A chilling coincidence is unfolding in Arizona, connecting a violent home invasion near Scottsdale with the unsettling disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of ‘Today’ co-host Savannah Guthrie. Both events occurred on January 31st, raising questions investigators haven’t yet answered.
Two California teenagers are in custody, accused of posing as delivery drivers to infiltrate a Scottsdale home. Once inside, they allegedly duct-taped and assaulted the homeowners, demanding cryptocurrency. The victims maintained they didn’t possess the digital funds, prompting the teens to flee before police arrived.
The teens’ ordeal began before the invasion, court documents reveal. They were reportedly extorted by individuals known only as “Red” and “8,” and sent from California with $1,000 to acquire disguises and burglary tools. A mother’s concern, triggered by suspicious texts about a delivery uniform and a burglary, ultimately led to the teens’ capture.
Meanwhile, roughly two hours south in Tucson, Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home. Investigators initially suspected a kidnapping or abduction, a grim theory reinforced by the discovery of blood on her porch. The case took a disturbing turn with reports of a ransom note demanding millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
The alleged ransom note, received by a news outlet, contained specific deadlines and a veiled threat – “an element of ‘or else’”. The demands escalated with each passing time limit, creating a terrifying pressure on the Guthrie family. A public plea for Nancy’s safe return was issued just hours before the first deadline.
Adding another layer to the complexity, a California man, Derrick Callella, has been charged with transmitting ransom demands to the Guthrie family. Texts were sent to Savannah Guthrie and her husband, seeking confirmation of a bitcoin payment. Authorities traced the messages back to Callella’s email account and IP address.
While the ransom note sent to a Tucson TV station hasn’t been directly linked to Callella’s texts, the timing and nature of the demands are deeply unsettling. Investigators are meticulously piecing together the connections, if any, between the home invasion, the ransom demands, and Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Police discovered a 3D-printed gun in the possession of the teens, though it was reportedly unloaded and its functionality is still being assessed. The investigation continues, fueled by a desperate search for Nancy Guthrie and a growing sense of unease surrounding these interconnected events.
The FBI and local police departments are working tirelessly, pursuing every lead in both cases. The Guthrie family remains hopeful for Nancy’s safe return, while authorities strive to unravel the truth behind this unfolding mystery.
