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The “Today” show executives have implemented significant safety measures to ensure the well-being of their NBC team amidst the ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy.
According to multiple insiders speaking to the US Sun on Tuesday, the network has heightened security and increased police presence at its New York City studio as a precautionary step.
“The atmosphere at the studio is quite tense, prompting NBC to enhance security for their on-air personalities,” an insider shared with the outlet.
“In collaboration with the NYPD, NBC is taking extra precautions to guarantee their staff’s safety,” the source continued.
Another source confirmed that both police officers and private security personnel are deployed at the Midtown studio location.
During Tuesday’s episode of “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle,” Sheinelle Jones confessed that “behind the scenes…we’re all rattled” as they continue to follow the story as journalists and as a family.
“We’re all shaken. We all recognize that we have a job to do. But as you guys know, we’re family around here, and it’s not just something that we say. We’ve all been a little rattled.”
Jones continued, saying that “a lot of us had trouble sleeping” following news of the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy from her Arizona home, and that they’re “worried” for Savannah’s mother.
“This morning, I woke up and I was nervous,” Jones said, noting that she checked her phone first thing for any developments — and the “first thing” she saw was Savannah’s emotional social media plea for support.
“I promise you, it gave me this peace,” she shared. “Leave it up to Savannah to impart and remind us of who we are. If she can have faith in a moment like this and ask for prayers, then we are going to give it to her and be reminded by her.”
On Feb. 1, Nancy was reported missing by her family after she failed to appear at church that morning.
It was later revealed that the last time anyone saw the matriarch was the night before, at around 9:30 p.m. local time, following a family dinner with her other daughter, Annie Guthrie.
A Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson told Page Six that Savannah’s mother’s disappearance was being treated as a crime. They believed she was “taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night.”
“That includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” they added. “This is an elderly woman in her mid-80s who suffers from ailments… she couldn’t go 50 yards.”
Police are also refusing to rule out any motives and explanations behind Nancy’s disappearance, including the existence of a “possible ransom note,” which has been sent to multiple outlets.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement Tuesday saying they are “aware of reports circulating about a possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”
“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,” the statement continued. “Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Per the authorities, finding Nancy is of extreme urgency as she “has high blood pressure, [a] pacemaker and cardiac issues.” She also uses daily medication that ensures her survival.
As Savannah remains in Arizona to be with her family, she has since withdrawn from hosting the Winter Olympics, a decision first reported by Page Six.