NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, February 2, 2026

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother is a "crime," sheriff says; Minneapolis field officers set to receive body cameras; Dangerous winter storm slams South; and more on tonight’s broadcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight, the painful headline for our NBC family. The urgent search underway for today's show anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother, police investigating her disappearance as a crime, now pleading for the public's health. 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie reported missing by her family. Police called when a friend noticed she didn't show up to church. Police saying the scene is suspicious in nature. What our beloved colleague Savannah is saying about the search for her mom and what the sheriff just told me about why he's,

he believes she was taken against her will. Also tonight, how you can help. The major change for federal officers on the ground in Minneapolis now forced to wear body cameras, what President Trump just said about the move. Also breaking, the verdict just reached in the Opaire Affair murder trial, will the husband accuse of plotting to kill his wife get prison time? Historic southern snow, the winter storm breaking records, homes collapsing and swept out to see snowfall as far south as Florida. A driver narrowly missing this state trooper, how much longer will this extreme cold last for millions?

The talks just announced between the U.S. and Iran, as Iran's supreme leader threatens a regional war if the U.S. takes military action, are Richard Engel on the ground inside of Iran. New revelations from the Epstein files, photos of former Prince Andrew kneeling over a woman, plus what Epstein said in a rare, never before seen interview. The fiery gas explosion engulfing a medical facility. Firefighters

injured trying to get people out what we're learning. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We begin tonight with a story that hits too close to home for our newsroom. The mother of our colleague, Savannah Guthrie, has gone missing from her Arizona home. And now the sheriff there tells me she was taken against her will from her bed in the middle of the night. Our thoughts and prayers are with Savannah and her family right now. Police saying what they need is the public's help. Anything from turning over home security camp footage to reporting anything that looks suspicious, they saw on Nancy Guthrie's Tucson neighborhood.

The 84-year-old was last seen on Saturday. And when investigators responded to her home, they said they found a scene that was suspicious in nature. All of us here at NBC News are hoping for the safe return of her mother. If you watch the Today Show, you've surely met Nancy. and know how beloved she is by both Savannah and the extended NBC News family. Police, though, saying this could now be a race against time for Guthrie who needs her daily medication. We'll talk to the Arizona sheriff leading the investigation in a moment, but we start things

off tonight with Liz Kreutz on the ground in Tucson. Tonight, the quiet Tucson foothills are the center of a massive multi-agency search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. We believe now, after we process that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene that we do in fact have a crime. Nancy was last seen Saturday night when family members dropped her off at home around 9.45 p.m. But the next morning, police say a call from a friend at Nancy's church. She never showed up for Sunday service. Her children rushed to the house, spending nearly an hour searching the home and property. Unable to find her, they called 911 around noon.

We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us. Officials saying the evidence inside the home was suspicious in nature, leading them to bring in homicide detectives. This is not a dementia related. She is as sharp as a tech. The family wants everybody to know, this is somebody who just wandered off. The sheriff says they're searching with helicopters, drones, infrared systems, teams on the ground, and canine units. But tonight, it's a race against time. Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and relies on daily medication that authorities say if she doesn't have in 24 hours can be fatal. Investigators say they have Nancy's cell phone, but are pleading for tips, asking neighbors to check their security cameras.

I'm going to go home and check my ring camera, see if anything odd was going on. They asked us to review our ring, and unfortunately, there wasn't anything. The Today Show anchor thanking everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. That's so cute. Savannah's mother has been a frequent guest on the Today Show. My mom and I, I feel like we really click as friends, too. It's just amazing what she's brought to my life.

The too often reminisce about their tight bond. One of my favorite memories is we were driving home. There was a rainbow. My mom said, let's find the end of the rainbow. And I would say, turn right, turn right. We never found the end of the rainbow. That's one of my favorite memories, too. They talk about the tough times, too, like when Savannah's dad died when she was just 16.

We lost my dad suddenly and shocking. and my mom was so strong and set aside her own grief in many ways just to be there and make sure that we could all move forward together. For years, they stayed together at home where Savannah lived with her mother during college. We didn't have money to afford the dorm and that was thing one. But the other was that my sister and I really felt like we should stick with my mom and not leave her alone. When it came to getting a job, though, her mother pushed her to pursue her dreams. She said, if you can't leave me, then I didn't do my job, right, Savannah. She just gave me permission to go, you know.

But the greatest gift Nancy gave to her faith and belief in God. It changed my whole life. Today, she and her family are leaning on that faith, praying for Nancy's safe return. Such a special bond. Liz, I know this is a very hard one to report out, but I understand you just got an update from law enforcement. Yeah, Tom, I did. I just talked to the sheriff who told us they do believe that Nancy Guthrie was harmed when she was taken from her home. He would not tell us the extent of those injuries.

I was just in the neighborhood where this happened, and we saw members of the community driving around with a photo of Nancy desperately trying to find anyone who may have seen her. Tom. There's still hope out there. All right, Liz, we thank you for that. We turned out a sheriff, Chris Nanos, with the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff, we thank you for taking the time to speak with us as your team works to find Mrs. Guthrie. We're all here to support the investigation as well as her colleague, Savannah, and her family.

And we're all hoping for a happy ending here. We know Nancy has limited mobility. Is it physically possible for her to have left the home on her own? Or are you operating entirely on the premise that she was moved by someone else or abducted? You know, from what the families told us and everything we've learned, she could not walk out of that home 50 yards. No, we believe she was taken out of the home against her will. and that's how this investigation is moving.

What would you say to someone who, if they're holding Nancy Guthrie right now, what's your message to them? It's not just my message. It's the community's message. It is the family's message. Just call us. Let her go. Just call us.

Family would tell you, there's no questions asked here. Look, if she's alive right now, her meds are vital. I can't stress that enough. You know, it's been better than 24 hours, and the family tells us, if she doesn't have those meds, it can become fatal. Savannah is family to us. She's a big part of this community. Her family is devastated, the entire family.

And, you know, this just doesn't happen into. So we don't, you don't see someone at 84 years of age, go home, go to bed, and in the middle of the night just disappear from her own home, from our own bed. that's that's not that's not that's not who we are is this an unusual case for your community yeah absolutely you know we get people who walk away from their homes we get missing people in the mountains hiking and in the desert trails but rear i can't think of the last time we're in the middle of the night in someone's bed an 84 year old woman disappeared on us that's that's that's that's a challenge for us And it's something we just want her back.

Yeah, we all do. We all do, Sheriff. I know you've been in contact with Savannah, who we know is in Tucson. What is your message to her and the Guthrie family and all the viewers who care so much about Savannah? We're not going to give up. We'll get this. I'm blessed.

I have a team that is, look, they'll solve this. I know they will. Sheriff, we thank you for your time. I know you're busy, and I'm going to be praying that you find Nancy. Thank you. I appreciate it. If you have any information about the case for investigators, please call the Pima County Sheriff's Office. It's the number you see right here on the screen or go to 8.8crime.org. All right, to the other breaking news tonight, late today, the Department of Homeland Security with a major change after those deadly clashes in Minneapolis. announcing every officer there will receive body cameras.

Maggie Vespa is there for us tonight. Maggie, why now? Well, Tom, the administration isn't saying, but it is worth noting this is one of the first major policy shifts since borders are Tom Homan arrived in Minneapolis and said things here haven't gone, quote, perfectly. Now, today, to your point, DHS Secretary Kristy Nome posting on X that effective immediately, every officer in the field here in Minneapolis will have body cameras with the goal of expanding the program nationwide as funding becomes available. President Trump saying cameras generally tend to be

good for law enforcement because, quote, people can't lie about what's happening. This amid raging protests and ongoing ice raids here in Minneapolis and, of course, in the wake of two fatal shootings at the hands of federal law enforcement. Minnesota officials also tried to block ice operations here in the city, but over the weekend, a federal judge denying that request. Tom. All right, Maggie Vespa, with those break. developing developments. Maggie, thank you. Also just into our newsroom tonight, there is a verdict in the murder trial of the man accused of an elaborate plot to kill his wife following an affair with the family's opair. Tonight, a jury finding him guilty on all counts. Aaron McLaughlin with the moment the

verdict was read out loud. Tonight, Brendan Banfield, impassive as the verdict was read. Find the defendant guilty of aggravated murder. Guilty on all counts for the stabbing death of his wife, Christine and shooting death of Joseph Ryan, who prosecutors say Banfield lured to the couple's home via fetish website to frame him for his wife's murder. The double homicide while the Banfield's four-year-old daughter was downstairs. It's monsters. I mean, that's really what it is. It's monsters. During the extraordinary trial, Banfield testified in his own defense. That a plan was made to get rid of my wife. That is absolutely crazy. This body camera footage. played for the jury showed Banfield being told Christine was dead.

Banfield's now former lover, the family's Brazilian O'Pair, Juliana Perez Maglis, took the stand against him as part of a plea deal, testifying they'd been having an affair and had logged on to the fetish website posing as Christine and invited Ryan over for a rape fantasy. Once Ryan had entered the couple's bedroom, Perez Magliz admitted to shooting Ryan herself and described the moment Banfield allegedly killed his wife. Where in her body was he stabbing her? Her neck.

But Banfield claims it was Ryan who attacked Christine. He was attacking Christine. He was stabbing her. Banfield's sentencing is set for the beginning of May. Aaron McLaughlin, NBC News. Now to that major winter storm that's dumped heavy snow and brought record low temperatures to the south, homes in North Carolina collapsing into the ocean.

you'll see it. Freeze warning still in effect in Georgia and Florida as cities in the northeast dig out. Aaron Gilchrest tonight from North Carolina. Watch as a winter storm wreaks havoc along North Carolina's coast, waves and strong winds snatching this home and three others into the ocean along the outer banks. We just lost the third house. Others left almost fully submerged. This bird's eye view showing snow blanketing the state's beaches, blizzard conditions fueled by historic snowfall all across the state. Charlotte racking up 11 inches its biggest snow total in 20 years.

Tonight, state officials say thousands of plows are making slow progress on day three of trying to clear roads. If you've never driven in snow and you don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle, then you should most likely stay off the roads. It's not just the Carolinas, the extreme cold and powerful wind taking down a massive tree in Georgia. surprise snow flurries falling in Tampa. We got frozen iguaners. And icy temps around Miami again leaving piles of iguanas temporarily frozen. A frigid Nashville still dealing with mass power outages from the storm two weekends ago.

It could take another full week to get the lights and heat back on. Watch it, watch it, watch it. In Nebraska, new dash cam video showing the frightening moments when a car narrowly misses two state troopers last week. And in New York and Washington, snow still piled up along. city streets. Back in North Carolina, residents are just trying to thaw out. It was definitely a larger storm than I think people predicted. Aaron joins me tonight from Jacksonville, North Carolina, where conditions are improving, but people are still being told to stay home? Yeah, Tom, and let me show you why. You look at all the slush. Everything that has melted today and turned into water is refreezing as we speak as

temperatures drop through the 20s now, and it could be several more days before roads across North Carolina. are scraped totally clean and safe. Tom? It's going to take a while. All right, Aaron, we thank you for that. A major diplomatic breakthrough is taking shape in the Middle East tonight. Sources tell us the U.S. and Iran are planning a face-to-face summit in Istanbul as soon as Friday. Our Richard Engel reports from inside Iran tonight.

As American warships arrive in the region, the White House and Iran have agreed to meet for rare face-to-face talks to avoid a war, according to diplomats. Iran appears to be looking for a way to de-escalate as it faces the threat of American and Israeli military action and a huge wave of domestic unrest. This is an extraordinarily tense time in Iran right now. After the mass demonstrations, the government's cracked down, and nearly total blackout of the Internet, the government is now trying to show strength that it is fully in control once again of the streets. And in propaganda posters that have gone up all across town, The government is also sending a clear message that if there is another war, Israel and the United States will be receiving coffins.

But two Iranian officials told NBC News today they hope it won't come to that, that Iran wants a deal, even expressing optimism about reaching one if the goal is limited to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Diplomatic sources tell NBC news that Iran-U.S. talks with Trump's envoy Steve Whitkoff are due to take place this Friday. in Istanbul. Tom. Richard Engel from Iran tonight, Richard, thank you. When we return in 60 seconds,

breaking news from the Clintons, why they now say they will testify on Capitol Hill in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. That's next. We're back now with breaking news related to the ongoing investigation to Jeffrey Epstein.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have just announced they will testify before Congress. It comes as our teams find new revelations inside the latest release of the Epstein documents. Here's Hallie Jackson.

Fallout and frustration tonight after the release of millions of pages of Epstein documents, showing the late convicted sex offenders ties to the rich and powerful, like former Prince Andrew, seen in these photos kneeling over an unidentified woman. It's not clear why. Andrew was stripped of his royal titles last year, but has long vigorously denied allegations of abuse related to Epstein. And at the Capitol, new word, the Clintons will provide the testimony the House Oversight Committee has been seeking, according to the former president's spokesperson, with that news coming ahead of a planned vote this week to hold the former first couple in contempt. The Clintons have not been accused by officials of wrongdoing. Also among the files, this video of Epstein just months before his 2019 arrest and suicide,

interviewed by MAGA strategist Steve Bannon. Is your money dirty money? No, it's not. So in fact, why is it not dirty money? Because I earned it. Bannon has not been accused of wrongdoing and has not responded to NBC's request for comment. The Justice Department today says it worked through the weekend to take down several thousand files that inadvertently identified victims, with some survivors furious. I found my own date of birth, my own phone number, but it was also just really disturbed to find, to see evidence of names of people that I knew did not want to be public.

Developments in the Epstein case, making headlines worldwide, even mentioned at the Ramies last night by host Trevor Noah referencing President Trump. The president, now angrily threatening to sue the comedian. He made a statement about me and Jeffrey Epstein. I have nothing to do with that. I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. He's not been accused by officials of wrongdoing related to Epstein. Hallie joins us live.

Hallie, I know you're tracking a headline from the White House tonight. President Trump talking about his plans to close the Kennedy Center to renovate it. That's right, Tom. And the president says tonight he expects it'll be a $200 million project with construction starting in July and lasting about two years. That planned closures coming after a slew of artists canceled performances once the president purged the Kennedy Center's board, naming himself chairman and putting his own name on the building. Tom. Hallie joins us live. Halie, I know you're tracking a headline from the White House tonight.

President Trump talking about his plans to close the Kennedy Center to renovate it. That's right, Tom. And the president says tonight he expects it'll be a $200 million project with construction starting in July and lasting about two years. That plan, closures coming after a slew of artists canceled performances once the president purged the Kennedy Center's board, naming himself chairman and putting his own name on the building. Tom? Hallie, thank you. We're back at a moment with the firefighters hospitalized after trying to save people from a massive gas explosion. Welcome back. This is just in tonight. Police say three firefighters were hospitalized while trying to rescue people from this massive gas explosion.

The fire at a medical center in Nashon, New Hampshire, could be seen for miles. Dozens of people were inside of the time, but officials don't know yet how this one started. In the Middle East today, a key border crossing connecting the Gaza Strip and Egypt partially reopened for the first time since May of 2024. It is a major step in the peace process, allowing people in need of medical aid to leave Gaza and letting others return. All right, when we come back right after this break, how you can help as authority search for Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy. That's next. Welcome back. On Nightly News, we always try to help you our viewers by telling your stories and shining a light when we hear about a problem in your community. Tonight, we're asking for your help. Our dear friend, Savannah Guthrie, who for years has given her heart and soul to the viewers of the Today Show, is looking for her mom, Nancy Guthrie.

Police, unfortunately, tell us this is not a case of someone who has wandered off. They have seen what they believe is evidence of a crime in her home. That's all we have to go on. If you know Savannah, then you know her mom because she raised her through some very tough times. Savannah has shared that it was her mother who taught her the power of prayer, the types of prayers that make you get on your knees and pray for God's protection. Savannah and her family need your prayers tonight. They also need your help. So tonight we're asking, if you've seen Nancy, if you know what happened to her, please contact police in Tucson. their number is 520351, 4900.

Savannah, we know how strong you are, we are praying, and we won't stop until you find her. That's nightly news for this Monday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching. Tonight and always, we're here for you. Good night.