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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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A man who was detained in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has been identified as Carlos Palazuelos, who said he is innocent, according to multiple reports.
The search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, has been going on for more than a week. Law enforcement believes she was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, against her will and on Tuesday, the FBI released video and still images recovered from a camera outside her front door showing a masked figure with a handgun holster.
Pima County's Sheriff's Department said on X on Wednesday that officers had detained an individual in connection with its investigation. That individual has now been released.
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Palazuelos identified himself while speaking to reporters outside his home in Rio Rico. Palazuelos told Fox News that he was a local delivery driver who works in Tucson. He said he had been questioned and then released by the police.
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He said that "it might have been a possibility" that he delivered a package to Guthrie's house and suggested that police stopped him because his eyes looked similar to those of the person seen in the door cam footage.
In another interview, he told CBS News that he was innocent.
Newsweek reached out to the Pima County Sheriff's Department outside of normal business hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Guthrie's disappearance has attracted nationwide attention due to her daughter being Today co-host Savannah Guthrie. She has been missing for more than a week. The deadlines for alleged ransom notes sent to multiple news outlets after her disappearance passed on Thursday and Monday evening.
What To Know
Palazuelos told Telemundo the experience was "terrifying."
"I felt like I was being kidnapped, bro," he said, in comments reported by NBC News. "They didn't tell me anything."
In other comments reported by the Daily Mail, he said: "They held me against my will, they didn't even read me my rights two hours in." He said he didn't know who Guthrie was.
"I hope they find the suspect, cause I'm not it. They better do their job and find the suspect that did it so they can clear my name," he said.
His detainment came after the FBI on Tuesday released video and still images recovered from a camera outside Guthrie's front door in the early morning hours on the day of her disappearance that showed a potential subject.
The 84-year-old is said to have limited mobility but does not suffer from cognitive issues. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters last week that her home is now considered to be a crime scene and that investigators are not ruling out foul play.
Nanos also said Guthrie needs daily medication, and it could be fatal if she did not have the medication every 24 hours.
What People Are Saying
The Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a statement: "Earlier today, Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson. The subject is currently being questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation."
Savannah Guthrie previously told Newsweek: "Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department."
What Happens Next
The investigation into Guthrie's disappearance continues. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000, and people are urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) with any information.
Update 2/11/26, 11:18 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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