Delivery driver held in custody over Nancy Guthrie disappearance breaks silence – confirms rumors!

A delivery driver who was detained and questioned in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has spoken publicly after being released without charges, firmly denying any involvement and criticizing how he says he was treated by investigators.

Carlos Palazuelos, 36, was taken into custody on February 10 while he was reportedly out driving in Arizona. His detention came as authorities intensified efforts in the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who has now been missing for 11 days. The case has drawn national attention, with law enforcement agencies working around the clock to determine what happened.

Palazuelos was held for several hours before being released. Authorities have not formally named him as a suspect, and no charges have been filed. After returning home, he addressed reporters outside his residence, expressing frustration and insisting on his innocence.

“They held me against my will,” he said. “They didn’t even read me my rights until two hours later.” He claimed he repeatedly told investigators that he had no connection to the disappearance and no knowledge of the Guthrie family.

According to Palazuelos, he was confused about why he had been detained in the first place. “What am I doing here? I didn’t do anything. To be honest, I’m innocent,” he said, emphasizing that he had never heard of Nancy Guthrie or her daughter Savannah and does not follow national news coverage.

Law enforcement officials have not publicly detailed the specific reasons for his detention, but sources indicate that investigators were exploring whether any recent deliveries to Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home might be relevant to the timeline of her disappearance. Palazuelos reportedly told officers that he may have delivered a package to the residence on February 1, the same day Nancy is believed to have gone missing.

DoorDash, the company Palazuelos works for as a delivery driver, issued a statement while he was still being questioned. The company said it was urgently looking into reports that a driver had been detained in connection with the case and confirmed that it had contacted law enforcement to offer cooperation.

“We have reached out to law enforcement and are ready to support their critical investigation in any way we can,” the company said in a statement. “Like tens of millions around the world, our hearts are with the Guthrie family during this heart-wrenching time.”

The company did not comment further after Palazuelos was released.

Standing outside his home, Palazuelos said he hopes investigators identify the person responsible as quickly as possible. “I hope they get the suspect, because I’m not it,” he said. “They better do their job and find the suspect that did it so they can clear my name. I’m done.”

His detention unfolded as authorities continue to piece together events surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Two ransom deadlines demanding $6 million in bitcoin for her safe return have already passed. Officials have not disclosed whether any payment has been made or whether communication with the alleged kidnappers is ongoing. Reports indicate the ransom note did not include a specific threat outlining what would happen if the demands were not met.

Earlier this week, federal investigators released newly recovered surveillance images that appear to show an armed individual outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in the early morning hours of her disappearance. The footage shows a masked person wearing a balaclava, gloves, a zippered jacket, and a backpack. The individual appears to be tampering with a video doorbell camera near the front entrance.

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the images were retrieved through cooperation between federal agents, local law enforcement, and private-sector partners. The footage had initially been inaccessible due to removed or damaged recording devices but was later recovered through backend digital data.

“Working with our partners, law enforcement has uncovered previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” Patel said in a public statement.

The release of the images has generated a surge of public interest and online analysis. While some have speculated about the suspect’s identity based on visible details, authorities have urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions from limited visual evidence and instead focus on providing credible tips.

Investigators have not announced any arrests or formally identified a suspect. Officials continue to review surveillance footage, analyze digital records, and follow leads connected to the ransom demands and the timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s last known movements.

Palazuelos’ brief detention highlights the intensity of the investigation and the wide net authorities are casting as they examine every possible connection. In high-profile cases, law enforcement often questions individuals whose activities intersect with key timelines, particularly when deliveries, service visits, or unfamiliar vehicles are involved.

For Palazuelos, however, the experience appears to have been both stressful and unsettling. He described being surprised by police involvement and said he felt blindsided by the allegations implied by his detention. He maintains that any delivery he may have made to the Guthrie residence was routine and unrelated to the disappearance.

As the case moves into its second week, the focus remains on locating Nancy Guthrie and identifying the individual captured in the surveillance footage. Law enforcement officials continue to ask anyone with relevant information to come forward, emphasizing that verified details — not speculation — are critical to advancing the investigation.

Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie and her family have remained largely private, releasing limited statements through representatives and expressing gratitude for public support. The uncertainty surrounding Nancy’s whereabouts continues to weigh heavily as authorities work to establish clarity.

No formal charges have been filed against Carlos Palazuelos, and he has been released without restrictions. The investigation remains active, and officials have pledged to provide updates as new information becomes confirmed.

For now, the search continues.