Katie Couric, Savannah Guthrie and facing heartbreak on the 'Today' show

Katie Couric is no stranger to being in the spotlight during hard times. But even she can't imagine what current "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie is going through as authorities continue to search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on Jan. 31.

"It's such a singular, unique situation for Savannah," Couric told USA TODAY. "My heart has broken into a million pieces for her."

In 1998, Couric lost her husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer. She was an anchor on the "Today" show at the time, and had two young daughters to care for. Couric continues to be a leading advocate for early colorectal cancer screenings because of the profound impact Monahan's death had on her and her family.

"I cannot stop thinking and worrying about Nancy Guthrie, Savannah, her siblings and her children. There is just so much sadness and anxiety in the world − so much cruelty, it is almost impossible to fathom," Couric wrote on Instagram on Feb. 3. "Sending them and all of you out there love and support and praying for the safety and well being of this lovely mom and grandmother and honestly, right now for an entire country that seems lost."

Couric told USA TODAY that she felt her situation was much more similar to what "Today" show host Sheinelle Jones went through when she lost her husband to glioblastoma in May of 2025.

"She was taking care of her husband, and dealing with that devastating diagnosis and his illness, while trying to continue doing her job on the 'Today' show and taking care of her kids," Couric said. "She and I have talked a lot about that. I've tried to be helpful."

But what Guthrie is going through now, Couric said, is "so unusual and so heartbreaking."

"I cannot imagine how much pain she and her family have been in," Couric said.

Law enforcement asks anyone with information on Nancy Guthrie's case to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov, the Pima County Sheriff's Department (520-351-4900) or 88-CRIME.

Madeline Mitchell's role covering women and the caregiving economy at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Reach Madeline at [email protected] and @maddiemitch_ on X.