The Today show studio set and wider 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City has an increased security and police presence in the wake of the kidnapping of co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned from sources close to the situation the ramped up security at NBC is being carried out in an abundance of caution. The police and private security presence at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, aka 30 Rock, where NBCUniversal also has an office, is usually strong as the Manhattan landmark is popular with tourists and shoppers.
But the Arizona abduction incident impacting Today co-host Savannah Guthrie is understood to have left fellow talent and crews around the NBC weekday mornings show heartbroken, and led to beefed up security measures until Nancy Guthrie is found.
Guthrie’s mother Nancy Guthrie, 84, was allegedly taken from her Tuscon, Arizona home against her will this past weekend, likely at some point between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The Today talk show has covered Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance with breaking news and latest development coverage.
The coverage includes segments on the Guthrie family, and the bond Savannah Guthrie and her mother share. Savannah Guthrie has been off air since the abduction, and on Wednesday night, she and her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, released an emotional video plea to the suspected kidnappers.
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the New York Police Department for comment on stepped up security at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Rival networks have also been asked about stepped up security measures they may be taking around their own talent, TV sets and production offices.
THR understands that other network news organization have yet to beef up their own security measures, but are prepared to do so if proactive steps are required. There’s a prevailing mood of shock and concern at NBC, especially because on-air talent share their families via broadcasts and social media channels — and you can (at least) double that at the morning shows.
Another network echoed a prevailing somber mood among talent and crews when reached by THR, including fears of copy cat actions against TV personalities in the wake of the Guthrie kidnapping. Security around public-facing TV shows, or those on remote locations, has increased in recent years amid increased criticism of mainstream media outlets and recurring death or stalking threats against major talent.
On Thursday, the FBI put up a $50,000 reward for pertinent info in the case. At a joint press conference with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, local and federal law enforcement also revealed that the blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch was hers. They shared a working timeline of the suspected crime, and also revealed details from the ransom note they believe to be legitimate.
This is a developing story.
