A person briefly detained in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Rio Rico, Arizona, has been released, according to authorities.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office reported that officers stopped the individual during a traffic stop near Tucson, close to the U.S.-Mexico border. This occurred shortly after the FBI shared surveillance images of a masked figure appearing to carry a handgun holster outside Guthrie’s home on the night she went missing.
In addition, both the sheriff’s department and the FBI carried out a court-sanctioned search of a home in Rio Rico, a town with around 20,000 residents, not far from the border. Officials indicated that the search would be extensive, lasting several hours. By Wednesday morning, they had concluded their investigation at the residence and removed police tape.
A man, who identified himself as Carlos Palazuelos, told reporters he was one of those pulled over during the traffic stop. After being questioned, he was released and returned home. Palazuelos, who works in package delivery, insisted he had no connection to Guthrie’s case. He mentioned that investigators asked about his location and took his cell phone but eventually let him go.
He also mentioned that it was “possible” he might have delivered a package to her home. An investigator had shown one of his relatives a photo of the masked individual from the surveillance footage, suggesting it could somewhat resemble him.
“That’s it. That’s all I know,” Palazuelos stated.
The FBI released surveillance video showing a masked figure wearing a backpack and something resembling a holstered gun outside Guthrie’s property the night she disappeared. In the footage, the individual shifts away from the doorbell camera, holding a flashlight in his mouth, seemingly attempting to obscure the camera lens with a glove and a piece of foliage.
For over a week now, investigators have believed that Guthrie was taken against her will. She was last seen at her home on January 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities confirmed that DNA tests verified the blood found on her front porch as hers.
Guthrie, who is 84 years old, is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, a host on the Today show. Her disappearance garnered significant media attention. Savannah and her two siblings have made various video appeals for their mother’s return, expressing their willingness to pay for her safe return while also seeking confirmation that she is still alive.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos noted that Nancy Guthrie is mentally alert but has limited mobility and requires multiple medications, raising concerns regarding her health if her medications are not accessible.
In response to the case, the FBI has begun erecting digital billboards in several major cities requesting information, and authorities are encouraging anyone with leads to contact their agents.
