The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gripped the nation since she vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31, 2026. What began as a quiet evening after dinner with family quickly escalated into a high-profile abduction investigation involving the FBI, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and thousands of tips from the public.
Authorities initially treated the case as a possible kidnapping for ransom, citing evidence at the scene suggesting Nancy was taken against her will. Surveillance footage from her doorbell camera captured a masked individual tampering with the device—covering it with foliage before approaching—hours before she went missing. The suspect appeared armed, wearing a jacket and carrying a distinctive backpack, later identified by some observers as potentially an Ozark Trail or similar hiking model due to reflective elements.
On February 10, a major development unfolded: deputies detained a man during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona, south of Tucson near the Mexican border. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the FBI, executed a search warrant at a location associated with him. The individual was questioned for several hours in connection with the disappearance but was released without charges early the next day. He was never officially named a suspect, though investigators followed leads that pointed in his direction.
The detained man, who identified himself only as Carlos (later reported as Carlos Palazuelos, a delivery driver), spoke to reporters outside his home after release. Visibly shaken, he described the experience as “terrifying” and maintained his innocence, stating he had no involvement in the case. He claimed to have been unaware of the Guthrie disappearance until pulled over.
Adding an emotional layer, the man’s mother-in-law, Josefina, gave an interview to NewsNation defending her son-in-law emphatically. She asserted that he had never displayed any violent behavior and possessed no criminal history. “He’s a good guy,” she said, insisting he was at home during the time of the abduction and that there was no resemblance between him and the masked figure in the surveillance video shown to her by authorities. Josefina expressed certainty in his innocence, noting that her daughter and grandchildren were with him, and the family had nothing to hide.
This defense came amid intense scrutiny and speculation online, where theories ranged from family involvement to opportunistic crime. Notably, earlier rumors falsely linked Savannah Guthrie’s actual son-in-law (married to her sister Annie) to the case, prompting fact-checks that debunked claims of him being blockaded or a suspect. Those rumors appeared to stem from misinformation spread on social media, unrelated to the detained individual in Rio Rico.
The investigation has seen other breakthroughs and setbacks. The FBI released enhanced images of the suspect, sparking over 4,000 tips in a single day. Agents scoured roadways and desert terrain near Nancy’s home in the Catalina Foothills, focusing on items like a black glove found discarded about a mile and a half away—potentially critical due to possible internal fingerprints or DNA. Experts like Nancy Grace emphasized the location’s significance, suggesting it resulted from a tip about something thrown from a vehicle.
A Bitcoin wallet linked to a ransom note reportedly became active after dormancy since the disappearance, though details remain unconfirmed by officials. Separate arrests occurred, including a former Los Angeles County employee charged federally for allegedly contacting relatives about ransom demands, but this appears tangential to the main suspect search.
As of February 12, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing. The FBI continues an extensive search, offering up to $50,000 in rewards for information leading to her recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The case has highlighted vulnerabilities in home security, the power of surveillance tech like Google Nest cameras (which aided in recovering key footage), and the challenges of misinformation in high-profile investigations.
Family, friends, and her church community have rallied with prayers and public appeals. Nancy, a respected Bible teacher and author, is remembered for her faith and kindness. Her pastor has called for prayers not only for her safe return but for the hearts of those responsible.
With the detained man cleared and new clues emerging—like gloves and potential backpack matches—the focus shifts back to the masked figure on camera. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact the tip line, as every detail could bring Nancy home.
