The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of beloved NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gripped the nation in early February 2026, unfolding as a harrowing tale of abduction, desperate family pleas, grim crime scene discoveries, and the chilling opportunism of strangers preying on grief. What began as a quiet Sunday evening in a upscale Tucson suburb has spiraled into a high-profile investigation involving local sheriff’s deputies, the FBI, cryptocurrency demands, and now federal charges against a California man accused of impersonating the kidnapper in a cruel hoax.

Nancy Guthrie vanished from her million-dollar home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, Arizona, sometime after being dropped off by family members around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026. She was reported missing the following afternoon when she failed to appear at church—a routine she rarely missed. Authorities quickly classified the case as a suspected kidnapping or forced abduction, describing the scene at her residence as deeply disturbing. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, visibly shaken during early briefings, revealed that upon learning the details, he instructed investigators to involve the homicide team. “This is not a typical missing person case,” he emphasized, underscoring the belief that Nancy was removed against her will.

A detailed timeline released by authorities on February 5 paints a picture of an ordinary evening turned nightmarish. Family members had spent time with Nancy earlier that Saturday, sharing a meal and conversation before driving her home. Surveillance from a doorbell camera captured no clear images of intruders, but software detected motion around the time of her disappearance. More alarmingly, at 2:28 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, Nancy’s pacemaker—connected to a monitoring device—abruptly disconnected. Her Apple Watch and other personal items were later noted as missing or disturbed. Blood belonging to Nancy was discovered on her front porch, confirmed through DNA testing on February 5. Sheriff Nanos confirmed the grim finding: “The blood on the porch is hers.” Despite this, he held out cautious hope, stating he had “no proof that the 84-year-old is still alive,” yet insisting authorities were “absolutely” believing she could still be “out there.”

Nancy’s health vulnerabilities amplified the urgency. At 84, she relied on daily medications for chronic conditions; without them, her condition could deteriorate rapidly. Family members, including Savannah, her sister Annie Guthrie, brother Camron Guthrie, and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, released heart-wrenching video pleas. In one emotional message, Savannah’s siblings begged for any sign of life from the abductor, highlighting their mother’s fragility. “We have to know that you have our mom,” Camron said in a follow-up video issued around the time of a reported ransom deadline. These appeals, shared widely on social media and news outlets, aimed to humanize the crisis and prompt direct communication from whoever held Nancy.

Amid the anguish, reports of ransom demands surfaced almost immediately, adding layers of complexity and suspicion. Media outlets, including TMZ and local stations like KOLD 13 News and Scripps News Tucson, received alleged ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s safe return. One note, reportedly sent to TMZ, included specific, previously undisclosed details about the abduction—references to Nancy’s Apple Watch, a floodlight at her home, and even insider knowledge of the residence—lending it initial credibility. Deadlines were set: an initial one at 5 p.m. on February 5, with a second on the following Monday if unmet, accompanied by threats of harm if ignored. Authorities acknowledged these communications, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stating they were “taking all tips and leads very seriously.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke confirmed the agency was investigating multiple notes, emphasizing that time was of the essence.

Yet, the landscape shifted dramatically with the emergence of imposters exploiting the tragedy. On February 5, federal authorities announced the arrest of Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old resident of California (specifically linked to addresses in Hawthorne and Torrance areas near Los Angeles). Callella faces two serious federal charges: transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce related to a kidnapped person, and anonymously utilizing a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass.

The incident unfolded rapidly after the family’s video plea on Wednesday, February 4. Moments later, Annie Guthrie and Tommaso Cioni received chilling text messages from a VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) number with a California area code. The message read: “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.” The timing—mere minutes after the public appeal—suggested a predatory response to the family’s desperation.

Investigators traced the VOIP line to a Gmail account registered in Callella’s name. Federal agents descended on his California home, where he quickly admitted to sending the two messages. Records showed he made a nine-second call to a family member about three minutes after the texts. In his confession, Callella reportedly explained that he had been following the case on television, obtained the family’s contact information from an online source, and sent the messages to “see if the family would respond.” Authorities described him as a “total imposter” and “grief profiteer,” with no connection to the actual abduction or legitimate ransom demands.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, in coordination with the FBI and local law enforcement, moved swiftly. “The Department of Justice will protect victims and families at all costs, and grief profiteers will be held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. The case came together in under 24 hours, showcasing impressive inter-agency collaboration. Callella’s arrest was announced during a February 5 press conference, where Janke warned other potential imposters: “We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”

This “imposter ransom demand” is not isolated. Reports indicate at least three purported ransom communications have complicated the investigation, bogging down resources and sowing confusion. While some notes contained verifiable details that authorities continue to probe for authenticity, the fake ones—like Callella’s—divert attention from genuine leads. The FBI has urged vigilance, reminding families in similar crises that scammers often emerge in high-profile cases to exploit emotions for financial gain.

As of February 6, 2026, no suspects have been named in Nancy’s actual disappearance. A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to her recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Search efforts persist around the clock in the Tucson area, with hundreds of tips pouring in. The absence of a clear motive or person of interest leaves the case shrouded in uncertainty—what prompted someone to target an elderly woman in her secure home? Was it random, opportunistic, or something more personal?

The emotional toll on the Guthrie family is palpable. Savannah Guthrie, known for her composure on national television, has stepped back from her duties to focus on the search, her public persona giving way to raw vulnerability. Siblings and extended family have rallied, their videos conveying both hope and heartbreak. The nation watches, united in concern for Nancy—an ordinary grandmother thrust into an extraordinary nightmare—and for the family enduring every parent’s worst fear.

This case underscores darker truths about human nature: the vulnerability of the elderly, the speed with which tragedy becomes spectacle, and the predators who lurk in the shadows of suffering. As investigators chase every lead, from cryptocurrency trails to forensic evidence at the home, the clock ticks. Nancy Guthrie remains missing, her blood on the porch a stark reminder of the violence that may have unfolded. Yet, amid the darkness, authorities and loved ones cling to the possibility of a miracle. The search continues, driven by love, persistence, and the unyielding demand for justice.