A man who was detained for questioning in connection with the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie has been released, according to multiple media reports. The individual, identified only as Carlos, was freed from custody early Wednesday after being held for several hours following a traffic stop south of Tucson, Arizona.
Details of the Detention and Release
The man, a delivery driver, told the New York Times that he was detained on Tuesday after police pulled him over. He stated, "I hope they get the suspect, because I’m not it." In an interview with KNXV, Carlos described the incident, saying he and his wife noticed police following them and pulled over. "They told me I was being detained for kidnapping. I asked them, 'Kidnapping of who?'" he recounted. He explained that he might have delivered a package to the Guthrie residence but denied any involvement in the crime, adding that he was terrified and felt as if he were being kidnapped himself.
Authorities have not officially confirmed the release, but the Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced early Wednesday that it had completed a search of a property in Rio Rico, Arizona, as part of the investigation.
Ongoing Search and New Evidence
The search for Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman who disappeared in Tucson, has now entered its 11th day. On Tuesday, investigators released chilling doorbell camera footage showing a masked, armed individual on the front porch of Samantha Guthrie’s mother on the morning of the disappearance. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the video was recovered from residual data in backend systems and shows the suspect tampering with the camera.
Patel shared the images on social media, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between the FBI, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and private sector partners to recover any lost footage. Savannah Guthrie, the Today show host and daughter of Nancy, posted the FBI images on Instagram with a heartfelt message: "We believe she is still alive. Bring her home." She has previously expressed the family’s willingness to pay a ransom for her mother’s safe return, following reports of ransom letters demanding millions in cryptocurrency sent to a Bitcoin address, with two deadlines given.
Family and Public Response
The case has garnered significant public attention, with Savannah Guthrie actively appealing for information and support. In earlier statements, she reiterated the family’s commitment to securing Nancy’s release, despite fears from some experts, such as a former FBI agent, who have expressed concerns about Nancy’s safety. The investigation continues to involve multiple agencies, with no suspects currently in custody as the search intensifies.
