Nancy Grace, who hosts “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace,” recently reflected on the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, recalling her own experience of losing her fiancé nearly half a century ago. Grace’s fiancé, Keith Griffin, was shot by a former coworker in August 1979, just months before their wedding, following his dismissal from the company.
In an emotional interview, Grace shared, “When my fiancé was murdered, I didn’t want to speak. I wanted to go into the woods and howl like an animal—there were simply no words.” His killer was convicted in 1980 and spent over 25 years in prison before being paroled in 2006.
Grace discussed the pain of losing her partner to what she describes as a senseless act of violence. “It was truly devastating,” she said. “Not only was he gone, but it was such a violent crime—foolish, pointless. For what? It made no sense, especially coming from a loving upbringing and having that happen right before our wedding. It was overwhelming.” This recent disappearance reignited her grief, and Savannah Guthrie’s first interview after her mother’s abduction made Grace feel as if she wanted to scream out in anguish again.
“When Savannah spoke, her expression—it was heartbreaking. She addressed her mother, feeling as if she had let her down, saying ‘Oh, mom, mom, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,’” Grace noted.
Recalling the deep pain she felt, Grace admitted, “I was transported back to that horrible moment when I was in darkness. I felt like screaming again because I just didn’t have words.” This tragedy shifted her career path, leading her to work for victims of crime.
“I had initially studied to be a professor of Shakespearean literature, but I knew I couldn’t find happiness in the classroom, which had been my dream,” she mentioned. Eventually, she opted to attend law school to better assist crime victims. Grace attended Mercer University for law and later earned a master’s degree in law from NYU, though she described this period of her life as somewhat of a blur.
Grace explained, “If you look at the books I kept, there are watermarks—like studying in a bathtub. When exhausted, I would think of Keith’s big blue eyes and know that I had a responsibility to fulfill.” Her complete conversation with Sean Hannity is available on the podcast, Hang Out with Sean Hannity.
