By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-18 16:48:41 | Updated at 2026-07-27 01:40:15
1 week ago
Savannah Guthrie has been left deeply shaken after an intruder breached NBC's headquarters just moments after the Today anchor had walked off set, the Daily Mail can reveal.
While Guthrie, 54, was no longer inside the studio when the man made his way into the building following Thursday morning's broadcast, insiders say learning what had unfolded at her workplace shortly after she left was 'incredibly triggering.'
'The timing couldn't have been more heartbreaking,' an insider told the Daily Mail. 'How much more can one person take?
'After everything Savannah has endured with her family, this happened just moments after she walked off the set. It hit everyone hard, but it hit differently for her.'
The alarming security breach, which saw the intruder confront host Craig Melvin after searching for Al Roker, has sent shockwaves through NBC, with staff now questioning how the man was able to get so far inside the building.
Guthrie, who is still grappling with the disappearance of her mother Nancy, was 'triggered' by the breach.
Hiding her face under a Celine bucket hat, Savannah Guthrie was snapped at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Friday - just one day after the security scare at NBC's studios
Savannah Guthrie and her husband, Michael Feldman, were spotted at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Friday preparing to head out of town
'This couldn't have come at a worse time for her emotionally after everything she's been through this year,' a second source said.
'Even though she had just left, just knowing it happened at her workplace is enough to shake anyone.'
Insiders were already concerned about the host following her brave return to the show after her 84-year-old mother Nancy was taken from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31.
The frightening incident comes just as Guthrie is preparing to step away from Today for several weeks to film NBC's upcoming Wordle game show, which is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
While the break had been planned long before Thursday's security scare, insiders say the incident has only reinforced how emotionally exhausting the past year has been for the veteran broadcaster.
Guthrie and her husband, Michael Feldman, were spotted at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Friday preparing to head out of town.
Dressed down in jeans and a black cardigan, the TV anchor appeared eager to avoid attention by concealing her famous face beneath a Celine bucket hat.
'Everyone is relieved she's taking the next few weeks off to film another project,' according to the source. 'She'll get some distance from all of this while everyone back here catches their breath.'
On Thursday, Guthrie announced she would be taking a temporary break from the Today show to film the first season of NBC's new Wordle game show
Still grappling with the disappearance of her mom Nancy Guthrie, who was kidnapped from her Arizona home on January 31, Guthrie was 'triggered' by the breach, sources said
Insiders were already concerned about Guthrie following her brave return to the show just weeks after her mother's disappearance sent shockwaves across the country
'Nobody would blame Savannah if she decided she needed more time,' the insider said.
'She's been carrying an enormous emotional burden, and this was another shock. The feeling inside the show is that everyone wants her to put herself first.'
In the wake of the scare, NBC executives have rushed through sweeping new security measures, with insiders saying visible changes were implemented almost immediately.
'Security has already been beefed up,' the Daily Mail was told. 'It's Fort Knox over at Today now. Nothing is being left to chance.'
The Daily Mail understands that guests appearing on the morning show are now being instructed to arrive significantly earlier due to the additional screening measures.
'Guests are being told to arrive at least an hour early because security screenings are taking longer,' the source said.
'They're also being asked to keep entourages to an absolute minimum. They're tightening every possible loophole.
'If your name is not on the security list you are not getting in. Even Christopher Nolan and Brad Paisley needed to be on the security list.'
As it turns out Nolan's appearance was pre-taped today outside of the studio. But he would have had to bring ID, according to the source.
Sources tell the Daily Mail Guthrie herself has also received additional protection following the frightening incident.
'Savannah's personal protection has also been increased,' one source said. 'That's standard after something like this, but it shows how seriously everyone is taking the incident.'
The alarming security breach saw the intruder confront host Craig Melvin after searching for Al Roker on Thursday morning
Andrew Truelove, 41, has since been identified as the suspect who stormed the studio. He is charged with hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, hate crime criminal trespass and harassment
Behind the scenes, employees remain rattled by how differently the situation could have unfolded.
The suspect, Andrew Truelove, 41, has been arrested over the ordeal that saw him allegedly lunge at Melvin on-set and shout out a racial slur.
He was charged with hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, and hate crime criminal trespass, the NYPD said in a statement Thursday.
'The staff is freaking out,' one said. 'The question everyone keeps asking is, "What if he'd had a gun?" That's what people can't stop thinking about.'
'Nobody wants to imagine how differently this could have ended,' another source said. 'The officer got there quickly, but everyone realizes how lucky they were.'
Insiders say the emotional fallout is expected to last far longer than any new security protocols.
'This has been a huge wake-up call,' one Today show source claimed. 'Nobody inside the building feels like this was just another routine security incident. It has everyone looking at safety in a completely different way.
'This wasn't just a security failure - it was a reminder that nowhere feels completely safe anymore,' a well placed insider added. 'Everyone is asking the same question: if this could happen here, what happens next?'
Guthrie's mom, Nancy, was last seen alive on January 31 after she was dropped home. Hours later, a masked individual wearing black latex gloves, a backpack and what seemed to be a holstered gun was captured outside Nancy's home disabling the doorbell camera
Guthrie, who is still grappling with the disappearance of her mom Nancy
For colleagues who have watched Guthrie endure an extraordinarily difficult year, Thursday's scare has only heightened concern for the beloved anchor.
'The whole newsroom is protective of Savannah right now,' one source told Daily Mail. 'People are worried less about the show and more about her. They just want her to be okay.'
The Guthrie family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the 84-year-old's recovery.
Guthrie's mom was last seen alive on January 31 at her home following a dinner with her daughter, Annie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, who dropped Guthrie, 81, back off at her home at around 9.50pm.
Hours later, at 1.47am, a masked individual wearing black latex gloves, a backpack and what seemed to be a holstered gun was captured outside Nancy's home disabling the doorbell camera.
Guthrie's pacemaker monitoring app disconnected from her home less than an hour later. Investigators now believe that could be the moment she was forcibly removed from the house.
There are still no suspects, according to local police and the FBI.
'The FBI and its task force partners have received several ransom notes over the course of this investigation,' the Phoenix FBI office posted to social media.
'Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy. Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate, and are still being investigated as such.'
The agency added that it is continuing to investigate Guthrie's disappearance 'as a kidnapping for ransom case.'
