Katie Couric is no stranger to being in the spotlight during hard times. But even she can't imagine what current "Today" show anchorSavannah Guthrieis going through as authoritiescontinue to searchfor hermissing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who waslast 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."
More:Savannah Guthrie, her missing mom and why so many feel her pain
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 bea leading advocatefor early colorectal cancer screenings because of the profound impact Monahan's death had on her and her family.
"I cannot stop thinking andworrying 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 onInstagram 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 hostSheinelle Joneswent through when shelost her husbandto glioblastoma inMay of 2025.
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"She was taking care of herhusband, 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 ortips.fbi.gov, thePima County Sheriff's Department(520-351-4900) or88-CRIME.
Madeline Mitchell's role covering women and the caregiving economy at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership withPivotalandJournalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
Reach Madeline atmemitchell@usatoday.comand@maddiemitch_on X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Katie Couric, Savannah Guthrie and facing heartbreak on the 'Today' show