The high-stakes search for Nancy Guthrie entered its 12th day on February 12, 2026, with authorities shifting focus after a brief but intense detention that ultimately yielded no charges. The 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Arizona, following what investigators describe as an abduction in the early hours of February 1.

The drama intensified on February 10 when the FBI released chilling surveillance footage from Nancy’s Google Nest doorbell camera. The video shows a masked individual—medium build, wearing dark clothing, and appearing to carry a firearm in a holster—approaching the door late on January 31. The suspect covers the camera lens with foliage before any further interaction is captured, suggesting premeditation. Enhanced images released by the FBI highlighted distinctive features, including what some analysts identified as a possible backpack with reflective strips, potentially traceable through retail records.

Hours after the footage went public, Pima County Sheriff’s deputies, working with the FBI, detained a man during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, roughly 60 miles south of Tucson near the Mexican border. The detention stemmed from incoming tips and led to a search warrant executed at a related property. The individual, later identified by media as Carlos Palazuelos, a local delivery driver, was held and questioned for several hours into the early morning of February 11 before being released without charges.

Emerging from custody visibly rattled, Palazuelos spoke to reporters outside his home. He described the ordeal as bewildering, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the Guthrie case until pulled over. “What the f–k am I doing here? I didn’t do anything… I’m innocent,” he said, emphasizing that authorities had shown a photo of the masked suspect to his in-laws, who noted a vague resemblance in the eyes but insisted it wasn’t him. He expressed hope that the real perpetrator would be caught soon so he could fully clear his name.

Adding emotional weight to his defense, his mother-in-law, Josefina, granted an exclusive interview to NewsNation’s Brian Entin. She described her son-in-law as a “good guy” with no history of violence or criminal record. “He’s innocent,” she asserted firmly, explaining that he was at home with family during the time of the disappearance. When shown the surveillance footage by investigators, she saw no resemblance beyond superficial details and maintained the family had “nothing to hide.” Josefina recounted how a tip—possibly from someone claiming to have seen Nancy at her residence—sparked the police action, but she dismissed any connection outright.

This development came amid a flood of public tips—over 4,000 in a single 24-hour period following the footage release—prompting extensive ground searches. FBI agents combed roadways and rugged desert terrain near Nancy’s home, recovering a black glove discarded about 1.5 miles away. Experts, including former prosecutors and profilers, highlighted the glove’s potential for DNA or fingerprints, while noting its location could indicate it was tossed from a moving vehicle based on a credible tip.

Other investigative threads include reports of ransom notes, one of which prompted family statements indicating willingness to pay. A Bitcoin wallet allegedly linked to ransom demands showed unusual activity after remaining dormant since January 31, though officials have not confirmed details. Separate arrests, such as a former Los Angeles County employee charged with related communications, appear peripheral.

The case has drawn nationwide attention, fueled by Savannah Guthrie’s emotional public pleas. In videos posted to social media, she and her siblings expressed belief that their mother—fragile in health but strong in spirit—is still alive. “We are at an hour of desperation,” Savannah said, urging tips via the FBI line (1-800-CALL-FBI), 88-CRIME, or local numbers. Community support has surged, with billboards featuring Nancy’s photo and prayer vigils at her church, where she was known as a beloved Bible teacher and author.

Experts caution that stranger abductions of elderly individuals are rare, often pointing toward personal motives or opportunistic crime. The absence of a named suspect or person of interest after 12 days underscores the challenges, yet breakthroughs in similar cases frequently arrive unexpectedly through persistent tips or forensic matches.

As searches continue and the $50,000 reward stands for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or the perpetrators’ conviction, the focus remains on the masked figure from the porch video. Authorities stress that every detail matters—clothing, vehicles, or unusual behavior in the days surrounding the disappearance could crack the case wide open.

Nancy Guthrie’s family, friends, and a growing public audience await her safe return, holding onto hope amid the uncertainty. The investigation presses forward, with every cleared lead narrowing the path to justice.