Ex-LA County worker arrested for fake ransom in Nancy Guthrie case
Arrest brings no closer answers in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother
A man has been arrested for faking a ransom demand in the ongoing case of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie—but he’s not believed to be involved in her actual disappearance.
The family of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has been desperately searching for answers since Nancy vanished from her Tucson-area home on February 1. Now, federal agents have arrested a man who pretended to have information—only to exploit the family’s pain.
Derrick Callella, a former Los Angeles County employee, was arrested on February 5 in Hawthorne, California, after allegedly sending a fake ransom message to Nancy’s daughter and son-in-law. Officials say he has no connection to the real kidnappers but was trying to deceive the family into paying him money.
Authorities called it a “hoax ransom demand,” not tied to the earlier note received by a local Tucson news station.
Callella, who once worked for LA County, is no stranger to criminal allegations. In 2025, he was named among 13 employees accused of stealing nearly $430,000 in pandemic-era unemployment benefits. He was charged with both felony and misdemeanor theft.
Now, he faces two new federal charges: sending a ransom demand involving a kidnapping and making a threatening phone call without identifying himself.
The FBI says Callella used a VOIP (internet phone) app to send a message to Nancy Guthrie’s family. The message read: “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.” A phone call followed just minutes later—but lasted only nine seconds.
FBI warning
Heith Janke, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Phoenix office, condemned the attempt to take advantage of a heartbreaking situation.
“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,” Janke said at a Feb. 5 press briefing.
The arrest was announced during that same press conference. Still, investigators made it clear that Callella is not suspected of having anything to do with Nancy Guthrie’s actual disappearance.
Real ransom note still under investigation
Nancy Guthrie’s case remains a mystery. While Callella’s messages were fake, authorities are still investigating a separate ransom demand sent anonymously to KOLD News 13 in Tucson on February 2. That message included a Bitcoin wallet and is being taken seriously.
NEW: Photo of L.A. man arrested for sending texts to Guthrie family asking for bitcoin, according to Feds. Derrick Callella. pic.twitter.com/rL8mq0kNyD
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) February 6, 2026
FBI Agent Jon Edwards confirmed: “We’re taking the ransom note serious, and we are following that part of the investigation.”
As the investigation continues, Nancy’s family has been publicly pleading for answers. In two emotional videos posted to social media on February 4 and 5, Savannah Guthrie and her sister asked for real proof that their mother is alive.
“We too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” Savannah said. “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 FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy’s recovery or the arrest of anyone responsible.
While one scammer has been caught, the real story behind Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remains unsolved. Authorities ask anyone with information to come forward—no tip is too small.
If you know anything, call the FBI at 800-225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov.
