WATCH: Man Detained for Questioning in Nancy Gutherie Abduction Case Released — Immediately Speaks to the Media and Says He is Innocent
The man who was detained for questioning in the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been released and immediately did an on-camera interview with local media.
On Wednesday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department detained Carlos Palazuelos in Rio Rico, Arizona, approximately 20 minutes from the border of Mexico.
Palazuelos, a 36-year-old delivery driver, was pulled over during a traffic stop and held for questioning in connection with the case. He works as a contract delivery driver for companies like FedEx, UPS, and DoorDash. He was living with his mother-in-law, Josefina, after an eviction.
His mother-in-law spoke to reporters outside her home as the raid was underway, insisting on his innocence. She argued that the van that had raised suspicion was likely the one he used for deliveries.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Carlos Palazuelos(?) of Rio Rico, AZ has been identified by his mother-in-law as the person in custody regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie pic.twitter.com/iylk5g9cXl
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) February 11, 2026
The person detained in the #NancyGuthrie case is innocent, his mother-in-law tells NewsNation’s @BrianEntin. Josefina says her son-in law hasn’t shown any violent behavior and doesn’t have any criminal history. #JesseWeberLive
MORE: https://t.co/qrT2zBCOkN pic.twitter.com/0B0e2876fj
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 11, 2026
After several hours of interrogation, Palazuelos was released without charges.
Speaking to Ford Hatchett of ABC 15 News, Palazuelos said that his wife was driving when he was pulled over.
“I pulled over because they were following me, and once I saw that they were following me, I pulled over. They didn’t even have to put a traffic stopper on it until I got off the car, and they arrested me as soon as I got out of the car. They didn’t tell me what was going on until the detectives got here, like two hours after I got arrested,” Palazuelos explained.
“Then when they… I don’t know her name—Nancy Guthrie?” Palazuelos asked the reporter.
Palazuelos said he “might have delivered a package to her house, but I never kidnapped anybody.”
WATCH:
#EXCLUSIVE #BREAKING SUSPECT DETAINED IN NANCY GUTHRIE KIDNAPPING NOT CONNECTED IN CRIME. pic.twitter.com/g6Qbu7uOzj
— B. Wilkins lll (@ScummyMummy511) February 11, 2026
Palazuelos said he hopes they find the suspect, because it “isn’t me.”
He says he’s innocent & has nothing to do with Nancy Guthrie. pic.twitter.com/MegMV5OI7i
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) February 11, 2026
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence on January 31, after being dropped off by her son-in-law following a family dinner. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to attend church.
The family received a ransom demand for $6 million in bitcoin, with a deadline of February 9 that passed without payment or further communication from the alleged kidnappers. The Guthrie family has agreed to pay for it in videos posted to social media, but has not done so as of Wednesday morning.
The alleged kidnappers have not offered any sign of life.
On Tuesday, the FBI released images and videos of the suspect tampering with Nancy Guthrie’s surveillance camera.
New images in the search for Nancy Guthrie:
Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost,… pic.twitter.com/z5WLgPtZpT
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 10, 2026
Less than $300 was also moved into the bitcoin wallet belonging to the person claiming to have abducted her.
The investigation continues with no arrests in the abduction itself.
Jesse Watters announced on air, “TMZ is reporting that investigators believe whoever took Nancy was from the Tucson area and that the manhunt seems to have zeroed in on a tiny radius surrounding her daughter’s block.”
After less than $300 was deposited in the alleged ransom Bitcoin account, SWAT and Bomb Squads are now responding to an area about 10 minutes from Nancy Guthrie’s house.
“TMZ is reporting that investigators believe whoever took Nancy was from the Tucson area and that the manhunt… https://t.co/7jWq6jVYHB pic.twitter.com/dlSF0mvc7g
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) February 11, 2026
Anyone with information is being asked to call 911, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
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