Hawthorne, California — A man pleaded guilty on July 2 to sending fake ransom messages regarding the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, an anchor for NBC’s “Today” show. Federal agents have since indicated that other ransom demands related to her five-month-old disappearance could still warrant investigation.
Derrick Anthony Callella, 42, contacted Nancy’s family on February 4 using an internet-based calling application to disguise his identity. He sent distressing messages to Annie Guthrie and her husband, Tommaso Cioni, falsely claiming that he was holding Nancy captive and demanding a bitcoin payment. In light of his actions, a federal judge mandated that Callella undergo inpatient substance abuse treatment prior to his sentencing.
The FBI arrested Callella in February 2026 after linking him to these fraudulent communications. As part of its ongoing investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s case, the bureau clarified the status of ransom notes received throughout the inquiry. On July 1, 2026, the FBI’s Phoenix office stated that while some notes were confirmed to be illegitimate extortion attempts, others were still under investigation for potential authenticity.
This announcement came after reports indicated that all ransom-related correspondence had been deemed fraudulent, which the FBI clarified was not entirely accurate. The exact number of ransom notes has not been publicly disclosed, but investigators are sifting through various messages to determine their legitimacy, a distinction that could guide future steps in the investigation.
Local officials have stated their commitment to pursuing all leads in the case while redirecting inquiries about ransom communications to federal agents. Multiple ransom notes made headlines following Nancy’s disappearance, with one reportedly demanding millions in cryptocurrency and another ominously declaring her death. Previous efforts by federal authorities to engage with the ransom demands included transferring a small amount of cryptocurrency to a specified address; however, this sum has remained untouched.
The investigation has revealed additional layers of complexity. Retired FBI agent Steve Moore mentioned there appears to be some internal discord regarding the case’s findings, noting significant disagreement between the Phoenix office and FBI headquarters over evidence validity. Moreover, blood was discovered on the porch of Nancy’s home, raising further concerns.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 when she was returned to her Tucson, Arizona, home by her son-in-law. She was reported missing the following day after failing to attend an online church service, leaving behind essential belongings such as her phone and medication. Just days later, the FBI released footage showing a masked individual on her property the night she vanished.
Search efforts involving volunteers and professional teams have yielded no substantial leads. Authorities have offered a reward of $1.2 million for information leading to Nancy’s whereabouts. The investigation remains active with no arrests made following her disappearance.
Despite the uncertainty, the FBI reaffirmed that the case continues to be treated as a kidnapping for ransom, which influences resource allocations and tip evaluations. Savannah Guthrie, who has anchored “Today” throughout this ordeal, recently covered another missing persons case, drawing public criticism for not directly addressing her mother’s situation.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts to reach out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI.