Nancy Guthrie Update: Alleged New Message From Captors Emerges As Authorities Continue to Search Her Home

For days, the case has unfolded in fragments, police tape, hushed briefings, and unanswered questions. But late Friday, something happened that changed the search's rhythm.

Authorities returned to Nancy Guthrie's home, the mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, as night fell, even as officials insisted the investigation was proceeding methodically. What pulled them there again was not immediately apparent.

A Mother, a Family, and a Community on Edge

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Tucson-area home on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Investigators have said Nancy was taken against her will, and no suspects have been publicly identified.

Since then, the case has drawn national attention, fueled by its disturbing details and high-profile connections. Yet until late Friday, the public narrative had largely stalled.

A Sudden Shift Behind the Scenes

According to 13 News, investigators were seen searching Nancy's home earlier in the day. By that evening, law enforcement activity intensified.

Reporter Sean Mahoney observed authorities towing a blue SUV from the driveway. It remains unclear who the vehicle belonged to, but video from the scene shows it being removed under police supervision.

A Quiet Street Under Watch

The home sits in the 5800 block of East Camino Escalante. As of 9 p.m. Friday, East Camino Escalante was restricted from Cerrada Nopal to E Camino el Ganado.

A letter from the Catalina Foothills Association confirmed that both the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI had resumed searching properties in the area.

The Timing That Raised Eyebrows

The renewed activity came just hours after 13 News received a new message from someone claiming to be Nancy's captor.

The station said it immediately forwarded the message to law enforcement.

Officials have stressed that they are treating the message with caution. Still, its arrival appears to have coincided with investigators' return to the property.

What Authorities Are Saying

In a statement, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said, "The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department are aware of a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie. Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity."

The department reiterated that anyone with information should call 88-CRIME or 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy's recovery or arrest.

The Alleged New Message

Here is where the case takes its most unsettling turn. Law enforcement described the new email as a message, not a ransom note. According to 13 News, it contains information the sender believes could prove the sender's involvement in Nancy's disappearance.

Notably, the IP address used differed from the one associated with an earlier ransom note. However, investigators say it appears the sender used the same type of secure server to conceal their identity.

Out of respect for the family and the investigation, the station has declined to release the contents of the message.

A Looming Deadline

A February 7, 2026, video report revealed that the original ransom communications included two deadlines, one of which has already passed. The second deadline is approaching on Monday.

The report, citing TMZ's Harvey Levin, warned that the threat tied to the second deadline was described as "something far more consequential" if unmet, adding a new layer of urgency to an already tense situation.

Expert Warning: No Proof, No Payment

Former Navy SEAL commander and ex-FBI hostage negotiator Dan O'Shea weighed in on the case during a separate interview.

He described the captors' behavior as highly irregular and potentially manipulative. When asked what advice he would give the family, O'Shea was unequivocal:

"You never pay without proof of life. Bottom line, especially not millions of dollars. Um, the fact that they showed violence in the get-go, um, these they they have a propensity of violence [sic]."

"There's no guarantee. you know, you could I'm just saying it's a very tough decision. I can't imagine what the goths are going through at this stage, but um you cannot pay something without a proof of life," he added.

According to O'Shea, the captors are not acting in good faith and may be seeking media attention rather than engaging in negotiations. The decision to communicate through news outlets, rather than directly with the family, is almost unheard of in traditional ransom cases. That strategy could be designed to generate a nonstop news cycle and pressure everyone watching.

A Political Voice Enters the Conversation

According to 13 News, in an interview posted by Fox News late Friday, President Donald Trump said answers in Nancy's disappearance could come "fairly soon."

He added, "A lot has taken place in the last couple of hours," though he said he was not referring to the search itself. The comments, vague but ominous, only added to speculation about what investigators may have uncovered.

For now, authorities continue to sift through evidence, messages, and tips. Each new detail raises as many questions as it answers. While officials remain tight-lipped, the emergence of this alleged new message has unmistakably shifted the tone —from uncertainty to unease—as the clock continues to tick.

As investigators weighed the credibility of the alleged captor's message and intensified activity around Nancy's home, a separate development quietly unfolded, one that initially appeared decisive, but soon revealed a far more complicated turn in the case.

Authorities Detail Arrest

Federal authorities said Thursday, February 5, 2026, that a California man was taken into custody after allegedly contacting Guthrie's family during the height of public concern, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Investigators said the communications involved alarming messages sent across state lines, prompting rapid coordination between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement.

The FBI says the text messages were not linked to the ransom demand, and investigators do not believe the suspect was connected to Guthrie's disappearance, as TMZ reported.

Prosecutors say the man has been charged via a criminal complaint filed in federal court with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and, without disclosing his identity, using a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person. A criminal complaint, they noted, does not imply guilt.

The FBI says the suspect admitted sending the messages after following media coverage of the case and obtaining family information online.

Authorities ultimately identified the suspect as Derrick Callella, emphasizing he is presumed innocent while warning that those accused of profiting from tragedy will be aggressively pursued.

As investigators detailed the federal allegations, court records revealed Callella was already facing scrutiny in an unrelated case.

What Derrick Callella Was Previously Charged With

Public records show Callella was previously charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (LADA) as part of a broader unemployment fraud case involving Los Angeles County employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to LADA, Callella was one of 13 county employees charged with felony grand theft in a case alleging the group collectively stole $437,383 in state unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023.

Court records allege Callella, a Department of Health Services intermediate clerk, individually received $9,984 in unemployment benefits between May 6, 2020, and Jan. 20, 2022, by falsely claiming he earned less than $600 per week while continuing to receive a county paycheck.

That earlier case remained active as new allegations surfaced. The Los Angeles Times stated that Callella appeared in state court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing in that case. This was the same day he was accused of sending the scam-related text messages to the Guthrie family.

Federal officials told the outlet he was taken into custody Thursday in LA County and is expected to appear before a federal magistrate judge.

A lawyer representing Callella in the state case reportedly declined to comment and said she had not been contacted by federal authorities about the matter.

While attention turned to Callella's legal history, investigators in Arizona continued addressing unanswered questions tied to the disappearance itself.

Why No Doorbell Footage Exists

The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) has offered a technical explanation for the absence of recorded video from Nancy's doorbell camera during the early hours of her disappearance, according to Fox News.

Sheriff Chris Nanos explained, "Sunday morning, early morning at 1:47 a.m., the doorbell camera disconnects. At 2:12 a.m., software detects a person on a camera, but there's no video available. They had no subscription and therefore it would rewrite itself, cut up. It just kind of loops right and covers up. That's what our analysis teams have told us."

The PCSD's clarification is one of several efforts by authorities to separate confirmed findings from speculation as the investigation continues.

As previously reported, that attention prompted Savannah and her siblings to speak directly about their mother.

A Family's Emotional Plea Breaks the Silence

In a tearful Instagram video posted on Wednesday, February 4, Savannah appeared seated beside her sister, Annie, and brother, Camron, addressing viewers directly. The post's caption underscored the family's message with a simple appeal: "Bring her home."

In the clip, Savannah thanked the public for "the prayers for our beloved mom," adding, "We feel them, and we continue to believe that she feels them, too."

Savannah portrayed her mother as a deeply caring and principled person whose faith and loyalty define her character. She emphasized that Nancy is loving and generous by nature, while also highlighting her lively personality and sharp wit.

"She has grandchildren that adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses," Savannah said. "She loves fun and adventure. She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her, and you'll see."

Savannah said her mother is in poor health and physically vulnerable. She explained that Nancy lives with constant pain and currently does not have access to the medication she relies on. The medication is necessary both for her mother's survival and to prevent further suffering.

In the closing seconds of the video, Savannah spoke directly to her mother, "Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman, you are God's precious daughter Nancy."

But the family also used the moment to address reports that have intensified concern around the case.

The Family Responds To Alleged Ransom Notes

Savannah said the family is aware of reports claiming ransom notes were sent to media outlets and addressed the issue directly during the video. She emphasized that the family remains actively engaged as the investigation continues. "We are doing everything we can," she said.

She explained that the family is proceeding cautiously amid unverified information circulating publicly:

"However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. 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."

The statement underscored the family's insistence on verification before taking any further steps.

Those remarks came as new details were reported by a major media outlet.

News Outlet Details Alleged Ransom Demand

According to TMZ, the outlet received an alleged ransom note connected to Nancy's disappearance. The message reportedly demands a payment in the millions and instructs that the money be sent to a specific Bitcoin address, which TMZ said it verified as real.

The alleged note includes a deadline, but the exact timing was not disclosed, and it carries an implied threat.

They also reported that the message references personal details and damage to items at Nancy's Tucson-area home and said the information was forwarded to authorities.

As those claims circulated, law enforcement moved to clarify the situation.

Sheriff's Department Addresses the Ransom Report

The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) acknowledged awareness of reports involving possible ransom communications. Officials said on X that investigators are reviewing tips, speaking with relevant individuals, and coordinating with federal partners.

Authorities emphasized that conclusions will be based on verified evidence rather than speculation.

Still, online attention intensified as new claims emerged elsewhere.

Authorities Deny Claims Involving a Family Member

Another TMZ report introduced a separate angle in the investigation after an independent journalist claimed a family member may have been under scrutiny.

The report focused on Savannah's brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, who is married to her sister Annie. It noted that Annie was reportedly the last person to see Nancy after they had dinner together Saturday night, while it remained unclear whether Tommaso was also present.

It also suggested investigators had taken steps involving property connected to Tommaso and raised questions about damage reported at Nancy's Tucson-area home.

Those assertions were later directly addressed by law enforcement. "We have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case. Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie. We are also awaiting additional forensic results," the PCSD told TMZ.

Officials also denied reports that a vehicle connected to Tommaso had been seized, saying investigators are still awaiting additional forensic results.