Craig Melvin has pulled out of presenting duties ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan as the hunt for co-star Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother Nancy continues.
The Today show host, 46, was scheduled to helm Olympic Late Night from Italy between February 7 and February 9, but it has since been announced that he will instead remain stateside.
NBC has confirmed Ahmed Fareed as the new host of Olympic Late Night. He was already scheduled to serve as a daytime host in Milan for a portion of the Games.
On Thursday morning, Melvin was visibly emotional as he shared Guthrie’s desperate plea for the return of her abducted 84-year-old mother Nancy.
‘Most days, of course, Savannah greets you right here from this desk, but this morning, our dear friend has a very different message,’ he said.
Guthrie, 54, and her siblings, Annie and Camron, released a video statement on Instagram and sending direct messages to their mom and her abductor.
‘We want to play that video for you right now, in its entirety,’ Melvin said, before looking down at his desk.
In the video, Guthrie described her mother in glowing terms and graciously thanked everyone across the country who offered prayers and support.
Craig Melvin will no longer be a part of NBC’s Winter Olympic coverage in Milan, Italy
His absence comes amid the frantic search for his Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy, who was reported missing on Sunday
She also directly addressed her mother’s possible captors, in the first public admission that she may be held for ransom.
‘We too have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,’ she said. ‘As a family, we are doing everything that we can.’
Guthrie said to the potential kidnappers that ‘we are ready to talk’ but wanted proof that they weren’t potentially using fraudulent images of her.
‘We live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,’ she continued. ‘We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her.
‘We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.’
Directly addressing her mother, Guthrie said: ‘Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter, Nancy.
‘We believe and know that even in this valley, he is with you. Everyone is looking for you, mommy, everywhere. We will not rest, your children will not rest until we are together again.’
Nancy vanished on Saturday evening after she was dropped off at her sprawling property in Tucson, Arizona by her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni.
Mary Carillo has been named as Guthrie’s replacement while Ahmed Fareed has taken Melvin’s presenting duties
At the time of writing, no suspect has been identified, and police insist there is no danger to the wider public.
Investigators have not ruled out that Nancy may have been targeted because she is the mother of the famous Today show host.
On Wednesday, Daily Mail revealed fresh doubt was cast on the tip off that first led to alarms being raised over Nancy’s abduction.
A fellow congregant at Nancy’s church in Tucson was initially reported to have alerted the Guthrie family after she failed to attend a morning service on Sunday.
However, a source told the Daily Mail that Guthrie had not been at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for years.
Ever since the Covid pandemic, she has been worshipping ‘online.’
It is understood that St. Andrews does not have a large-scale Zoom call for online viewing, as some religious organizations do.
Instead, the church’s 9am and 10.45am services on Sundays are live-streamed and it is impossible for other participants to know who else is watching.
Investigators have not ruled out that Nancy may have been targeted because of Guthrie
FBI spotted back at home of Guthrie’s sister Annie amid search for mom
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said a congregant called Nancy’s family at 11am on Sunday after she failed to arrive at church.
Our source did not know who called the family, but said Nancy was ‘known and loved in the whole community.’
News of Melvin’s absence from NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage comes after it was confirmed that Guthrie, 54, would no longer be co-hosting the Opening Ceremony with Terry Gannon at Stadio San Siro on February 6.
Instead, Guthrie will remain with her family as they desperately seek answers on the disappearance of her mom.
Sportscaster and former professional tennis player Mary Carillo, who will be working her 17th Olympic Games, has been announced as her replacement.
‘Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support,’ said Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President, NBC Olympics Production.
‘We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talented commentators who will step in and fill these roles.
‘Mary is one of the most experienced Olympic commentators ever and a master storyteller.
‘She and Terry will lead the American audience through one of the world’s greatest global moments.’
She continued: ‘With his skill and versatility, Ahmed has proven time and again he can step into any hosting role, and we’re thrilled he’s available to handle our late night coverage before heading to Los Angeles for NBA All-Star Weekend.’
