Mike Tirico from NBC expressed his deep concern for Savannah Guthrie, a colleague whose 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on Sunday.
According to a press briefing from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, authorities suspect that Nancy was taken from her Tucson residence on Saturday night, potentially against her will in what they classify as a “kidnapping or abduction.”
“My heart is shattered. It’s heartbreaking for all of us,” Tirico remarked to reporters before the upcoming Super Bowl featuring the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
“I’ve been feeling unsettled ever since I learned about this. It’s just hard to comprehend.”
“I was lucky enough to work alongside Savannah during several Olympics and got really close with the ‘Today’ show crew… They are exceptional professionals. And as for personal connections, well, what you see during their broadcasts is genuine. These are incredibly special people, and we’re just devastated, praying for Savannah and the entire family during this tough time.”
“This is definitely a time for concern for our family members. We care greatly for Savannah, and we urge everyone to keep them in their thoughts. They deserve support through something as distressing as this.”
An NBC representative announced on Friday that Savannah will no longer be co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics ceremony in Milan due to these unsettling circumstances.
She was supposed to head to Italy this week to co-host with Terry Gannon, but the recent developments have changed everything.
Tirico, who will be covering his fifth Olympics, is stepping in as one of NBC’s main hosts for the game on Sunday.
At a Tuesday press conference, Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that DNA evidence collected from Nancy’s house did not lead to any suspects.
Video from the crime scene showed blood stains on the ground outside her front door.
“We know she suffered harm in her home, but the specifics are still unclear,” Nanos mentioned.
On Tuesday, two ransom notes referencing Nancy were delivered to news outlets.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that it’s working with the FBI on this case.
“We are aware of the circulating reports regarding a potential ransom for Nancy, and we take all tips very seriously. Any information received is directed to detectives collaborating with the FBI,” the statement asserted.
In terms of her physical description, Nancy is about 5-foot-5, weighs around 150 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.
Authorities noted that she requires daily medication, which is crucial for her health, and added that she does not have any cognitive issues.
“Her ability to move around is quite limited, and we are confident she did not leave the premises willingly,” Nanos stated. “There were various indications at the scene suggesting she didn’t just walk away on her own.”
Authorities revealed that Tommaso Cioni, who is married to Savannah’s sister Annie, was the last individual known to be with Nancy prior to her abduction.
