “it’s been extremely challenging for them to report on the kidnapping because they’re so close to the story and the subject,” the source admits. Amid Savannah’s absence, Hoda Kotb, who left the Today show in January 2025, has returned to fill in for her former co-anchor. “Having her gone has been a challenging adjustment since she’s the heart and soul of the show,” says the source. “But Hoda’s return helped steady the ship and everyone’s vowed to pull through and keep things going while Savannah deals with this nightmare.”

The mom of two, with husband Michael Feldman, has been “so moved” by the “kindness and compassion” that’s been extended to her during this difficult time, adds the source. “This whole ordeal has been a living hell, but it has at least shown Savannah how many people truly care about her.” On Feb. 18, the broadcaster’s colleagues wore yellow ribbons in honor of Nancy and bouquets of yellow roses were arranged around the studio, Today reported. “Right now, Savannah is doing her utmost to cling to the positives,” reveals the source, “and having all the love and support from her Today show family is one small mercy that’s helping her to hold things together and stay strong.”

Lost & Found

As the search enters its second month, Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, have grown more desperate, offering a $1 million reward for Nancy’s recovery. They’ve also publicly acknowledged that their beloved mother, who has a pacemaker and was taken from her home without her life-saving medication, may already be gone. “It’s unspeakably devastating to them that Nancy has still not been found,” says Star’s source. “Savannah is still praying for a miracle, even though things are looking undeniably bleak right now.”

Surveillance footage revealed a masked intruder attempting to break into Nancy’s home on the morning of her disappearance, but police have yet to identify a suspect — though they have cleared family members of suspicion. “Savannah is doing her best to hang in there and hold out hope but is fearing the worst, basically,” reveals the source. “The investigation has been intense and slow-moving, which hasn’t helped matters, especially after mistakes were made and so many supposed leads wound up leading to nothing.” And the clock is ticking down, despite hundreds of calls to the FBI tip line. “Savannah has tried to stay patient, but her nerves are utterly shredded,” says the source. “No matter the outcome at this point, her life has been turned upside down and she’s forever changed as a result of this nightmare.”