The search for Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, took a dramatic turn when a man was briefly detained for questioning. Carlos Palazuelos, a 36-year-old delivery driver, found himself at the center of a rapidly unfolding investigation, just twenty minutes from the Mexican border.
Palazuelos was pulled over during a routine traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona, and immediately became a person of interest in the high-profile disappearance. He works as a contract driver for multiple companies, navigating daily routes for FedEx, UPS, and DoorDash, and was recently living with his mother-in-law following an eviction.
As authorities converged, Josefina, Palazuelos’ mother-in-law, passionately defended his character to reporters gathered outside her home. She insisted on his innocence, suggesting the van that drew attention was simply his work vehicle, a familiar sight on his delivery rounds.
After hours of intense interrogation, Palazuelos was released without being charged. He immediately sought to clarify his involvement, speaking candidly with a local news crew about the confusing circumstances of his arrest.
“I pulled over because they were following me,” Palazuelos explained, recounting the moment the traffic stop began. “They didn’t even have to signal me until I got out of the car, and then they arrested me. They didn’t tell me what was going on for two hours.” He expressed shock when informed of the case, asking, “Nancy Guthrie?”
He stated he may have delivered a package to her residence, but vehemently denied any involvement in a kidnapping. “I might have delivered a package to her house, but I never kidnapped anybody,” he asserted, hoping for a swift resolution and the identification of the true suspect.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31st, after a family dinner and a ride home with her son-in-law. The following day, her absence was noted when she didn’t attend her regular church service, triggering a frantic search.
The case escalated with the arrival of a chilling ransom demand: $6 million in bitcoin. A deadline passed on February 9th without payment or further contact from the alleged kidnappers, leaving the Guthrie family in agonizing uncertainty. Despite public statements of willingness to pay, the funds remain untouched.
Investigators released disturbing images and videos showing a suspect deliberately tampering with Nancy Guthrie’s home surveillance system. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are meticulously analyzing the footage, hoping to identify the individual responsible.
A concerning detail emerged: less than $300 was deposited into the bitcoin wallet used for the ransom demand, a paltry sum compared to the requested amount. This raised questions about the seriousness of the threat and the motives of those involved.
The investigation has now focused on the Tucson area, with authorities believing the perpetrator is local and operating within a small radius of Nancy Guthrie’s daughter’s home. SWAT and bomb squads responded to a location just ten minutes from her residence, intensifying the search.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, providing contact numbers for 911, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI. The search for Nancy Guthrie continues, fueled by hope and a relentless pursuit of justice.
