Savannah Guthrie is not doing well after her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Arizona.
The Today anchor, 54, “is absolutely devastated — beside herself and fearing the worst,” a source exclusively tells the National Enquirer. “She’s trying to be strong, but this has shattered her.”
Savannah’s mother was reportedly last seen on the night of Saturday, January 31, outside her home in Tucson. She was reported missing the following day by family members.
On the Monday, February, 2, broadcast of Today, Sheinelle Jones filled in for Guthrie as coanchor Craig Melvin announced the news of Nancy’s disappearance. The Enquirer source says it’s “a sad, sad day at 30 Rock,” adding that the “mood is heavy” given the uncertainty of the situation.
Instagram/savannahguthrie
“People are walking around stunned,” says the source. “Savannah isn’t just talent here — she’s family.”
According to CBS affiliate KOLD-TV, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos described Nancy’s home as a “crime scene” and said officials believe she did not leave the property on her own.
“The Dateline NBC team immediately offered help. Producers and researchers stepped up without being asked,” says Enquirer’s source. “NBC has put its full weight behind her. This is total institutional support, from the very top down. No hesitation.”
Everyone at NBC is extremely concerned. The source describes executive vice president of Today and Lifestyle Libby Leist as “Savannah’s best friend” and says she “hasn’t left her side.”
“This is personal,” the source says. “So many people here knew Savannah’s mom. [Nancy] wasn’t some abstract figure — she visited the studio, she was proud of her daughter in a way everyone could feel.”
Instagram/savannahguthrie
“Staff adored her. She talked about Savannah nonstop. She was her biggest cheerleader, always beaming about how far her daughter had come,” the source continues. “That’s why this is hitting so hard. People aren’t just worried for Savannah — they’re scared for someone they actually knew and loved.”
Friend and colleague Jenna Bush Hager “is devastated too,” the source says. “She’s holding it together on camera, but behind the scenes she’s shaken and staying close.”
According to the source, finding Nancy safe and sound is “an all-hands situation,” adding that “favors [are] being called in that almost never get called in.”
“All NBC law-enforcement sources and contacts have been activated,” says the source. “At this point, finding her mom has become an NBC job, not just a family crisis.”
Over the weekend, multiple teams responded to the scene, including homicide detectives, according to Today, and foul play has not been ruled out.
Nancy is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds; she has brown hair and blue eyes.