The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has taken yet another dramatic turn on its 13th day as federal authorities arrested and charged a man in connection with an imposter ransom demand that exploited the family’s desperation. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Derrick Callella from California, was taken into custody earlier this month after allegedly sending fake ransom communications to the Guthrie family and media outlets, demanding payment in cryptocurrency while posing as the abductor.
Authorities confirmed on February 13, 2026, that Callella appeared in federal court in Tucson for arraignment following his initial arrest on February 5, intensifying scrutiny on opportunistic hoaxers who have complicated an already heartbreaking investigation.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson on the night of January 31 into the early hours of February 1, 2026. Family members had returned her home after a dinner gathering, and she was last known to be safe that evening. When friends expected her for a virtual church service the next morning and she failed to appear, loved ones rushed to check on her. They discovered the residence eerily quiet, with signs of disturbance including blood confirmed as hers on the porch through DNA analysis.
No forced entry was immediately apparent, but investigators quickly ruled the disappearance an abduction, believing the elderly woman—described as frail with limited mobility—was taken against her will, possibly while sleeping or unaware.
From the outset, the case drew national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence. The family, including Savannah and siblings Annie and Camron, launched emotional public appeals. Savannah shared tearful videos pleading for her mother’s safe return, emphasizing Nancy’s vulnerability and the family’s readiness to comply with any legitimate demands. “We believe our mom is still out there,” Savannah said in one widely circulated message. “We are desperate and we need your help.” The Guthries repeatedly expressed willingness to pay ransom if it meant bringing Nancy home, a stance that unfortunately opened the door to exploitation.
Ransom communications surfaced early in the investigation. Multiple notes and messages—some emailed to media outlets like KOLD-TV in Tucson and others sent directly to the family—demanded large sums in Bitcoin, with details that initially seemed credible. One note included specifics that appeared to come from someone with knowledge of the abduction, prompting cautious optimism among investigators and the public. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos noted during early press conferences that certain elements suggested the demands might not be a complete fabrication. However, as deadlines passed without proof of life or further contact from the purported kidnappers, doubts grew.
The breakthrough came when authorities identified inconsistencies in one set of communications. On February 5, the FBI announced an arrest related to an “imposter ransom demand.” Court documents identified the suspect as Derrick Callella, 42, of California. He faced federal charges including transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device to harass or threaten. Prosecutors alleged Callella posed as the abductor, sending texts and notes to the Guthrie family while concealing his identity. The imposter’s actions were described as callous, preying on a family’s anguish during one of the most vulnerable moments imaginable.
Callella’s initial appearance in court drew limited public details, but sources indicated he was released from custody pending further proceedings after his February arraignment was noted in updates on February 13. The arrest highlighted a disturbing side effect of high-profile cases: the emergence of opportunists seeking to profit from tragedy. FBI officials stressed that while the imposter demand was unrelated to the actual abduction, it diverted resources and added emotional strain to the Guthrie family. “We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand,” FBI Agent Heith Janke said in an earlier statement.
“We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”
Despite this development, the core mystery remains unsolved: Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts and the identity of her abductor. On February 12 and 13, the FBI released critical new details based on forensic analysis of doorbell camera footage from Nancy’s home. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the predawn video, he wears a mask, gloves, and carries a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack—a brand sold exclusively at Walmart.
The individual is seen approaching the porch, tampering with the camera by covering it with vegetation, and displaying methodical behavior that suggests planning. Some early reports mentioned what appeared to be a holstered weapon, heightening concerns about the level of threat.
The FBI doubled its reward to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s location or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. More than 13,000 tips have flooded in, with authorities urging residents within a two-mile radius to submit any relevant surveillance footage from the weeks prior to January 31. Physical evidence continues to accumulate: a pair of black gloves found near the home has been sent for DNA and forensic testing, though connections remain unconfirmed. Search efforts persist across the desert terrain surrounding Tucson, involving K-9 units, aerial support, and ground teams.
Speculation has swirled about the nature of the crime. Retired FBI agents and profilers have suggested the abduction bears hallmarks of an “inside job” or at least insider knowledge. The suspect’s apparent familiarity with the property layout, the timing of the approach, and the targeted disabling of the camera point to someone who may have studied the home beforehand. Theories range from a financially motivated kidnapping to something more personal, though no motive has been publicly confirmed. Ex-FBI profiler Jennifer Coffindaffer noted the unlikelihood of a solo operation given the logistics of moving an elderly person without immediate detection.
The Guthrie family has remained steadfast in their public messages of hope. Savannah continued posting tributes on social media, including family videos and photos of Nancy in happier times—laughing with grandchildren, celebrating holidays, embodying the warmth of a devoted matriarch. “Our lovely mom,” one caption read. “We will never give up.” These posts serve as both emotional outlets and direct appeals to whoever holds Nancy, pleading for her release and offering assurance that no price is too high for her safety.
As February 13, 2026, marks the 13th day without Nancy, the case stands at a crossroads. The arrest of Callella removes one layer of deception but does little to resolve the central agony: an 84-year-old grandmother missing, believed taken by force, with her frail health making every passing hour more critical. The released suspect description and backpack detail offer the public concrete ways to assist—anyone recognizing the individual or the distinctive Walmart backpack is urged to contact the FBI tip line.
The nation watches a family endure unimaginable pain under relentless scrutiny. What began as a quiet disappearance from a suburban home has become a national plea for justice and reunion. Investigators emphasize that time remains of the essence. For the Guthries, the wait continues amid prayers, tips, and the faint hope that the next breakthrough will bring Nancy home alive. The imposter’s arrest serves as a stark reminder of human cruelty in crisis, but it also underscores the resolve of law enforcement and the public to see this through. Until Nancy is found, the search—and the anguish—endures. (Word count: 1518)
