Person Detained in Nancy Guthrie Search Released

FBI's elite hostage rescue team joins search for missing 'Today' show host's mother

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Police have released the person they detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie. The FBI's elite hostage rescue team is assisting in the search, which has entered its tenth day. Authorities say they are looking at more than one individual as a 'person of interest' but have not named any suspects.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has garnered national attention, with the FBI and local law enforcement working to find the missing mother of a prominent TV personality. The case has raised concerns about home security and the vulnerability of elderly individuals, as well as questions about the effectiveness of ransom demands and the challenges of investigating high-profile missing persons cases.

The details

Police detained a man after the FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked, armed person approaching Nancy Guthrie's home and covering her doorbell camera. The person detained was not considered a suspect, but authorities did execute a search warrant at his home in Rio Rico, Arizona. Nancy Guthrie remains missing, and the FBI is looking at more than one individual as a 'person of interest' in the case.

  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on January 31, 2026.
  • The FBI released surveillance footage and images on February 10, 2026.
  • The person detained for questioning was released on February 11, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31, 2026.

Savannah Guthrie

The host of the 'Today' show, whose mother Nancy Guthrie has been missing since January 31, 2026.

Kash Patel

The director of the FBI, who stated that the bureau is looking at more than one individual as a 'person of interest' in the Nancy Guthrie case.

Carlos Palazuelos

The son-in-law of a woman named Josefina, who was detained by police for questioning in the Nancy Guthrie case but was later released.

Josefina

The mother-in-law of Carlos Palazuelos, who believes her son-in-law is innocent and was with her at the time of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Carlos Palazuelos out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of investigating high-profile missing persons cases, the importance of home security for elderly individuals, and the ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of ransom demands in such situations.