The man detained in connection with Nancy Guthrie‘s disappearance is speaking out, and insisting he’s “innocent”!
On Tuesday night, a DoorDash driver was taken in for questioning after a traffic stop as his mother-in-law’s nearby residence was searched in Rio Rico, Arizona, about an hour from Tucson, where the 84-year-old went missing over a week ago. Police later released the man, and they have not said how they think he may have ties to the case.
But that man, self-identified as Carlos Palazuelos, is insisting he has nothing to do with this disappearance!
Related: Police BLAST Reporters For Ordering THIS To Nancy’s Home!
After he was released from police custody, Carlos spoke with reporters, explaining that police were following his vehicle, which his wife was driving, and they pulled over. Carlos alleged the police “held [him] against [his] will” and didn’t read him his rights “until two hours later.” He said his wrists were “swollen [from] the handcuffs.” He argued he doesn’t even know who Nancy is and doesn’t watch the Today Show. Calling the ordeal “terrifying,” he claimed:
“I felt like I was being kidnapped because they didn’t tell me anything at the beginning.”
What a use of words considering the situation…
He went on:
“They didn’t even tell me what’s going on until the detectives got here. They told me I was being detained for kidnapping, and I asked them, ‘Kidnapping of who?’”
The deliveryman, who works in Tucson, alleged police have “insufficient evidence” to charge him with anything, adding:
“Supposedly, I was at her house, but, like I said, I deliver packages for GLS. I might have delivered a package to her house.”
He said he has no idea how they connected him to the case. He confirmed they took his phone, investigated two cars, and asked about his whereabouts, but he’s maintaining that he had nothing to do with this. He expressed:
“Until right now, all I know is that they showed my in-law a picture of somebody wearing a mask, or something, and supposedly it looks like my eyes. That’s all I know.”
Watch his interviews:
WATCH: The man questioned in relation to the Nancy Guthrie disappearance in Rio Rico, AZ is released. Carlos Palazuelos explains what happened to him. pic.twitter.com/1CUYWaIW6a
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) February 11, 2026
This is Carlos who says he was pulled over by police and was accused of kidnapping #NancyGuthrie.
They have released him.
We just spoke with him outside his house in Rio Rico Arizona
@CBSNews pic.twitter.com/BmsR2q5jBl
— Andres Gutierrez (@AFGutierrez) February 11, 2026
Immediately following his release, we spoke to a man who says he was detained by Pima County Sheriff’s deputies for “kidnapping” Nancy Guthrie. @FordHatchett @dannybavaro pic.twitter.com/3jj7mxSGFO
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) February 11, 2026
Whoa…
Police have not shared more details at this time.
A tip line has been set up: see HERE. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie, and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
[Image via Savannah Guthrie/Instagram]
