A man from Torrance, Derrick Callella, was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie. Callella faces charges for allegedly demanding Bitcoin from the Guthrie family. According to the federal complaint, he sent text messages asking if the family had completed the Bitcoin transaction.
Nancy was reportedly abducted from her home in Arizona early Sunday. As of now, authorities have not identified any suspects in her case. Callella’s texts came shortly after a ransom demand was received by a local media outlet and just after Nancy’s children made a video plea for their mother’s safe return.
Callella reportedly used an app to create a fake phone number for the texts. After being questioned by police, he admitted to sending the messages, claiming he wanted to see if the family would respond. He is charged with making threats and attempting to extort the Guthries.
Community reaction has been one of shock. Neighbors described Callella’s family as friendly and quiet. FBI Special Agent Heith Janke cautioned others against exploiting this situation for personal gain, emphasizing the seriousness of kidnapping cases.
On a related note, Nancy’s son Camron made an emotional plea for communication from the kidnappers, saying they need proof of life to move forward. He expressed a deep desire to converse with whoever is holding their mother.
Federal agents also shared a timeline of events surrounding Nancy’s disappearance. After spending Saturday evening with family, they brought her home just before 10 p.m. Early Sunday, her doorbell camera went offline, and signs of a struggle were found, including traces of her blood at the front door. This has compounded the urgency of the situation, with Janke appealing to anyone involved to do the right thing, especially considering Nancy’s age and health needs.
This tragic incident highlights not only the serious nature of kidnappings but also raises concern about the increasing use of digital currency in ransom demands. As cryptocurrency becomes more popular, such cases may emerge more frequently.
For more detailed information on the effects of Bitcoin in ransom scenarios, you can refer to the FBI’s overview on cybercrime.
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