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FBI Says Some Ransom Notes May Be Genuine as Criticism Mounts Over Guthrie Investigation

Conflicting statements about ransom communications have complicated forensic work, eroded public trust, slowed tips to investigators

Overview

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home on January 31 and authorities continue to treat the disappearance as a suspected kidnapping for ransom.
  • Investigators have collected physical and digital evidence including blood on the porch and nearby street, doorbell footage of a masked person, pacemaker telemetry that stopped overnight, a single strand of hair, signs of forced entry, and human remains found near the property.
  • The FBI Phoenix office said it has received several ransom-style communications and that some were ruled extortion while other demands "may potentially be legitimate" and remain under active investigation.
  • A California man, Derrick Callella, pleaded guilty to sending fake ransom messages to the family, a prosecution officials say diverted resources and added to the family's distress.
  • External experts have publicly criticized coordination and messaging between investigators and the Guthrie family, and authorities say forensic testing, blockchain tracing and tip collection continue with a family reward still offered.