Federal authorities announced an arrest in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, but investigators made clear that the man taken into custody is not believed to be one of the people who carried out the kidnapping. Instead, officials say the suspect is accused of sending a false ransom message to the family while the search for Guthrie continues.
The case has drawn national attention because Guthrie is the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie and because her sudden disappearance from her Tucson-area home has been treated as a criminal matter from the outset. The arrest, while significant, has underscored how the investigation remains focused on locating Guthrie and identifying anyone directly responsible for her abduction.
The man arrested is Derrick Callella, a resident of Southern California. He was taken into custody on Feb. 5 in Hawthorne, a city located just south of Los Angeles International Airport. Federal prosecutors said Callella is facing two charges tied to communications sent to the family: one count alleging he sent a message demanding ransom for the release of a kidnapped person, and another count alleging he placed a phone call without identifying himself “with the intent to abuse, threaten or harass.”
Investigators say Callella sent a text message to Guthrie’s daughter, Annie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. The message read: “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.” The wording and timing of the message immediately raised red flags for authorities, who moved quickly to trace its origin.
An attorney for Callella was not immediately available to comment following the arrest. Prosecutors emphasized that Callella is not suspected of being involved in the actual kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie and that the charges relate only to the alleged false ransom communication and the phone call that followed.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on Sunday, Feb. 1, after she disappeared from her home in the Tucson area. From the beginning, authorities have treated the case as a crime rather than a simple missing-persons report. Search efforts and investigative work have continued as her family has appealed publicly for information and for proof that she is still alive.
Despite the arrest, no one has been charged in connection with the suspected abduction itself. Multiple messages claiming to be ransom demands have circulated, including communications sent to media outlets. Investigators have worked to separate credible leads from hoaxes, a process that has become increasingly urgent as time has passed without any confirmed sign of Guthrie’s whereabouts.
The criminal complaint details the timeline of the alleged false message. FBI Special Agent Kerry Witherspoon wrote that the texts were sent on Feb. 4, shortly after Guthrie’s children released a public video asking for her safe return. Investigators say Callella later acknowledged sending the messages through a voice-over-Internet-Protocol application. The complaint states that “[Callella] was trying to see if the family would respond.”
Digital records reviewed by investigators show that roughly three minutes after the text messages were sent, a call was placed to a family member. That call “lasted 9 seconds.” Authorities say the call and the texts form the basis of the federal charges now facing Callella.
Officials also clarified that the two text messages attributed to Callella are not connected to a separate ransom demand that was sent on February 2, 2026. That earlier message was delivered to a Tucson television station through its online tip system and included a Bitcoin wallet address for payment. Investigators have not publicly confirmed whether that earlier note is authentic, but they have said it remains a serious part of the ongoing inquiry.
During a Feb. 5 briefing, Jon Edwards, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tucson field office, addressed that message directly. “We’re taking the ransom note serious, and we are following that part of the investigation,” he said. The statement reflected the cautious approach authorities are taking as they work to determine which communications, if any, came from the person or people responsible for Guthrie’s disappearance.
The arrest of Callella has also brought renewed attention to his past. In October 2025, he was identified by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office as one of 13 county employees accused of stealing unemployment benefits. In that case, prosecutors alleged that the group took a combined total of $430,000. Callella was charged with one felony count of grand theft and one misdemeanor count related to the alleged theft of $437,383 in state unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023.
While that earlier case is separate from the Guthrie investigation, it has added to the scrutiny surrounding Callella and his actions. Federal authorities have stressed that his current charges stem solely from the alleged fake ransom communication and the phone call made to the family.
As the investigation continues, the Guthrie family has remained in the public eye, sharing emotional appeals in the hope of prompting whoever is responsible to come forward. Two videos were posted on social media on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, directed at the person or people who have Nancy Guthrie. In both messages, the family asked for contact and for proof that she is still alive.
In one of those messages, Savannah Guthrie addressed the reports circulating about a ransom letter. “We too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” she said. “As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.” The statement captured the family’s mix of urgency and caution as they navigate a situation filled with uncertainty and fear.
Federal officials have also issued warnings to anyone attempting to exploit the case. Heith Janke, the FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge, delivered a pointed message aimed at those who might see the situation as an opportunity for profit or attention. “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,” he said.
Janke first announced Callella’s arrest during a Feb. 5 press conference, describing it as related to an “impostor ransom demand.” He emphasized that the arrest does not close the case and does not change the focus on finding Nancy Guthrie and identifying anyone who played a role in her disappearance.
The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Guthrie’s recovery or to the arrest of anyone responsible for her kidnapping. Officials have encouraged anyone with information to come forward, noting that even details that may seem small could prove critical to moving the investigation forward.
The case has highlighted how quickly high-profile disappearances can attract both legitimate tips and malicious hoaxes. Investigators often have to devote significant time and resources to sorting through messages, calls, and online submissions, determining which are credible and which are attempts to mislead or exploit. In this instance, authorities say the alleged actions of Callella fall into the latter category, creating additional strain for a family already under enormous emotional pressure.
At the same time, officials have reiterated that every potential lead is being examined carefully. The separate ransom message sent in early February remains under active review, and agents continue to pursue all avenues that could lead to Guthrie’s safe return.
For the Guthrie family, the days since Feb. 1 have been marked by public appeals and private uncertainty. The arrest of a man accused of sending a fake ransom message has brought a measure of accountability for one aspect of the situation, but it has not answered the central question of where Nancy Guthrie is or who took her.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the case have said they will continue to provide updates as appropriate, balancing the need for transparency with the requirements of an active investigation. They have also urged the public to rely on verified information and to avoid spreading rumors that could complicate the search.
The charges against Callella will now move through the federal court system, where prosecutors will have to prove that he knowingly sent the message and made the call with the intent described in the statutes. Meanwhile, the broader investigation into the kidnapping remains ongoing, with resources focused on tracking down those directly responsible.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact the FBI tips hotline at 800-225-5324, reach out to their local FBI office, contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip through the bureau’s online system. Authorities have stressed that time is a critical factor and that prompt reporting of any relevant detail could make a difference.
As the search continues, the arrest serves as a reminder that attempts to interfere with or exploit an active investigation carry serious consequences. More importantly, it underscores that the central mission remains unchanged: finding Nancy Guthrie and bringing her home.