Carlos Palazuelos released after questioning in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

A man who identified himself as Carlos Palazuelos was released early Wednesday after being detained for several hours as investigators intensified efforts to find missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie. The episode brought new attention to a case that has drawn national interest, as authorities executed a court-authorized search in the border-area community of Rio Rico and continued reviewing newly surfaced surveillance images.

Palazuelos has not been charged. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that the person who spoke to reporters is the same individual detained during the traffic stop, and key details about what prompted the stop remain unclear.

What happened in Rio Rico

Investigators carried out a search at a property in Rio Rico, Arizona, as part of the ongoing inquiry into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Officials said the search concluded at about 3:00 a.m. ET (around 1:00 a.m. local time), with the investigation still active afterward.

Palazuelos said the search of his home was conducted under a warrant. He also said he was stopped while riding in a vehicle driven by his wife and detained for hours before being released. He maintained he is innocent and said he had not heard of the alleged kidnapping before being questioned.

Carlos Palazuelos detained and released

Palazuelos described being taken into custody after a traffic stop south of Tucson and later released without charges. He said investigators took his phone and questioned him extensively. In interviews outside his home, he suggested investigators focused on a resemblance between his eyes and the eyes of a masked person shown in surveillance material tied to the case.

Authorities have said the detained person was not charged, and statements from law enforcement left open whether the detained person was the same person seen in the surveillance images.

The images investigators are working from

The stepped-up activity followed the release of surveillance photos and video showing a masked individual approaching a home, appearing to conceal or obstruct a doorbell camera, and carrying gear that investigators have described as consistent with an armed suspect. The footage shows the person moving close to the camera, attempting to block its view, and placing yard debris in front of it.

Officials have indicated they are examining the materials for leads and have said they are looking for more than one person of interest. The surveillance material has become a central reference point for tips, comparisons, and follow-up interviews.

Why the detention matters to the case

Detentions like this can reflect a surge of lead-chasing when investigators believe they may be close to identifying a suspect or ruling someone out. Even if a stop begins as a routine traffic matter, investigators can use the encounter to verify identity, gather basic information, and check devices or vehicles when supported by legal process.

In this case, the overnight search and the detention underscored that investigators are actively working potential links near the U.S.-Mexico border corridor south of Tucson. For the public, the rapid cycle—detention, search, release—also highlights how quickly early suspicions can shift when evidence does not support an arrest.

What happens next

Officials have not announced an arrest or named a suspect. The investigation is expected to continue focusing on:

• Forensic and digital review tied to the Rio Rico search and any devices obtained under legal authority

• Tip triage related to the newly public surveillance imagery

• Efforts to establish a precise timeline for Nancy Guthrie’s last confirmed movements and contacts

If the surveillance material continues to generate actionable tips, investigators may conduct additional interviews and targeted searches. If leads do not pan out, attention may return to reconstructing the earliest hours of the disappearance and identifying any verified vehicle or delivery activity connected to the area.

Sources consulted: Associated Press; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Pima County Sheriff’s Department; CNN