Who Is Derrick Callella? Everything to Know About the California Man Arrested for Nancy Guthrie Ransom Texts

Chances are, if you’ve seen the name Derrick Callella, you know it’s linked to the harrowing disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie. Is he the kidnapper? No, but he’s been arrested for sending a hoax Bitcoin demand to the family amid their crisis. 

Derrick Anthony Callella—born on July 25, 1983—was arrested by the FBI after they tracked a virtual phone number, an email with his full name attached and an IP address linked to his home near Hawthorne, California. He texted Nancy’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, and son-in-law—Tommaso Cioni—on February 4: “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.”

Callella has been charged with one count of intent to transmit a demand for ransom and one count of making a phone call without disclosing identity to abuse, threaten or harass any specific person.

While many are aware of this—just as many, if not more—aren’t aware of two other things: he has been in trouble with financial crimes before, and he has a musical persona with a rather disturbing name.

Read on to see more about who Callella is, specifically more about his music and criminal record.

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Derrick Callella was part of an embezzlement scheme

Before his arrest, Callella was part of an embezzlement scheme in which 13 Los Angeles County employees allegedly stole more than $430,000 in unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023. 

According to the LADA, he previously worked as an Intermediate Clerk in the Case Department of Health Services and allegedly stole $9,984 in unemployment benefits between May 6, 2020 and Jan. 20, 2022. His arraignment was set for Nov. 20, 2025. Callella is due back in court in Los Angeles on March 31. 

Related: Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mom: Derrick Callella Arrested by FBI, Admitted Sending Bitcoin Ransom Request

Derrick Callella is also known as “Secret Mutilator” 

After a bit of digging, you can find Callella’s alternate persona: a musician by the name of Secret Mutilator. According to his Bandcamp, he has released at least 11 bundles of music— ranging from EPs to albums. On Facebook, he describes his music as “SLASH ‘N BURN MODERN-SOUND TERRORISTS LUXED IN LAWLESSNESS & OUR CLOTHES ARE A MESS.” Along with that, the hoaxer sells merch featuring a photo from a Russian mafia propaganda poster promoting anti-government themes.

His last post on Instagram was for a beat called “Murdered by words” on Jan 20, 2026.

According to his Facebook, Callella is reportedly married. It’s unknown to whom or for how long at this time. While there is a photo of an infant-sized Colorado Rockies jersey, it remains unclear whether or not they share children together.

Callella has around 3,500 followers on his Facebook page, but most of his posts are set to private at this time.

Next up: What Happened to Savannah Guthrie’s Mom? A Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance