Savannah Guthrie and her husband, Michael Feldman, were photographed leaving New York City on Friday, one day after an intruder entered the "Today" show offices and confronted co-anchor Craig Melvin.
Sources told the Daily Mail that Guthrie, 54, found the security breach "incredibly triggering," especially given its timing. The incident occurred shortly after Guthrie had left the building on Thursday morning. A source described the timing as "heartbreaking," noting that the incident "hit differently for her" given recent personal challenges.
Intruder Incident Details
The intruder, identified as Andrew Truelove, reportedly stormed the "Today" show building looking for Al Roker but encountered Melvin instead. During the confrontation, the intruder allegedly used a racial slur against Melvin. Truelove is now facing multiple hate crime charges. NBC News has reportedly fired a security guard believed to have allowed the intruder access to the studio.
Melvin and Roker have since been granted protective orders against Truelove.
Personal Context for Guthrie
Guthrie's departure from New York comes amid ongoing personal difficulties. In February, her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, went missing from her Arizona home. The case remains unsolved, and Guthrie and her siblings have publicly appealed for information, offering a substantial reward.
The security breach at her workplace reportedly exacerbated her distress. "After everything Savannah has endured with her family, this happened just moments after she walked off the set," a source told the Daily Mail. "It hit everyone hard, but it hit differently for her."
Upcoming Hiatus
Guthrie was already scheduled to take a hiatus from the "Today" show for several weeks to film a new Wordle-based game show for NBC. She announced this upcoming break on the same morning as the security incident. Colleagues expressed relief that she would have time away to decompress.
"Everyone is relieved she’s taking the next few weeks off to film another project," a source said. "She’ll get some distance from all of this while everyone back here catches their breath." Insiders added that "nobody would blame Savannah if she decided she needed more time," emphasizing a desire for her well-being.
Security measures have reportedly been enhanced at the "Today" show, and Guthrie's personal protection has also been increased. Colleagues have expressed concern for her emotional state, with one source noting, "The whole newsroom is protective of Savannah right now. People are worried less about the show and more about her. They just want her to be okay."