Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today show on Thursday after a dramatic mid-air exit the previous day.
The Australian-born host, whose mum Nancy’s disappearance three months ago gained international attention, seemed to be in good spirits, with no mention of her abrupt departure on Wednesday.
Viewers of the show became concerned during Wednesday’s episode when Guthrie left 30 minutes before the end.
Guthrie’s co-anchor Craig Melvin was on the Today Plaza along when he announced, “Savannah had to leave a little early. She will be right back here tomorrow though.”
The missing persons alert issued by police for Nancy Guthrie. Image: Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Savannah Guthrie returns after abrupt exit
Melvin had been on the Plaza speaking to Guthrie’s former high school teachers in the audience, and alongside her exit, it highlighted the sadness of Guthrie’s experience this year.
Guthrie has only just returned to her hosting duties after taking an extended leave of absence amid the now-confirmed abduction of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.
Nancy was taken from her Tucson, Arizona, home in the early morning hours of February 1.
The Guthrie family is offering a $1 USD million reward, in addition to $100,000 pledged by the FBI, for information leading to Nancy’s return.
Savannah Guthrie and her mother, Nancy. Image: Instagram
Kash Patel slams Guthrie investigation
Head of the missing person’s case, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, was slammed this week by FBI Director Kash Patel.
“The first 48 hours of anyone’s disappearance are the most critical,” Patel shared on Hang Out with Sean Hannity. “For four days, we were kept out of the investigation.”
Patel also claimed he “launched hundreds of agents and intel staff to Phoenix and Tucson just for this case, just to be on standby.”
Nanos responded to Patel’s comments in a statement on X: “We remain committed to a thorough, coordinated and fact-based investigation and will continue working closely with our federal partners as the process moves forward.”
Top image: Savannah Guthrie. Image: YouTube