Former LA County Employee Arrested for Alleged Hoax Messages Amid Nancy Guthrie Search

For days, the nation has been watching anxiously as investigators search for answers in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. When news broke that an arrest had finally been made, it briefly raised hopes of a major breakthrough. But authorities quickly clarified that this development, while serious, does not mean the mystery surrounding Nancy’s disappearance has been solved — and instead highlights how tragedy can attract cruel exploitation.

Federal officials say a Southern California man, Derrick Callella, was taken into custody after allegedly sending ransom-style text messages to members of the Guthrie family. The messages reportedly referenced bitcoin payments and were sent during an emotionally charged moment, shortly after Nancy’s children released a public plea for help. Investigators stress that Callella is not believed to be connected to Nancy’s suspected abduction and that the messages appear to be a hoax rather than a genuine ransom demand.

According to court documents, the texts were followed by a brief nine-second phone call to a family member, prompting relatives to immediately contact law enforcement. Authorities say Callella later admitted he sent the messages after closely following media coverage of the case and locating the family’s contact information online, allegedly to see if they would respond. Federal prosecutors have charged him with two counts related to transmitting communications demanding ransom, while emphasizing that a criminal complaint is an accusation, not a determination of guilt.

The arrest also drew attention to Callella’s past. Public records show he was previously charged in a large unemployment fraud case involving former Los Angeles County employees, accused of unlawfully receiving benefits during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the search for Nancy Guthrie — the mother of Savannah Guthrie — continues. The family has issued emotional appeals asking for verified proof of life, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned that anyone attempting to exploit the situation will be pursued. As investigators work to separate hoaxes from credible leads, the central question remains painfully unanswered: where is Nancy Guthrie, and how can she be brought home safely?