Potential Break in Nancy Guthrie Abduction Case: Man Detained During DoorDash Delivery
Law enforcement officials have made significant progress in the high-profile case of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of US journalist Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing for nearly two weeks. In a dramatic development, deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with FBI agents, detained a person of interest on February 10, 2026, during a traffic stop south of Tucson, Arizona.
Details of the Detention and Search Operation
According to an Associated Press report, the individual was apprehended at a location south of Tucson, near where Nancy Guthrie resided. The police confirmed this action through a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Simultaneously, authorities have initiated a search of a property linked to the detained man in Rio Rico, Arizona. Vehicles from the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department were observed outside a residence in Rio Rico, with local accounts suggesting the FBI and police are conducting a court-authorized search. However, these reports remain unconfirmed by official sources.
Identity and Background of the Person of Interest
CNN has identified the detained individual as Carlos Palazuelos of Rio Rico, Arizona, based on statements from his mother-in-law. She spoke to CNN, vehemently denying any involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, describing her son-in-law as a good man and father with no criminal record. She claimed the search was prompted by a tip to police that the missing woman was at their house, which she allowed authorities to inspect. In an interview with NewsNation, she added that her daughter, Palazuelos, and their children were engaged in a DoorDash delivery when they were stopped by law enforcement. It is important to note that neither the police nor the FBI have officially confirmed the identity of the detained person.
Surveillance Footage and Investigation Developments
The FBI has released surveillance images of a potential suspect in the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel announced that federal investigators and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have spent the past eight days working with private sector partners to recover missing or corrupted footage from Guthrie’s home. The released media shows a person wearing gloves, a mask, khakis, sneakers, and a backpack at Guthrie’s front door on the morning of her disappearance, appearing to tamper with the home’s security camera. The AP report cautions that it is not immediately clear if the detained individual is the same person captured in this surveillance video.
Speculation About Fleeing Attempt and Ongoing Probe
A report by the New York Post, citing sources, suggests that the person of interest was detained while heading toward the United States-Mexico border. He was pursued and stopped at a small border community approximately 95 kilometers south of Nancy Guthrie’s home and about 14 kilometers from the border. Sources could not confirm if the man was attempting to flee to Mexico and did not provide details on his identity. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information.
