Ransom Demand For Savannah Guthrie's Mother Came From South Bay Man: FBI

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Hawthorne man was arrested Thursday after sending a phony ransom demand to relatives of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of a "Today" show host who remains missing after her apparent kidnapping.

Guthrie, 84, was last seen by her family at her Tucson home on Saturday. She was reported missing the next day, launching a search by law enforcement and public plea for her safe return led by her famous daughter Savannah Guthrie.

At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they handed over to investigators. One such note was sent to the Tucson CBS affiliate; it demanded a ransom in the form of cryptocurrency and listed a Bitcoin address that would allow the holder of that address to receive the funds, according to authorities.

Members of the Guthrie family on Wednesday published a video asking Guthrie's kidnappers to contact them about their mother.

• Read more: Search Intensifies For Savannah Guthrie’s Mother As Host Pleads For Her Return

On Thursday, a Hawthorne man who told investigators he had been following the case on TV was arrested after sending a phony ransom note to members of the Guthrie family, according to the FBI. It appears authorities do not believe he is connected to Guthrie's disappearance.

Federal prosecutors claim Derrick Callella found contact information for Guthrie's family members online shortly after the video was posted. He sent identical text messages to Guthrie's daughter and son-in-law, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Arizona.

"Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction," the text reads.

Federal authorities seem to contend that Callella had nothing to do with Guthrie's disappearance or the actual Bitcoin ransom demands sent to media outlets.

In sending the texts, Callella "was trying to see if the family would respond," an FBI official wrote in the criminal complaint.

"The two text messages [sent by Callella] have not been linked to the February 2, 2026 ransom demand" sent to the CBS affiliate, according to the criminal complaint.

“To those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation – we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said in a news release.

Callella has been charged with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person.

Callella used an internet-based phone number to send the texts. Authorities traced that number to an IP address and determined that IP address was associated with Callella's home, according to the criminal complaint.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos on Thursday said authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the case.

“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference. The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no evidence she's OK.

The FBI announced Thursday it was offering up to $50,000 for information related to Guthrie's disappearance. President Donald Trump wrote on social media earlier this week that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.