The search for NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother has taken another sad turn as investigators deepen their investigation into what could be a kidnapping, and the network announced more changes for its Winter Olympics coverage as a result.
Guthrie had already dropped out of her planned coverage for the Milan Cortina Games, releasing a statement saying she was focusing on family amid the increasingly desperate search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. NBC made another change to the broadcast plans, with one of Guthrie’s closest colleagues now following her in pulling out of the coverage.
NBC Making Another Change
Other members of NBC’s broadcast team will remain in the United States and continue covering the search for Guthrie’s mother. People magazine reported that anchor Craig Melvin will not travel to Milan for NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics.
“The Today co-host will not be part of the network’s on-site Olympics coverage and will instead remain stateside, NBC announced on Wednesday, Feb. 4,” the report noted. “Melvin had been scheduled to host Olympic Late Night from Milan from Feb. 7 through Feb. 9. NBC confirmed that Ahmed Fareed, who was already slated to serve as a daytime host in Milan for a portion of the Games, will now host Olympic Late Night in Melvin’s place.”
The network announced that Terry Gannon and Mary Carillo will fill in to host the Opening Ceremony coverage on Friday. The network released a statement announcing the changes and sharing support for the Guthrie family.
“Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support,” Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC Olympics Production, said in a statement, via People magazine.
“We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talented commentators who will step in and fill these roles,” Solomon added. “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.”
Savannah Guthrie and other family members have taken a role in the search for their missing mother, releasing a video asking for her to be returned safely. Investigators have not given exact details of what was included in an alleged ransom note.
Nancy Guthrie Search Takes Sad Turn
Investigators in Arizona have said they are treating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance as a potential abduction, with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos saying she was “removed from the house against her will,” CNN reported.
While media outlets reported a ransom note, investigators said there has been no “proof of life” for Nancy Guthrie and no follow-up communication after the letter.
CNN reported that investigators are working through many tips related to her disappearance and found signs of a violent struggle outside her home.
“The sheriff said investigators have gone through more than 100 tips as they follow leads in the case. Blood found on the porch of Guthrie’s home ‘came back to Nancy,’ Nanos said, and a front-door camera is missing,” the report noted.
Olympics News Emerges as Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Takes Sad Turn