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Rio Rico Today
By the People, for the People
FBI Expands Search for Missing Arizona Woman Across Border
Alleged ransom notes claim Nancy Guthrie is being held "south of the border"
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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The FBI has reached out to Mexican authorities as they continue their search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since February 1. Alleged ransom notes sent to TMZ claim Guthrie is being held "south of the border", prompting the FBI to expand their investigation across the border. Investigators have also released surveillance footage of a masked suspect at Guthrie's home the night she disappeared and are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
Why it matters
The mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has garnered national attention, with the FBI now involving Mexican authorities in the search. This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in cross-border investigations and the urgency to find Guthrie, who is the elderly mother of a prominent media personality.
The details
The FBI reached out to Mexican authorities after alleged ransom notes were sent to TMZ claiming Guthrie is being held "south of the border." Investigators have also released surveillance footage of a masked suspect at Guthrie's home the night she disappeared. A person of interest from the border town of Rio Rico was briefly detained but later released. DNA evidence found near Guthrie's home did not yield any matches in the FBI's database. Authorities are now using high-tech Bluetooth signal detectors to try and locate Guthrie's pacemaker, which lost connection to her phone the night she went missing.
- Nancy Guthrie went missing on February 1, 2026.
- On February 10, a person of interest from Rio Rico was detained and later released.
- On February 19, the FBI increased their reward for information to $100,000.
The players
Nancy Guthrie
The 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since February 1.
Savannah Guthrie
The host of the "Today" show and daughter of the missing Nancy Guthrie.
Carlos Palazuelos
A person of interest from the border town of Rio Rico who was briefly detained and later released by police.
Pima County Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement agency leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
FBI
The federal law enforcement agency that has expanded the search for Nancy Guthrie to include Mexican authorities.
What they’re saying
“I was innocent, and they held me against my will.”
— Carlos Palazuelos (Reporters)
“It's not a magic bullet, but it's one more thing to try and find this poor woman.”
— Jody Weis, Retired FBI agent and former Chicago police superintendent (National News Desk)
What’s next
The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Carlos Palazuelos, the person of interest from Rio Rico, to be released on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in cross-border investigations and the urgency to find Nancy Guthrie, whose mysterious disappearance has garnered national attention. The FBI's expansion of the search to include Mexican authorities underscores the complexity of the case and the determination to bring Guthrie home safely.
