Savannah Guthrie‘s Today cohosts found a subtle way to show their support as the search for her mom, Nancy Guthrie, continues.
During the Wednesday, February 18, episode of the Today show, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly and Al Roker wore small pins with yellow ribbons. There were also yellow flowers in the NBC studio, which symbolize hope.
“So many people [are] placing yellow flowers near Nancy’s home and all across the city [of Tucson, Arizona],” Kotb, 61, noted while cohosting Today. “We got a suggestion from one of our viewers here, we’re doing the same here.”
She continued: “Yellow roses around Studio 1A and we’re all wearing ribbons as we send our love to Savannah and her family.”
Nancy’s neighbors previously showed how they’re coming together as a community in a Today segment earlier this month, which showed yellow ribbons tied around trees in the area where Savannah’s mother went missing. A local flower shop has also received rush orders for yellow flowers.
“We’re happy to be able to contribute,” an employee told the show. “If it brings any comfort or relief to the family, it’s nice to be able to be involved in that.”
Another neighbor spoke about the effort to show up for the Guthries, adding, “It is important to show support for your neighbors. Especially in a very trying time like this.”
Elsewhere in the segment, a sign outside of a TV station in Arizona read, “Bring her home.” People were seen leaving messages for Nancy, 84, and Savannah, 54, as a way of offering hope amid the ongoing search.
“My heart breaks,” a local said. “Everyone feels like they’re going through it with [Savannah]. We are with her.”
Savannah’s mother was reported missing in Arizona on February 1 after she was last seen one day prior. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has continued to offer updates on the case as the search for Nancy enters its third week.
Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, have released multiple statements pleading for their mom’s safe return. Four ransom notes have also been sent to TMZ from a person claiming to know who kidnapped Nancy and demanding one Bitcoin in exchange for information. (TMZ founder Harvey Levin said on Tuesday, February 17, that the publication will no longer publicly reveal any new notes.)
The FBI, meanwhile, released photos and video footage of a subject outside of Nancy’s home on February 10. Authorities later announced a $100,000 reward for information that could help identify a potential suspect, doubling their initial offer.
Amid public speculation, Nanos issued a statement on Monday, February 16, saying the Guthrie family was ruled out as suspects.
“To be clear … the Guthrie family — to include all siblings and spouses — have been cleared as possible suspects in this case. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case,” Nanos wrote in a statement via X. “To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel. The Guthrie family are victims plain and simple.”
He emphasized to Tucson’s KOLD 13 that “not one single person in the family is a suspect,” noting that Nancy’s loved ones were ruled out “in the first few days” and have been “100 percent cooperative” in the search.
“So I am telling everyone, effective today, you guys [media] need to knock it off, quit,” Nanos said. “People are hurting. They are victims. I am saying they are clear. We have cleared them.”
In a separate interview with NBC News, Nanos explained why he chose to address the rumors about the Guthrie family/
“Because sometimes we forget we’re human and we hurt, and kindness matters. It is every cop’s duty to stand up and be that voice for our victims. I’m not going to sit in silence when others are attacking the innocent. Isn’t that what the badge represents?” he said. “I’m not going to sit in silence when others are attacking the innocent. Isn’t that what the badge represents?”
