Kotb, who left the show in 2025, returned to fill in for Guthrie in February.

Hoda Kotb shows Savannah Guthrie support as she returns to Today 2 months after mom Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance

Kotb, who left the show in 2025, returned to fill in for Guthrie in February.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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April 6, 2026 10:49 a.m. ET

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Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on 'Today'. Credit:

Savannah Guthrie is officially back on *Today*, and Hoda Kotb is cheering her on from the sidelines.

Monday morning marked Savannah's first broadcast back on the show since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Arizona in February. For two months, Guthrie took time away from her role to be with her family as authorities investigated her mother's disappearance.

During that tumultuous period, Kotb — who departed the show in 2025 — stepped up to fill in for Guthrie. As she passes the baton back to her former colleague, Kotb shared a brief but sweet message for Guthrie on social media.

"With you xoxo," Kotb wrote on Instagram, captioning a throwback photo of Savannah with her children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9.

During the April 6 broadcast that marked her return, Savannah told co-anchor Craig Melvin, “It's good to be home."

Melvin replied, "It's good to have you back at home," to which she added, "Well, here we go. Ready or not, let's do the news."

Savannah Guthrie with Vale and Charley on May 26, 2017.

Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

When she walked out to the *Today* plaza later in the broadcast, where she was welcomed with kindness, applause, and signs of support, Guthrie got choked up.

"These signs are so beautiful. You guys have been so beautiful. I’ve received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my whole family. And we feel it. We feel your prayers. So thank you so much," Guthrie said tearfully, as co-anchor Al Roker handed her a handkerchief.

Prior to her official return to the show, Guthrie sat down for an emotional interview with Kotb that saw her share new details about her mother's disappearance and the grief that her family has suffered in the aftermath. Additionally, Guthrie opened up about her plans to return to *Today*, which she admitted would not be easy.

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"It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness, and I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not," Guthrie told Kotb. "But I can’t not come back because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now. I want to smile. And when I do, it will be real."

She continued, "My joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful. And when it’s not, I’ll say so. I have been so grateful to have this family. I consider this my family, my greater family, and when times are hard, you want to be with your family. And I want to be with my family."

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb in 2011.

Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage

After the segment aired on March 27, Kotb announced Savannah's April 6 return date.

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Nancy Guthrie was last seen outside her Catalina Foothills, Ariz., home on the evening of Jan. 31 when she was dropped off at home after having dinner with family. The following day, Guthrie was declared missing. By Feb. 2, the situation had grown dire: traces of Guthrie's blood had been discovered on her porch, her home was declared a crime scene, and a large-scale search was launched.

Over two months into the search for Nancy, authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest. FBI Director Kash Patel previously shared photos and video of a masked person on Nancy's doorstep, from footage captured on the night she disappeared.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI urged those with information to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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Source: “EW Talk”