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Delivery Driver Questioned in Nancy Guthrie Case Speaks Out—Confirms Rumors and Denies Wrongdoing
A delivery driver who was briefly detained during the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has broken his silence after being released without charges, adamantly denying any involvement and voicing strong criticism over how he says law enforcement handled his questioning.
Carlos Palazuelos, 36, was taken into custody on February 10 while reportedly making deliveries in Arizona. His detention occurred as authorities ramped up efforts to locate 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie—the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie—who has now been missing for 11 days. The case has captured national attention, with multiple agencies working nonstop to uncover what happened.
Palazuelos was held for several hours before being let go. Officials have not labeled him a suspect, and no charges have been filed. After returning home, he addressed journalists outside his house, visibly frustrated and insistent on his innocence.
“They kept me against my will,” he stated. “They didn’t even read me my rights until two hours later.” He said he repeatedly told investigators he had no link to the disappearance and no knowledge of the Guthrie family.
Palazuelos said he was bewildered by his arrest. “Why am I here? I didn’t do anything. Honestly, I’m innocent,” he emphasized, adding that he’d never heard of Nancy or Savannah Guthrie and doesn’t follow national news.
Law enforcement has not publicly explained why he was detained, but sources suggest investigators were examining whether recent deliveries to Nancy’s Tucson home might align with the timeline of her vanishing. Palazuelos reportedly told officers he may have dropped off a package at the residence on February 1—the same day she is believed to have gone missing.
DoorDash, where Palazuelos works as a contractor, issued a statement while he was still being questioned. The company said it was urgently looking into reports of a driver’s detention and had reached out to law enforcement to offer full cooperation.
“We have contacted authorities and stand ready to assist their critical investigation in any way possible,” the company said. “Like millions around the world, our hearts are with the Guthrie family during this devastating time.”
The company declined to comment further after Palazuelos’ release.
Standing outside his home, Palazuelos expressed hope that the real perpetrator would be found soon. “I hope they catch the person who did this—because it’s not me,” he said. “They need to do their job and find the actual suspect so my name can be cleared. I’m done.”
His detention comes as investigators continue reconstructing the events surrounding Nancy’s disappearance. Two ransom deadlines demanding $6 million in bitcoin for her safe return have already expired. Authorities haven’t confirmed whether any payment was made or if communication with the alleged kidnappers is ongoing. Reports indicate the ransom note contained no explicit threat about consequences for noncompliance.
Earlier this week, federal agents released newly recovered surveillance images showing an armed individual near Nancy’s home in the early hours of her disappearance. The footage depicts a masked figure in a balaclava, gloves, a zippered jacket, and a backpack tampering with a video doorbell camera at the front entrance.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the images were retrieved through collaboration between federal agents, local police, and private-sector partners. The footage had initially been lost due to damaged or removed recording devices but was later restored from backend digital archives.
“Through joint efforts, law enforcement has uncovered previously inaccessible footage showing an armed individual apparently interfering with the doorbell camera at Nancy Guthrie’s home on the morning she vanished,” Patel stated publicly.
The release of the images has sparked intense public interest and online speculation. While some have attempted to identify the suspect based on visible clues, officials have urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions and instead submit credible tips.
No arrests have been made, and no suspect has been officially named. Investigators continue reviewing surveillance, analyzing digital data, and pursuing leads tied to the ransom demands and Nancy’s last known movements.
Palazuelos’ brief detention underscores the breadth of the probe, as authorities cast a wide net—particularly scrutinizing individuals whose routines intersect with key moments in the timeline, such as delivery personnel, service workers, or unfamiliar vehicles.
For Palazuelos, however, the experience was deeply unsettling. He described being caught off guard by police involvement and feeling blindsided by the implication that he might be connected to the crime. He maintains that any delivery he made to the Guthrie home was routine and entirely unrelated to her disappearance.
As the case enters its second week, the focus remains on finding Nancy Guthrie and identifying the individual seen in the surveillance footage. Law enforcement continues to appeal to the public for verified information, stressing that facts—not theories—are essential to moving the investigation forward.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie and her family have remained largely out of the spotlight, issuing only limited statements through representatives and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. The uncertainty over Nancy’s whereabouts continues to weigh heavily as authorities work to bring clarity to the case.
Carlos Palazuelos has not been charged and was released without restrictions. The investigation remains active, and officials have committed to sharing updates as confirmed details emerge.
For now, the search goes on.
