Savannah Guthrie Visits TODAY Studio, Tells Colleagues She Plans to Return to Show

The TODAY co-anchor made her first off-air appearance at Studio 1A since her mother Nancy vanished from her Tucson home 33 days ago — hugging colleagues and calling the show her “home.”

Savannah Guthrie walked back into Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center on Thursday morning — her first visit to the TODAY show set since her 84-year-old mother Nancy was reported missing more than a month ago. NBC confirmed she told colleagues she plans to return to air, though no date has been set.

The visit came on day 33 of the search for Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood near Tucson, Arizona. No suspect has been publicly named. The case remains open and active.

Video obtained by TMZ showed Savannah through the show’s iconic studio windows, embracing staff and crew members one by one. Former co-anchor Hoda Kotb — who has filled in during Savannah’s absence — was also seen in emotional tearful greeting as the two reunited in front of the assembled team.

The Visit: What Happened at Studio 1A

Savannah arrived at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City Thursday morning, slipping in off-camera to be with the people she works with every day. According to NBC, she made a point of going person to person through the studio.

Co-anchor Jenna Bush Hager described it to viewers during the 10 a.m. hour of TODAY: Savannah “hugged every single person in this room.”

“She said that, you know, 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.”— Jenna Bush Hager, TODAY co-anchor, on air, March 5, 2026 (via CNN)

Co-anchor Sheinelle Jones echoed the sentiment, channeling what the team told Savannah during her visit: “Whenever you are ready, we are here.”

On her way out of the building, Savannah gave a brief smile and acknowledged well-wishers outside before getting into a waiting SUV. The visit was not broadcast on air.

What NBC Said: The Official Statement

A TODAY spokesperson confirmed the visit to multiple outlets on Thursday morning. The statement was identical across NBC News, Fox News Digital, CNN, and the Associated Press.

“Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues. While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”— TODAY Spokesperson, official statement (March 5, 2026)

CNN had reported on February 27 that Savannah intends to return at some point, but sources close to her indicated there was no timetable. NBC is reportedly giving Savannah and her siblings time to process the ongoing disappearance of their mother.

Who Has Been Filling In for Savannah?

Since Savannah stepped away from the anchor desk in early February, the TODAY show has leaned on familiar faces to keep her seat warm.

Former co-anchor Hoda Kotb has mostly filled in for Guthrie alongside co-anchor Craig Melvin. Sheinelle Jones, described as a rising talent within the morning show, has also taken on a larger role during Savannah’s absence.

TODAY has dedicated a segment — and often two — each day to reporting on the latest developments in the Nancy Guthrie case since her disappearance. The show has become one of the primary platforms through which the family has made public appeals.

Kotb, who departed TODAY as a regular co-anchor in early 2025, returned voluntarily to support her longtime colleague. The reunion between Kotb and Savannah during Thursday’s studio visit was described by multiple eyewitnesses as emotional.

A Difficult Few Weeks for the Guthrie Family

Savannah has spent most of the past month in Arizona with her siblings — her sister Annie and brother Camron — as the investigation has unfolded. The family has remained a constant public presence, releasing multiple video appeals and maintaining an active push for tips from the public.

On Monday, March 2, Savannah, Annie, and Annie’s husband Tommaso Cioni made an emotional visit to a tribute set up near Nancy’s mailbox. They hugged one another and added yellow flowers to the growing memorial.

On February 24, the family announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery — one of the largest family-funded rewards in a missing person case in recent memory.

“Please keep praying without ceasing. We still believe. We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home, hope against hope.”— Savannah Guthrie, Instagram, February 2026

In the same announcement, Savannah acknowledged that while her family believes Nancy “can come home,” they also “know that she may be lost” and may “already be gone.”

The Search for Nancy: Where the Investigation Stands

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen the evening of January 31, 2026, after having dinner at her daughter Annie’s home in the Tucson area. She was expected the following morning at a friend’s house to watch an online church service — a regular Sunday ritual. When she did not show up, her family raised the alarm.

Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce. Bloodstains found at her home were confirmed to be hers. A masked suspect was captured by her Google Nest doorbell camera during the early morning hours of February 1.

The FBI described the suspect as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build. In the doorbell camera images, he wore a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. He has not been publicly identified.

The investigation has been start and stop for more than a month. At times, as new evidence was uncovered, there appeared to be positive momentum. The recovered doorbell footage was described as the best opportunity for a big break, but the masked and armed man in the brief videos has not been identified.

The FBI is asking anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has also set up a tipline and an online form for tips.

The Broader Story: What Savannah’s Return Means

Savannah Guthrie has been a TODAY co-anchor since 2012. The show has been one of the most-watched morning programs in the United States for most of that time. Her absence has been deeply felt by both her colleagues and the show’s audience.

Her Thursday visit — informal, off-camera, and focused entirely on thanking others rather than being seen — was widely described in newsrooms as a signal of resilience, not a return to normalcy.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that NBC has given Savannah and her siblings time to process the ongoing disappearance of their mother, and the crew would welcome her back with open arms whenever she feels ready.

There is no precedent in recent U.S. broadcast history for a major network anchor stepping away this long under comparable circumstances. The prolonged absence has sparked broader conversation about how television networks and newsrooms support their on-air talent during personal crises of this magnitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Savannah Guthrie appear on TODAY on March 5?

No. Savannah visited Studio 1A off-camera, spending time with colleagues and crew behind the scenes. She was not on air. NBC confirmed the visit in a formal statement but said she remains focused on supporting her family and helping find Nancy.

When is Savannah Guthrie returning to TODAY?

No date has been set. NBC’s official statement says she “plans to return to the show on air” but is “focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.” CNN reported in late February there was no timetable, and the decision is entirely up to Savannah.

Who has been filling in for Savannah on TODAY?

Former co-anchor Hoda Kotb returned to fill in alongside Craig Melvin, with Sheinelle Jones also taking on more airtime. All three hosts addressed Savannah’s studio visit during the 10 a.m. hour on March 5.

What is the current status of the search for Nancy Guthrie?

As of March 5, 2026, Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 33 days. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are jointly leading the investigation. A masked suspect was captured on doorbell camera footage but has not been identified. DNA evidence collected so far has not matched anyone in the FBI’s national database. The family is offering a $1 million reward; the FBI is offering up to $100,000.

How can people help find Nancy Guthrie?

Tips can be submitted to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department also has an online tip form. Tips can be made anonymously. The combined reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery and the arrest of those responsible is up to $1.1 million.

Has there been any progress in the investigation?

Investigators have reviewed up to 10,000 hours of surveillance video and received more than 13,000 tips. A glove found 2 miles from the scene did not match any profile in the national DNA database. Digital forensic teams are reviewing cell tower data and pursing forensic genetic genealogy as the next major investigative step. No suspect has been publicly named.

What Happens Next

The search for Nancy Guthrie enters its second month with no suspect publicly identified and no confirmed timetable for Savannah’s return to the air. Investigators are pursuing digital forensic leads, including cell tower analysis and forensic genetic genealogy.

Savannah’s visit to Studio 1A on Thursday signals that she is thinking about her eventual return — but has made clear that bringing her mother home comes first. Her colleagues say the door is open whenever she is ready.

The TODAY show is expected to continue its daily coverage of the Nancy Guthrie investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. This story will be updated as developments warrant.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as new information becomes available. Last updated: March 5, 2026, 3:17 PM ET.

Sources: NBC News (Daniel Arkin), CNN Business, Associated Press, TMZ, Deadline Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, Fox News Digital, First Coast News. All quotes attributed to their original sources.