CRUEL INTENTIONS
Nancy Guthrie ransom note ‘hoaxer’ Derrick Callella pictured as chilling confession & sick texts to family are revealed
THE man behind the fake ransom note texts to Nancy Guthrie’s desperate family has revealed his chilling motive.
Derrick Callella from California was arrested and charged on Thursday for sending fake text messages demanding Bitcoin payments and making phone calls to the distraught family of Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
Derrick Callella was arrested and charged for sending phony ransom text messages to the Guthrie familyCredit: X/MattFinnFNC
Savannah Guthrie’s mom Nancy was abducted from her bed in Tuscon, Arizona on SaturdayCredit: Facebook/Nancy Guthrie
It comes as the first deadline from what is believed to be a legitimate ransom note has passed as the Guthries issue a direct request to their mother’s kidnappers.
The 84-year-old was taken from her bed in Arizona on Saturday night and has not been located.
Callella, a Los Angeles man in his mid-forties, allegedly took advantage of the horrifying abduction and text Guthrie’s daughter Annie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni demanding payment in exchange for the return of the 84-year-old.
A complaint filed in an Arizona federal court revealed the sickening messages he allegedly sent to the family on February 4.
“Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction,” the message sent to Annie and Tommaso read.
Officials say that three minutes after these texts were sent, he then made a nine-second call to an unidentified member of the Guthrie family.
According to the complaint, Callella made contact soon after Nancy’s children pleaded with her potential captors in an emotional video, requesting proof of life.
Callella was tracked down after the family showed the text messages to cops who located him in California.
When confronted by officers, the twisted hoaxer gave a chilling reason behind the move.
He allegedly confessed that he had been watching the case develop on television and reached out to the family after getting their contact details from the internet.
What we know about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance…
Today host Savannah Guthrie’s mom is missing, and cops fear she was abducted from her home in Arizona
The Pima County Sheriff described Nancy’s home as a “crime scene” but didn’t elaborate on what they found inside
Blood drops were seen on the home’s front step, but detectives have not confirmed who the blood belongs to and said they are still analyzing DNA evidence from the home
A full timeline has emerged that gives fresh insight into Nancy’s final movements before her son-in-law was the last person to see her
In a grim press conference, local and federal authorities revealed they had no videos, no suspects, and no leads
Savannah and her siblings appealed directly to their mother’s kidnappers in an emotional video
Police are looking into reports of a suspected trespasser lurking in a neighbor’s yard just weeks before the abduction, and investigators have been spotted probing the woods behind Nancy’s house
Police are also probing people who know Nancy after questions arose over how she was reported missing
“He said…he was trying to see if the family would respond,” per the complaint.
Callella has been charged with two counts of transmitting communication demanding a ransom or reward for the release of a kidnapped person.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings shared an emotional plea with her mother’s possible kidnappersCredit: Instagram/savannahguthrie
Court docs added that there is no connection between his text messages and the alleged ransom note demanding millions of dollars worth of bitcoin in exchange for Nancy’s return.
On Thursday, the FBI gave an update on the case, and revealed that three ransom letters have been obtained by authorities, one of which was Callella’s and confirmed to be fake.
“To those impostors who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation: we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke warned.
Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating one ransom note that indicated two deadlines, one of which passed on Thursday night and the other will be on Monday.
At 5pm, when the first deadline passed, Camron Guthrie, Nancy’s son, released a video statement on Savannah’s Instagram, where he pleaded with the alleged kidnappers to reach out to the family and provide proof that they have their mother.
“This is Camron Guthrie, I am speaking for the Guthrie family. Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” the distraught son said.
“We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom.
“We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact.”
He said the alleged kidnappers did not provide any contact information for how Nancy’s family could get in contact with them.
Meanwhile, fears for Nancy are high as Savannah tearfully spoke of her elderly mother’s poor health in an emotional plea for her safe and swift return.
“Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine; she needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer,” Savannah said.
It was previously reported that Nancy suffers from a series of age-related health problems, including high blood pressure, cardiac issues requiring a pacemaker, and limited mobility.
Authorities stressed that her condition could be fatal if she doesn’t take her daily medication.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nano told NBC earlier this week that he believes Nancy is alive despite escalating fears about her poor condition.
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home on February 1, 2026.
Timeline:
January 31, 5:32 pm: Nancy Guthrie jumps in an Uber and travels to a relative’s house for dinner.
January 31, 9:48 pm: Family members drop off Nancy, 84, at her home in Tucson, Arizona, after having dinner with her.
January 31, 9:50 pm: Nancy’s garage door closes.
February 1, 1:47 am: Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnects.
February 1, 2:12 am: Software detects person on camera (No video available, no subscription).
February 1, 2:28 am: Nancy’s pacemaker app shows disconnect from her phone.
February 1, 11:00 am: A parishioner at Nancy’s church calls the mom’s children and says she failed to show up for service.
February 1, 11:56 am: The family goes to Nancy’s home to check on her.
February 1, 12:03 pm: A 911 to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is placed by the family.
February 1, 12:15 pm: Pima County deputies arrive at Nancy’s residence.
February 1, 8:55 pm: The Pima County Sheriff’s Office gives their first press conference, and reveals some clues found at Nancy’s home caused “grave concern.” They say helicopters, drones, and infrared cameras are all being utilized in the search.
February 2, 9:17 am: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says search crews have been pulled back, as Nancy’s home is considered a crime scene.
February 2, morning: Savannah releases a statement that’s read by her co-hosts on Today, and thanks supporters for their prayers.
February 2, evening: Nanos tells the media they fear Nancy has been abducted.
February 3: Nanos admits they have no suspects, no leads, and no videos that could lead to Nancy’s recovery. He and the FBI beg for more tips and accounts from residents.
February 3: A trail of blood is pictured outside Nancy’s home, where there were reportedly signs of forced entry.
