Break in case? Trial date fixed as Nancy Guthrie search enters Day 84 — what we know

More than two months after Nancy Guthrie vanished, the case is still unfolding in multiple directions. While investigators continue to search for answers, a separate legal development has now added a new layer to the story. Even as speculation grows online, officials insist the investigation remains active and focused.

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Why has a trial date been set now?

A Pima County judge has set a trial date for Derrick Callella, the man accused of sending a fake ransom message to Savannah Guthrie. Court records show the trial is scheduled for June 23 at a federal courthouse in Tucson, Arizona.

Callella, 42, is charged with “transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person,” according to the FBI.

The indictment states he sent two messages on February 4 asking, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.” He later told authorities he had been following the case on television and found the family’s contact details through a “cyber website.” Importantly, he is not accused of involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

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Who is Derrick Callella and why is he on trial?

Court records show a Pima County judge has scheduled a trial for Derrick Callella. He is accused of sending a fake ransom text to Savannah Guthrie in the weeks after her mother disappeared.

Importantly, Callella is not charged in connection with Nancy Guthrie’s abduction. His case stands separate from the main investigation, which continues without a named suspect, as per a report.



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Is there any progress in the investigation?

Behind the scenes, authorities are still examining forensic evidence collected from Nancy Guthrie’s Catalina Foothills home in Arizona. This includes DNA and hair samples that could prove critical.

A Northern California forensics lab—previously connected to the Gilgo Beach case—is now reportedly assisting the FBI in analyzing that evidence, as per a report.

Despite growing online chatter, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed one rumor directly. When asked by Fox News reporter Michael Ruiz whether a new person of interest had been detained, he responded with a single word: “Nope.”

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What’s happening around the Guthrie family now?

Savannah Guthrie has returned to her role on the Today show after stepping away for two months following her mother’s disappearance. She has been back at the anchor desk for three weeks.

During the April 15 broadcast, viewers noticed she briefly stepped away after teasing an upcoming interview with Anne Hathaway. When the show resumed, Hoda Kotb conducted the interview instead. Savannah later returned, though the show did not address the change.

Meanwhile, activity has increased around the family’s neighborhood in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Authorities have stepped up patrols following complaints about vloggers and amateur journalists. Additional attention has also been given to the home of Savannah’s sister, Annie, and her husband, Tommaso Cioni, as per a report.

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What do we know about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance?

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on January 31 after being dropped off at her home following dinner. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to meet a friend to watch an online church service.

The FBI later released doorbell camera footage showing a masked and armed individual at her home on the morning she disappeared. However, authorities have not identified the person or established a motive.

In late February, Savannah Guthrie announced a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother’s recovery.

As Day 84 passes, the investigation continues to move forward—slowly, but with steady attention on forensic evidence and leads that could eventually bring answers.

FAQs

Who is facing trial in connection with the case?
Derrick Callella, accused of sending a fake ransom message, not the disappearance.

Have police identified a suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s case?
No, authorities say no suspect has been named so far.