top of page
Shasta Unfiltered FF-01_edited.png

SHASTA

Serving the North State with Honest News and Entertainment

UNFILTERED

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

Breaking: Arrest Made in Fake Ransom Scheme - Nancy Guthrie Case

A California Man Demands $6 Million Bitcoin


As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie enters its eighth day, federal authorities have announced an arrest in connection with a fraudulent ransom demand, while the family publicly offers to pay a staggering $6 million in Bitcoin to secure her safe return. The mother of NBC "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, at her home in the upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood, and authorities believe she was abducted against her will.



Arrest in Imposter Ransom Demand

A California man, Derrick Callella was arrested in Los Angeles on February 5, 2026, for allegedly sending phony ransom texts to the Guthrie family inquiring about the Bitcoin demanded in reported ransom notes. According to a federal criminal complaint filed in Arizona, the messages were not linked to the primary ransom demands but exploited the high-profile case. FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Janke warned that such impostors would be "held accountable," emphasizing that the arrest is unrelated to the main investigation but highlights the flood of false leads complicating the case. This marks the first arrest in the saga, though authorities stress it's for a "fake" demand and not tied to Nancy's abductors.


Escalating Ransom Demands and Deadlines

Multiple unverified ransom notes have been sent to at least three news outlets, including KOLD News, TMZ, and KGUN 9, demanding up to $6 million in Bitcoin. One note specifies a deadline of 5 p.m. local time on Monday, February 9, 2026, with threats to Nancy's life if unmet. An earlier deadline mentioned in one note passed on February 5 without any reported incident. The FBI is analyzing these notes for authenticity, noting that while some contain specific details (e.g., about Nancy's clothing or home), others have been deemed hoaxes. No payments have been made, and law enforcement has not confirmed the notes' legitimacy.


Savannah Guthrie, in a tearful video released on February 7 alongside her siblings, stated, "We will pay" the ransom and urged the abductors to provide proof of life, emphasizing their desire to "celebrate" with their mother upon her return. Retired Las Vegas Police Lieutenant Randy Sutton analyzed the family's message, suggesting the wording might indicate a grim outlook but commended their willingness to negotiate.


Intensified Search Efforts and Evidence

The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) and FBI continue to treat the home as a crime scene, with blood found inside and on the front porch confirmed via DNA as Nancy's. Recent searches on February 7 and 8 included inspecting a septic tank and manhole at the property, as well as seizing a blue Subaru SUV from the garage and a "wired device" from the home. A neighbor's tip about the roof being "too clean" prompted further examination.


Police inspecting the septic tank on the property
Police inspecting the septic tank on the property

The timeline reveals Nancy's doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on February 1, with motion detected at 2:12 a.m., coinciding with the last ping from her pacemaker. No suspects or persons of interest have been named, and authorities have ruled out family involvement or ties to cartels/border issues. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for tips leading to Nancy's recovery or convictions. Hundreds of leads are being pursued, with the search expanding to adjacent states.


Other Breaking Clues

The official timeline for Nancy Guthrie's disappearance has been updated based on new evidence from digital forensics, including doorbell camera data, garage door logs, and pacemaker app records. Initially, the timeline was more general: Nancy was last seen alive on the evening of January 31, 2026 (around 9:30-9:50 p.m.), and reported missing around noon on February 1 after failing to attend church. This broad window left the exact time of the suspected abduction unclear, with early reports focusing on her absence the next morning.


On February 5, 2026, during a press conference, the Pima County Sheriff's Department released a more detailed and refined timeline, incorporating precise timestamps from security systems and medical device data. This update narrows the likely abduction window to the early morning hours of February 1 (between approximately 1:47 a.m. and 2:28 a.m.), shifting focus from a daytime incident to a potential nighttime intrusion. Sheriff Chris Nanos described this as an "approximate timeline" based on ongoing analysis, emphasizing that it provides a clearer picture of the events without video footage (due to no active subscription on the doorbell camera).


Updated Official Timeline (Released February 5, 2026)

Here's the revised sequence of events as provided by authorities:

  • January 31, 2026:

    • 5:32 p.m.: Nancy Guthrie takes an Uber or is driven to a local family member's home for dinner.

    • 9:48 p.m.: Family drops Nancy off at her home; garage door opens (captured on security logs).

    • 9:50 p.m.: Garage door closes; this marks the last confirmed sighting of Nancy alive.

  • February 1, 2026:

    • 1:47 a.m.: Doorbell camera disconnects (possibly tampered with or powered off).

    • 2:12 a.m.: Camera software detects a person (no video available due to lack of subscription; this is based on metadata logs).

    • 2:28 a.m.: Nancy's pacemaker app disconnects from her phone (last known digital signal from her device).

    • 11:56 a.m.: Family arrives to check on Nancy after she misses church.

    • 12:03 p.m.: 911 call is made to report her missing.

    • 12:15 p.m.: Patrol officers arrive at the scene.


The update stems from forensic analysis of digital logs, which weren't fully processed in the initial days of the investigation. Early reports relied on witness statements (e.g., family dinner and church absence), creating a wider potential timeframe. The new details pinpoint a 41-minute window (from 1:47 a.m. to 2:28 a.m.) as the likely period of intrusion, suggesting the abductor(s) may have spent time inside the home—raising questions from experts like former homicide detectives about what occurred during that interval (e.g., possible struggle or search). This refinement has shifted investigative focus to overnight activity, including neighborhood surveillance and potential witnesses from that time.


Community and National Response

Community vigils in Tucson have drawn hundreds, with neighbors erecting signs of support. President Trump has commented that "answers could be coming soon." Savannah has stepped away from her professional duties, including Olympics coverage, to focus on the crisis. Nancy is described as 5'5" tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes; she requires medication, making the situation a "race against time." Authorities urge anyone with information to contact PCSD at 520-351-4900 or the FBI tipline.


This remains an active, developing investigation with national implications, as the looming deadline heightens urgency.


Sources:

bottom of page