Hoda Kotb Returns Amid Savannah Guthrie’s Absence

The “Today” show host has stepped onto the plate after previously announcing her exit, filling in for her longtime co-host because the case of the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, intensifies. Nancy has been missing for nearly a month, while her daughter stepped away from her profession to deal with the search.

Hoda Kotb rearranging her plans to fill in for Savannah Guthrie is an indication and a testament to the family spirit they proclaim on the “Today” show.

Reality has Kotb back on the “Today” anchor list ahead of anyone expected, and her time-frame might extend longer than anticipated. It has been confirmed that she is going to proceed to host the morning show alongside Craig Melvin, as Guthrie stays absent.

Guthrie has prolonged her day off from appearing on camera, as her mother, Nancy, has yet to be found. The seek for Nancy has been ongoing in Arizona for nearly a month since news broke out about her disappearance on February 1.

The reports show that Nancy went missing from her home in Tucson hours after being dropped off by members of the family. The silence on the case is deafening, as there was no news of a request for ransom by kidnappers, notwithstanding the Guthrie family still believes “in a miracle,” bearing hopes that Nancy shall be returned.

Kotb returned to the NBC morning show on February 6 to work with Melvin after her former co-host stepped away on February 2 amid her mother’s disappearance, they usually proceed to offer the viewers with every day updates.

With the authorities yet to make any positive progress on the case, it’s uncertain how long Kotb will fill in for Guthrie. Because it stands, the “Today” show viewers may have Kotb on screen for the foreseeable future.

Kotb shouldn’t be a brand new face on the morning show, as she had worked with NBC for nearly thirty years before she decided to step right into a recent chapter of her life. She and Guthrie had hosted the TV show together since 2018 until she parted ways with it in January 2025. 

US Weekly shared that Kotb made the announcement of her departure in September 2024 and has since appeared back on the show occasionally since her final episode.

“I spotted that it was time for me to show the page at 60 and to try something recent. That is the fitting time for me to maneuver on,” she said in the course of the emotional announcement. Guthrie, by her side, stated how much they love her and couldn’t imagine the set without her.

The 61-year-old longtime journalist further explained that the essential reason why she was leaving was her daughters, Haley and Hope. She also released an official statement to the show’s website announcing her exit.

“As I write this, my heart is everywhere in the map,” Kotb’s statement on Today.com began. “I do know I’m making the fitting decision, but it surely’s a painful one. And also you all are the explanation why. They are saying two things may be right at the identical time, and I’m feeling that so deeply immediately. I really like you, and it is time for me to depart the show.”

The times since her disappearance are near a month, and while the seek for the 84-year-old remains to be ongoing, authorities have yet to uncover any significant leads.

Authorities have yet to call a suspect connected together with her disappearance despite the FBI releasing footage of the possible assailant earlier this month, as taken from Nancy’s security cameras.

Some issues have arisen regarding the camera footage, because it has come to light that Guthrie had not paid the regular subscription for the camera’s cloud storage. With this development, it’s difficult to determine a timestamp and determine exactly when the photo of the potential suspect was taken.

The Blast shared that FBI Director Kash Patel previously stated that the photo was taken on the morning of her disappearance. With this, the likelihood that Nancy’s case could change into a “cold case” is high, while the FBI believes there remains to be hope of a positive end result.

Meanwhile, Guthrie has put out a $1 million reward for any information that results in her mother’s recovery, which shall be paid in accordance with FBI criteria for compensation within the case.

The journalist posted emotional messages on social media, asking anyone with information that might help their case to come back forward. She also pleaded that individuals “pray without ceasing” as they hold on to the religion that Nancy will come back home.

“Tell what you already know and help us bring our beloved mom home in order that we are able to either rejoice an excellent, miraculous homecoming or rejoice the attractive, brave, noble, and courageous life that she has lived. Please be the sunshine in the dead of night,” she said.

In one other Instagram video, she acknowledged that her mom might already be gone, but they were holding on to a seed of religion. “We all know that thousands and thousands of you will have been praying. So many individuals have been praying for each faith and no faith in any respect, praying for her return, and we feel those prayers,” she added. “Please keep praying without ceasing. We still consider.”

Guthrie’s fans flooded the comments with prayers, well-wishes, and hope for the journalist. The Blast also notes that while she receives support online, volunteers locally began search groups to help find Nancy.

Stepping in to co-host the morning show with Melvin amid Guthrie’s absence is a technique Kotb has shown support for her friend. PEOPLE reported that she forgoed her trip to Milan, Italy, to cover the Winter Olympics for NBC as well. 

” what, Craig? We all the time speak about our show as a family. We’re a family,” Kotb said as they discussed the seek for Nancy. “I’m a part of the family. I’m comfortable to be with you because we show up for one another.”

She also shared a message of hope, echoing that her thoughts were together with her former co-host and family twelve days after Nancy was reported missing. “Hope is believing that they’re held, even once we cannot hold them,” Kotb wrote on her Instagram stories over a white background, with “A Gentle Sunlight” by James Quinn because the background music.