Savannah Guthrie's reference to her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, on the TODAY show sparked worries she might believe the octogenarian to be dead.

Published on: Sep 11, 2026, 11:29:44 IST

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Savannah Guthrie's reference to missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, on the Thursday episode of the TODAY show sparked worries online. Many felt the TODAY show host was expressing her belief that the 84-year-old was dead.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Authorities believe she was kidnapped the night before. It has been over seven months and no suspect has been announced to the public in the Nancy Guthrie case. Authorities have also not zeroed in on her possible whereabouts, as far as public information is concerned.

What did Savannah Guthrie say about Nancy Guthrie?

Savannah Guthrie spoke about Nancy Guthrie in the past tense when referring to her missing mother.

“My mother’s family w-, my mother was Irish, her grandmother,” the NBC personality said, adding “They were from Galway.” The comment came as Savannah was seated between Al Roker and Craig Melvin.

She reportedly maintained a smiling demeanor and quickly turned the conversation around, asking Carson Daly “You have some Irish, right?”. Notably, Savannah Guthrie reportedly lamented earlier that Nancy Guthrie might be dead after the February incident.

However, a source denied to New York Post that the TODAY show host's use of past tense for Nancy was an acknowledgement of her demise. The Pima County Sheriff's Department, who are lead investigators, are also treating the case as a kidnapping. They have made no mention about Nancy Guthrie possibly being dead.

The department described the case as ‘active and ongoing’ and noted “DNA and video analyses remain ongoing, supported by laboratories nationwide. Advances in technology are aiding investigative efforts, and tips continue to be received and reviewed.”

Savannah Guthrie's admission sparks worries

Despite the denial, Savannah's admission sparked worries online. Outlets reporting on it noted that it was a ‘sad admission’ and a ‘heartbreaking’ one.

Self-styled investigator Jonathan Lee Riches, or JLR, also asked “Savannah Guthrie just referred her mother in past tense. My mother WAS Irish! Where is Nancy Guthrie?”.

TODAY show gets heightened security amid Nancy's case

Defenses have reportedly been reinforced on the TODAY show amid the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie. It also comes after a crazed intruder breached security and got into the TODAY studios in July.

Staffers have reportedly expressed relief, with one telling Page Six “It was much-needed and took longer than people would have liked, but it does feel a lot better now.”

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