The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, has taken another troubling turn. More than five months after she vanished from her Arizona home, a California man has pleaded guilty to sending fake ransom messages connected to the case.

Derrick Callella, 42, admitted contacting Guthrie’s family on February 4 and seeking bitcoin while claiming to have information about her disappearance. Prosecutors say he knew an earlier ransom demand had been made and intended to harass the family while trying to obtain information about the investigation. He faces up to two years in prison, a possible $250,000 fine and supervised release, with sentencing scheduled for September 10.

The case has become even more confusing after federal investigators determined that ransom communications linked to Guthrie appear to be fake. Reports have described multiple messages, including one demanding millions in bitcoin, another claiming Guthrie had died, and a later message allegedly claiming to contain video evidence. The FBI has stressed, however, that the investigation remains active and that some communications are still being examined for possible legitimacy.

Guthrie was last seen on January 31 after returning home following dinner with her family. Authorities have said surveillance footage showed an armed, masked person near her home, while investigators found signs of a struggle inside, including blood and a broken lamp. Despite extensive searches, a $50,000 reward and numerous tips, Nancy Guthrie has not been found and no one has been arrested in connection with her disappearance.