Ransom Note Trial Set Amid Guthrie Mom's Disappearance

The trial for Derrick Callella, 42, accused of sending fake ransom notes to Savannah Guthrie's family, is scheduled for June 23, 2026, at the federal courthouse in Tucson. He faces charges related to transmitting a ransom demand in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device for harassment.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of Today show personality Savannah Guthrie, was believed to have been forcibly taken from her Tucson, Arizona, home on the evening of January 31, 2026. Blood was found on her doorstep, and her personal belongings were inside the house.

Friends raised the alarm when Nancy did not appear at church on the morning of February 1, 2026. Evidence suggested a forced kidnapping, with her home security system disabled and blood discovered at the scene.

During the early stages of the investigation, fake ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin were sent to news outlets, including TMZ, on February 3, 2026. The FBI is investigating these notes, but their authenticity has not been confirmed. The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy's safe return.