A man briefly detained in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance was released without charges early Wednesday. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department had said Tuesday that deputies stopped and detained a person during a traffic stop south of Tucson and questioned him in connection with the case. Authorities have not officially named a suspect or a person of interest.
The man identified himself as Carlos Palazuelos in an interview with Fox News. He said he had nothing to do with the disappearance. Palazuelos said he makes deliveries in the Tucson area and that investigators asked about his recent whereabouts. He also said authorities showed his in-law an image of a masked person and suggested the eyes looked similar to his.
Nancy Guthrie disappearance and a detention with no charges
The sheriff’s department announced the detention Tuesday after the traffic stop. By early Wednesday, the man had been released without charges, according to the initial reporting. Investigators have not indicated whether the stop produced evidence tied to Guthrie’s disappearance.
For now, officials are keeping their focus on gathering information and verifying leads. They have not publicly detailed what prompted the detention.
FBI doorbell footage shows a masked figure at the home
Hours before the detention, the FBI released previously inaccessible doorbell camera images and video. A doorbell camera is a security device mounted near a front door that records motion-triggered clips.
The footage shows a masked person wearing gloves and a backpack tampering with the front door camera at Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home. The activity appears to take place around the time she vanished on Feb. 1.
Investigators are expected to analyze the video for identifiers such as clothing, movement, and timing, even though the person’s face is covered.
Search in Rio Rico brings FBI support
Overnight, investigators executed a court-authorized search at a property in Rio Rico, Arizona. The location is about 60 miles south of Tucson, near the Mexico border.
The FBI’s Evidence Response Team assisted local deputies during the search. This specialized unit supports law enforcement by locating, documenting, and collecting potential evidence in a way designed to preserve it for further analysis.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the search concluded early Wednesday.
What investigators are saying now
Authorities have not announced an arrest. They also have not officially named a suspect or person of interest.
The case has intensified in recent days as new video emerged and investigators expanded their search activity. For now, the public updates point to an active investigation that is still working to connect evidence, confirm timelines, and identify the person seen on camera.