Detained Arizona man speaks out after questioning in Nancy Guthrie case: 'I'm innocent'

TUCSON, ARIZONA: An Arizona man detained in connection with the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie spoke publicly after being released from custody, maintaining that he had no involvement in the case.

The man, who identified himself as Carlos Palazuelos, 36, was stopped south of Tucson on Tuesday, February 10, in the afternoon and held for several hours before being told he was free to go. 

Authorities had confirmed earlier that a person of interest was detained during a traffic stop as part of the ongoing investigation. The detention followed the release of new surveillance images connected to the case.

Detention and release after hours of questioning

Carlos said that he was held by Pima County Sheriff’s deputies from approximately 4 pm until shortly after midnight.

Speaking to ABC15 following his release, he said he was confused about why he was being detained and that he was not initially informed of the reason. 

“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?’” Carlos said.

When told it was in connection with Nancy Guthrie, he responded, “Yeah, that’s her. And I told him, I work in Tucson for GLS. I might have delivered a package to your house, but I never kidnapped anybody. They held me from like 4 pm (local time) to right now.”

Authorities had indicated that a search was being prepared at a location connected to him, which Carlos later identified as his in-laws’ home.

He said investigators ultimately cited limited evidence in their decision to release him.

“Like, they didn’t have, no, it was insufficient evidence. Like, they only had a phone on me. That’s all they had,” he said.

Carlos added that while Pima County deputies told him they were no longer investigating him, other agencies could still seek to speak with him.

“That I’m free to go,” he said. “Yeah. And Pima County, they already cleared me, but the FBI, they might not or something like that.”

He repeatedly denied involvement, stating, “I’m innocent. I’ll let you know that. I didn’t do anything.”

Carlos said that he believed he may have been questioned because a relative told authorities that his eyes resembled those of the masked suspect seen in surveillance footage.

“Until right now, all I know is that they showed my in-law a picture of somebody wearing a mask, or something, and they supposedly looked like my eyes,” he said.

Surveillance images and ongoing investigation

Authorities also released new photos and video footage showing a masked and armed individual outside Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home.

The still images and two video clips showed a person wearing a ski mask, gloves, a zipped jacket, and a backpack standing near the front door of the residence.

FBI Director Kash Patel shared several of the images on social media, marking what officials described as a significant development in the investigation. 

Carlos said that he had not followed news coverage of the disappearance and said he was unaware of Nancy Guthrie or her daughter prior to his detention.

“I didn’t do anything. … I’m innocent,” he said, adding that he was “shocked” by the experience.