Who Is Derrick Callella? All About Suspect Arrested In Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Ransom Note Case

‘Today’ show host, Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy’s disappearance case has became more complex. While investigators are searching for the 84-year-old, they received a ransom note asking for money. But before everyone could conclude that Nancy was close to be found, the investigators caught hold of the unrelated man who tried to profit from the whole case. According to a federal complaint in Arizona, the man has been identified as Derrick Callella, who sent harassing text messages to members of the Guthrie family on February 4, 2026, asking for bitcoin. Here’s everything you might want to know about him.

Who Is Derrick Callella?

According to the investigators, Derrick Callella, 42, is not linked to Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping case. But he came into the spotlight after he tried to make use of the Guthrie family’s distress to earn some money with a fake ransom note. However, he was arrested after law enforcement traced the number used in the messages to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) account registered to an email address in his name. Eventually, an emergency data disclosure revealed that the number was linked to an IP address from Callella’s California residence. Later, when Derrick Callella was read his Miranda rights, he admitted that he sent those texts to Savannah Guthrie’s family. 

According to the complaint, he told the investigators he had gathered the family’s information from a “cyber website”. Also, he was following the developments and details in the case from its TV coverage. Derrick continued that he sent those messages to see if Nancy’s family would respond. On the other hand, his phone data revealed he made a brief call to a family member minutes after sending the ransom texts. However, cops clarified that the texts are not connected to the original ransom communication made on February 2, 2026. Meanwhile, Derrick now faces federal charges related to the unauthorized transmission of those messages. 

What is the ‘ransom angle’ in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance?

Derrick Callella’s arrest came after some media outlets, including TMZ, KOLD-TV, and KGUN, received some ransom notes. One of the messages is being treated as authentic because it mentions unreleased details from the crime scene, including references to a floodlight and Nancy’s clothing that night. The note demanded millions in Bitcoin and set two deadlines: February 5, 2026,, and February 9, 2026. However, investigators say there has been no proof of life, no photo or video evidence, and no two-way communication with the family, making things complicated. Whereas Derrick’s actions were separate from the communication, yet the timing added more to the chaos.

What happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been abducted from her Tucson home on the night of January 31, 2026. As per Chris Nanos, Sheriff of Pima County, they found blood on the porch of the 84-year-old’s home, indicating a struggle. They also noted that her doorbell camera was disabled at 1:47 a.m., and her pacemaker monitoring app lost connection at 2:28 a.m., hinting towards deliberate tampering. At the same time, authorities believe that the kidnapping was targeted and possibly linked to her high-profile family connection. On the other hand, the Guthrie family has announced a USD 50,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.

What do you think about the ransom notes received by the Guthrie family in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance? 

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