The disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, has even left Dateline’s most investigative correspondents perplexed.
“The really sad story of Nancy Guthrie is sometimes when you get all the publicity in the world that you could want and then 10 times more, it still doesn’t make a difference,” Josh Mankiewicz exclusively shares in Us’ new cover story out Wednesday, November 4. “We deal all the time with families who are going through what the Guthrie family is going through, just a little more privately — I think without that colossal torrent of publicity — but they’re going through the same thing. It is hell on earth.”
In addition to serving as a correspondent for NBC’s long-running television newsmagazine and true crime series, Mankiewicz, 71, also hosts the “Missing in America” podcast.
Whether he’s covering the disappearance of Nancy, 84, or other missing persons, Mankiewicz believes every case brings out a variety of emotions.
“It is heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to Savannah as it does to all the people who are in that situation,” he says. “Unfortunately, there’s way too many of them.”
Journalist Blayne Alexander says Nancy’s disappearance is personal, as she’s worked alongside Savannah, 54, at the Today show and NBC News for many years.
As police continue searching for answers more than nine months after Nancy was reported missing, Alexander, 49, says she still gets “sick to my stomach” thinking about the case.
“I know Savannah. We all know Savannah. I love her dearly, and she’s one of the most incredible people,” Alexander explains to Us. “To see something like this happen is unbelievable. But to see it happen in such close proximity is hard. We just send all the love to her. And yes, we can’t stop saying that phone number enough.”
Anyone with information surrounding Nancy’s disappearance is urged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Savannah confirmed via Instagram on Sunday, November 1, that a reward up to $1 million is available for information that leads to the recovery of her beloved mother.
“Our mom was a light in this world. We want to celebrate her and give her the dignity she deserves,” Savannah shared. “Please. We are begging you. Please help us. Thank you to all those who have been kind and shown the best of humanity. Join us in praying without ceasing💛.”
Nancy was last seen on January 31, one day before she was reported missing after failing to attend a virtual church service. Despite video footage taken from Nancy’s front door camera showing a masked man attempting to enter the premises, no suspects have been named at the time of publication.
“We just want Nancy’s case to be solved for Savannah and their family,” Andrea Canning tells Us. “Call the FBI if you have any information. Keep it alive, keep the story out there. Someone out there knows something, and this is one of those cases that’s going to require someone to have the courage to talk.”
For more from your favorite Dateline correspondents, pick up the latest issue of Us — on newsstands now.
Dateline airs on NBC Fridays at 9 p.m. ET with episodes available to stream next day on Peacock.
