A Los Angeles man texted Nancy Guthrie’s daughter Annie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni demanding Bitcoin after she was abducted from her Arizona home.
Derrick Callella has been arrested for sending the fake ransom demand, according to a criminal complaint.
He texted the couple Wednesday shortly after Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, Annie and their brother Camron posted a video pleading for help, the FBI has revealed.
He told investigators he was ‘just trying to see if the family would respond.’
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Savannah Guthrie (left) and her family were sent a fake ransom note in connection to the disappearance of her mother Nancy Guthrie (right)
‘We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand, and the complaint will be presented at the state judge later today,’ FBI Special Agent Heith Janke announced Thursday afternoon.
‘My next message is to those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation – we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.’
Officials are now offering a $50,000 award for information that leads to the capture of Nancy’s abductor, four days after she was taken.
At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.
Nancy was last seen by her family at her house near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the following afternoon, with authorities believing she was taken from her home against her will.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke announced during a press conference Thursday that one person has been arrested for sending a fake ransom demand
Janke said that one of the reported ransom notes has a deadline of 5pm today. He added that the note had a second deadline for next Monday.
‘So we are continuing in a normal kidnapping case; there would be contact by now, trying to discuss that,’ Janke said.
‘But those are the time frames we’re looking at as we move forward.’
Investigators are taking the ransom note seriously, said Janke, who noted it included a demand for money with a deadline along with details about a flood light at the home and an Apple watch.
A note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included ‘red flags’ that have led those who saw it to believe it ‘might not be a hoax’, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.
She said the note contained information that only the abductor would know. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.
‘When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,’ she said in an interview aired Wednesday.
A note sent to TMZ demanded millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s release, but it is currently unclear if the note is genuine.
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Officials say Nancy, 84, is frail and has poor mobility, and suffers from a condition that requires her to take medication daily
Nancy Guthrie was last seen by her family at her house near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the following afternoon. Investigators have confirmed that blood found outside her front door matches Nancy’s DNA
Blood was spotted on the walkway of Nancy’s $1million Tucson, Arizona home
Investigators believe Nancy is ‘still out there,’ but they have not identified any suspects, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Thursday.
‘Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,’ Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing.
The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.
He also revealed that DNA tests showed that the blood found on Nancy’s porch has come back a match to her.
Janke, during the same press briefing, addressed Nancy’s abductors directly.
‘This is an 84‑year‑old grandma that needs vital medication for her well‑being,’ he said. ‘You still have the time to do the right thing before this becomes a worse, much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home.’
The FBI agent added that Guthrie family is ready to speak with their mother’s captors.
‘The family wants to be contacted. They know time is of the essence, and if those who may have Nancy are watching this, the family is ready to talk, get proof of life because there has been no contact since that ransom note,’ he said.
Today Show host Savannah Guthrie (with her mother Nancy in 2020) said her family is ready to talk but wants proof their mom is still alive
A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released an emotional message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper, but there has been no public sign of a response.
The Today Show host said her family is ready to talk but wants proof their mom is still alive. In the heart-wrenching video posted on social media Wednesday, Guthrie acknowledged hearing media reports about a ransom letter.
‘We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,’ Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement.
‘We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.’
