New Details About the Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Reveal What First Alerted the Family

More than a week after Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing, new details have surfaced about the events that first raised alarm.

Initial reports suggested that concern grew when Nancy failed to appear at a local church service on Sunday, Feb. 1. However, it has since been clarified that, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy had adopted a different routine. Rather than attending in-person services, she regularly gathered with friends in her Arizona neighborhood to watch a virtual service from Savannah’s New York church, Good Shepherd.

When Nancy did not attend the scheduled viewing and could not be reached, her friends contacted her daughter Annie, who had shared dinner with her the previous evening.

Pastor Michael Rudzena addressed the congregation on Monday evening, issuing a call for prayer. “The Good Shepherd community continues to pray faithfully for our parishioner Nancy’s safe return and calls on everyone to offer their faith and love through prayer at this time,” he wrote.

Rudzena also reflected on Nancy’s connection to the church community, noting that she began participating virtually during the pandemic and continued the practice in the years that followed. He described her as someone who frequently shared thoughtful reflections and encouragement tied to scripture and worship.

On Feb. 4, Good Shepherd held a vigil for Nancy, attended both in person and via livestream. Savannah’s colleagues Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager were among those present.

Bush Hager later spoke about the emotional gathering during a Feb. 5 broadcast of her show.

“As I was watching that with Mila, who is old enough to understand what’s happening, and my husband, I had my arm around my little girl,” Bush Hager said. “She kept saying, ‘It’s going to be okay, Mommy.’”

Savannah Guthrie remains in Arizona with her family as the search continues. On Monday, she shared a new video appeal asking for public assistance.

“We believe our mom is still out there,” Savannah said. “We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock, trying to bring her home. She was taken and we don’t know where. And we need your help.”

Authorities have not identified any official suspects or persons of interest and continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.