A California man, Derrick Callella, has pleaded guilty to sending fraudulent ransom messages to Nancy Guthrie’s family while investigators were searching for answers about her disappearance.

According to prosecutors, Callella admitted that he contacted family members on February 4 and sought a Bitcoin transfer while pretending to have information connected to the case. He also acknowledged that he knew an earlier ransom demand had already been made.

Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of harᴀssment using a telecommunications device. Importantly, authorities have not identified him as being involved in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance itself. His conviction relates to the hoax communications sent to the family.

The case is now drawing renewed attention because this guilty plea represents the only criminal conviction to date stemming from Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, while the broader investigation remains separate.

The development adds another troubling chapter to an already painful investigation—but it does not answer the central question of what happened to Nancy.

Her family is still waiting for the answers that matter most.

👉 Source: Reuters — California man admits sending fake ransom notes in Nancy Guthrie abduction 