NBC host Savannah Guthrie steps away from Winter Olympics coverage, search continues for missing mother Nancy
A TV network has been forced to reshuffle its Olympics coverage after Today Show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother suddenly disappeared, and a chilling ransom note turned up.
NBC has reshuffled its Opening Ceremony coverage for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan after Today show host Savannah Guthrie stepped away from the broadcast as authorities continue searching for her missing mother.
The network confirmed the change, saying they were moving quickly to support Guthrie, 54, and her family as the investigation into the disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, enters a critical phase.
Mary Carillo will step into co-hosting NBC’s Opening Ceremony coverage alongside Terry Gannon as the network rallies around Guthrie during the unfolding search.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support,” said Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC Olympics Production, in a statement.
“We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talented commentators who will step in and fill these roles. Mary is one of the most experienced Olympic commentators ever and a master storyteller. She and Terry will lead the American audience through one of the world’s greatest global moments,” Ms Solomon continued.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Games will mark Carillo’s 17th Olympic assignment and her 14th with NBCUniversal.
Guthrie’s Today co-host Craig Melvin has also withdrawn from travel plans and will remain in the United States, NBC said.
NBC confirmed Ahmed Fareed will now take over hosting duties for Olympic Late Night. Fareed had already been scheduled to serve as a daytime host in Milan during part of the Games.
These changes come as authorities continue to search for Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, who was reported missing on Saturday, January 31.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department launched an urgent search the following day for the “vulnerable” 84-year-old, saying she was last seen near her home close to East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue at around 9.30pm local time.
Officials said she was reported missing after failing to attend church on Sunday afternoon.
It has been revealed that investigators believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will.
“Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
In a startling development, hosts of TMZ Live, Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere, revealed on Tuesday (local time) that they received a threatening ransom note for Ms Guthrie.
“So we got something in our email that...is written like a ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mother,” Levin said.
Latibeaudiere added that there were “specific requests for certain amounts of money and bitcoin”.
“It was very specific and also...there were certain things they’re saying about what she was wearing and damage to the house...we don’t know if it’s authentic or not, but when you read it, they are acting as if ‘yeah, only we would know these things and we’re serious’,” Levin continued.
“There’s a dollar demand and an ‘or else’ in there.”
The pair forwarded the note to the Sheriff’s Department, who later said they were aware of “reports circulating about possible ransom note(s)“ and were “taking all tips and leads very seriously”.
It comes after Mr Nanos declared Ms Guthrie’s home a “crime scene”.
“We have an 84-year-old woman who went to bed Saturday night and come Sunday morning, she’s gone,” he said.
“We know, at least we believe, and I believe we know, she did not walk out of that home on her own.”
As the investigation continues, President Donald Trump contacted Guthrie to offer support, calling shortly after an interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas.
Mr Trump assured the Guthrie family that state and federal authorities would make every resource available as needed.
Guthrie later thanked the president for taking the time to contact her family, telling Llamas they were devastated and praying, and that prayers were needed more than anything.
She also expressed her gratitude for the efforts of local and federal law enforcement.
Officials said they remain hopeful that Nancy is still alive.
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in an interview with NBC’s Liz Kreutz that aired on the Today show on February 4. “She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her.”
Authorities have confirmed there are no suspects as the search continues.
