FBI release of Nancy Guthrie doorbell footage triggers 4,000 tips to Pima County Sheriff

TUCSON, ARIZONA: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says newly released footage showing a person tampering with Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera has triggered a surge of public response. Since February 1, authorities have received nearly 18,000 calls, with about 4,000 pouring in over the past 24 hours alone, according to sheriff’s spokesperson Angelica Carrillo. Investigators are now working through the flood of information as they intensify the search for answers.

Nancy, 84, was dropped off at her home outside Tucson on the night of January 31 and reported missing around midday the next day, February 1.

FBI thanks media for thousands of tips

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI continue to follow up on all leads. “We thank the media and the public for the thousands of tips submitted through the various tip lines. PCSD alone has received nearly 18,000 calls since February 1 — more than 4,000 in the past 24 hours,” spokesperson Angelica Carrillo said.

Since the February 10 release of photos and videos showing an individual tampering with Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell the night before she was reported missing, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has received more than 4,000 calls. The FBI reiterated its thanks and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery.

Following the initial tips, investigators detained a man from Rio Rico on February 10 but released him after questioning.

The man, identified as Carlos Palazuelos, maintained his innocence, saying he only learned about the case hours earlier. “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. Because I’m done.”

Carrillo urged the public to continue submitting actionable information via 1-800-CALL-FBI or the department’s nonemergency line at 520-351-4900. She noted that the FBI is handling all matters related to ransom notes or communications with the Guthrie family.

Investigators checked Carlos’ mother-in-law’s home

Pima County Sheriff’s Department detained a man for questioning in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case in Rio Rico. His mother-in-law confirmed investigators took her son-in-law, Carlos Palazuelos, in for questioning.

 Carlos said he was driving his Nissan Rogue on February 10 in Rio Rico, about 50 miles south of Tucson, when he noticed a law enforcement vehicle following him. “They were following me,” he told ABC Phoenix affiliate KNXV. “Once I saw they were following me, I pulled over. They didn’t even have to make a traffic stop. I got out of the car, and they arrested me as soon as I stepped out.”

Authorities did not immediately tell him why he was being detained. An FBI agent and a Santa Cruz County deputy sheriff informed him he was being held for kidnapping. “I asked them, ‘Kidnapping of who?’” he said, and they then told him about Nancy Guthrie. After several hours in custody and a thorough search of his vehicle, Carlos was released. 

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the detention, saying, “Deputies detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson” and that he was “questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation.”

A woman identifying herself as Carlos’ mother-in-law told KNXV that investigators, armed with a search warrant, swarmed her home Tuesday night after receiving a tip that Nancy Guthrie was inside. “I told them, ‘You can go in and search my house,’” she said. “There’s nobody there.”