Guthrie withdrew from co-hosting the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony as she focuses on the continued search for her 84-year-old mother.
WASHINGTON — Mary Carillo will take over co-hosting duties for the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony as Savannah Guthrie steps away amid her mother’s disappearance.
NBC Sports announced Wednesday that Carillo will join Terry Gannon for the Opening Ceremony on Friday. Guthrie had to withdraw from co-hosting the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony as she “focuses on being with her family during this difficult time.”
Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother has been missing for four days, with law enforcement saying that foul play may have been involved. On Tuesday, investigators confirmed they found signs of forced entry in Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson-area home. Investigators still do not have a suspect or person of interest, the sheriff’s department said in a statement Wednesday morning.
Additionally, Ahmed Fareed will now host NBC’s Olympic Late Night coverage from Feb. 7-9. Fareed is replacing “Today” co-host Craig Melvin, who will now remain stateside for duties tied to the show.
Carillo has hosted 14 Olympic Games on NBC.
“Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support,” Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President, NBC Olympics Production, said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talented commentators who will step in and fill these roles. Mary is one of the most experienced Olympic commentators ever and a master storyteller. She and Terry will lead the American audience through one of the world’s greatest global moments. With his skill and versatility, Ahmed has proven time and again he can step into any hosting role, and we’re thrilled he’s available to handle our late night coverage before heading to Los Angeles for NBA All-Star Weekend.”
Savannah Guthrie asks for prayers amid mother’s disappearance
In a social media post on Monday, the “Today” host asked for prayers to help bring back her 84-year-old mother.
“We believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him,” she said on Facebook. “Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.
“We need you,” she added. “He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.”
“Bring her home,” the “Today” show host said.
An overnight kidnapping
Nancy Guthrie was described by investigators as “sharp as a tack” but with mobility issues that would prevent her from leaving the house on her own. Authorities also said during press conferences on Monday and Tuesday that there were certain things at the house that made them suspect some sort of foul play.
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” he said at a Monday news conference. “We do in fact have a crime. We are asking for the community’s help.”
A person familiar with the investigation, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, said investigators found specific evidence in the home showing there was a nighttime kidnapping. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet and car, were still there after she disappeared.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes and analyzing data from cellphone towers. Police are also reviewing information from license plate cameras in the area, according to the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
The motive remains a mystery. Investigators do not believe at this point that the abduction was part of a robbery, home invasion or kidnapping-for-ransom plot, the person said. TMZ reported Tuesday that it received a purported ransom note demanding payment in cryptocurrency for Guthrie’s release. Separately, a journalist with Tucson television station KOLD said in an X post that the station received what appears to be a ransom note. Both outlets said they turned over the notes to investigators.
The sheriff’s department said it’s taking the possible ransom notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon, said he planned to call Savannah Guthrie “later on” and called the situation “terrible.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.