A California man admitted to sending fake ransom notes related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, federal prosecutors announced.
Derrick Callella of Hawthorne pleaded guilty on July 2 to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. The 42-year-old admitted to calling and texting Guthrie’s family with bitcoin demands on February 4, more than a week after Nancy Guthrie went missing from her Arizona residence.
Federal investigators determined that all three ransom notes connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance are fabricated, according to an FBI official. “None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine,” the official told Reuters.
The Fake Communications
The assessment covers two notes reported in early February and a third message sent to TMZ in late June claiming to contain video evidence of an abduction. Callella acknowledged knowing that an earlier ransom demand had been made and that his actions were intended to harass the family, prosecutors said.
He faces up to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, plus one year of supervised release. Callella will be sentenced on September 10.
Calif. Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note https://t.co/sfofAMdXH7
— People (@people) July 2, 2026
The Ongoing Investigation
Nancy Guthrie disappeared on January 31, 2026, after her daughter Savannah dropped her off at home following a family dinner. Surveillance footage captured an armed, masked figure tampering with her security camera before she vanished.
Authorities discovered signs of a struggle inside the home, including blood in the hallway and a broken lamp. A $50,000 reward was offered for information leading to Nancy’s safe return or the arrest of those responsible.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI continue to treat the case as a kidnapping for ransom. No arrests have been made, and Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts remain unknown.
This story has been updated. CNN’s legal and investigative teams contributed to this report.