Delivery Driver Detained in Nancy Guthrie Abduction Case Denies Involvement

Authorities release video of masked intruder at Guthrie's home, but delivery driver says 'I didn't do anything'

Feb. 11, 2026 at 10:47am

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Tucson authorities have yet to identify a suspect in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savanah Guthrie. A delivery driver named Carlos Palazuelos was briefly detained and questioned but later released, claiming he had no involvement in the case and had never even heard of the Guthrie family.

Why it matters

The Nancy Guthrie abduction case has garnered national attention, with the FBI releasing video evidence of a masked intruder at Guthrie's home the night she disappeared. The detention and release of the delivery driver highlights the challenges authorities face in piecing together the details of this high-profile missing persons case.

The details

Police detained Carlos Palazuelos, a 36-year-old delivery driver, after a traffic stop on Tuesday night. Palazuelos claims he was 'held against my will' for several hours and had his home searched, but authorities never questioned him extensively. Palazuelos says he works for a parcel delivery service in Tucson and may have delivered a package to Guthrie's home, but denies any involvement in her disappearance.

  • On February 1, Nancy Guthrie was reported missing.
  • On February 11, Carlos Palazuelos was briefly detained by police but later released.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of Today show host Savanah Guthrie, who was reported missing on February 1.

Carlos Palazuelos

A 36-year-old delivery driver who was briefly detained by police in connection with the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case, but later released and declared his innocence.

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What they’re saying

“What the fuck am I doing here? I didn't do anything. To be honest, I'm innocent.”

— Carlos Palazuelos

“I told them, I work in Tucson for GLS, I might have delivered a package to her house but I never kidnapped anybody. They hold me from 4 p.m. 'til now.”

— Carlos Palazuelos

“I hope they get the suspect, because I'm not it. And they better do their job and find the suspect that did it so they can clear my name. I'm done.”

— Carlos Palazuelos

What’s next

Authorities have said they are continuing to investigate the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and have not ruled out any suspects. The FBI is analyzing the video footage from the doorbell camera at Guthrie's home for additional clues.

The takeaway

The detention and release of the delivery driver highlights the challenges authorities face in solving high-profile missing persons cases, where early leads and speculation can quickly turn out to be dead ends. The case remains an active investigation as police search for the true suspect behind Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.