On February 11, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on Wednesday that significant progress has been made in the search operation for the missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. Investigators are currently focusing on multiple Persons of Interest who may be connected to the case.
Patel attributed the breakthrough in the past 36 to 48 hours to the FBI’s technical capabilities and partnerships. In an interview with Fox News, he revealed that law enforcement agencies legally accessed private company systems to “dig up” data that is typically considered deleted or unreadable.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, was kidnapped and disappeared on the night of January 31st.
Previously, the FBI released footage showing a masked man appearing at Nancy’s doorstep and interfering with surveillance cameras on the night of her disappearance. Patel emphasized that the investigation is currently in the stage of screening Persons of Interest, stating, “In an investigation, you are considered a Person of Interest until you are ruled out or found to be the actual culprit.”
The man who was briefly detained in Rio Rico, Arizona, and later released has been confirmed to be 36-year-old Carlos Palazuelos. He is a professional driver working for the food delivery platform DoorDash and a courier service company.
Carlos told Fox News that he was taken away during a traffic stop. Investigators questioned him about his recent whereabouts.
He disclosed that investigators showed a photo of a masked suspect to his in-laws, claiming that the person in the video “bears a strong resemblance to him.” However, he stressed that he has no connection to the case, saying, “I may have delivered in that area, but I have never kidnapped anyone.”
When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence, they confiscated his electronic devices.
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker stated on Wednesday on the Fox & Friends First program that the release of the suspect’s video and photos was a significant turning point in this case.
Regarding Carlos’ release, Parker explained that after obtaining a large number of clues, it is not uncommon for brief detentions followed by the exclusion of suspects. She expressed “absolute confidence” in bringing the perpetrator to justice, stating that it is only a matter of time.