In a shocking twist to a heartbreaking family crisis, the FBI has arrested a California man who allegedly tried to extort Savannah Guthrie's family while they were desperately searching for their missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.
Derrick Callella, 42, from Hawthorne, California, was taken into custody after investigators say he sent chilling ransom demands to Guthrie's family members within hours of their emotional public plea for help. The U.S. Attorney's Office has charged him with transmitting a ransom demand across state lines and using a telecom device anonymously to harass or threaten.
The arrest came just one day after Savannah Guthrie, her sister Annie, and brother Camron appeared in a tearful video asking for information about their mother's disappearance, which occurred between the night of Jan. 31 and the morning of Feb. 1. In that video, Savannah directly addressed rumors of a ransom note, saying, "We're open to talking, but in a world where content can be faked, we need proof she's alive and in your custody."
According to court documents obtained exclusively by TheEntBase, Callella allegedly texted Savannah's sister Annie and her husband Tommaso Cioni shortly after the video aired, demanding Bitcoin with the message: "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction." He also made a brief nine-second call to another family member.
What makes this case particularly disturbing is Callella's alleged confession to authorities. He reportedly admitted to sending the texts and gathering family information from a cyber site, telling investigators he was "following along and watching TV" and "trying to see if the family would respond."
Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy Guthrie. Savannah Guthrie/Instagram
Authorities traced the threatening texts to an IP address linked directly to Callella's home, leading to his swift arrest. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine stated, "The DOJ will protect victims and families at all costs, and those exploiting grief will be held accountable. This case was resolved in under 24 hours thanks to collaboration between the FBI, local police, and our office."
FBI agent Heith Janke issued a stern warning to other potential scammers: "Imposters attempting to profit from this situation will be investigated and face consequences." Janke had earlier announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery or the arrest of those involved in her disappearance.
The complaint also reveals that on Feb. 2, a separate ransom demand was sent to a CBS affiliate in Tucson, Arizona, through their online portal, complete with a Bitcoin wallet address. Officials have clarified this came from a different source, indicating multiple parties may be attempting to exploit the family's tragedy.
As the Guthrie family continues their agonizing search for Nancy, this arrest serves as a stark reminder of the predators who lurk in the shadows of tragedy, ready to pounce on vulnerable families in their darkest moments.
