Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Delivery Man Questioned, Then Released – FBI Releases New Footage

A man detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has been released, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The development comes as investigators continue to search for Guthrie, whose disappearance from her Arizona home has gripped the nation and prompted a widespread investigation involving local and federal agencies.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the release of the individual, who was taken into custody during a traffic stop south of Tucson. However, officials have not disclosed the man’s identity or the specific reasons for his detention and subsequent release. The FBI, which is assisting in the investigation, referred all inquiries to the sheriff’s office.

According to a report from KNXV-TV, the man identified himself as Carlos and claimed he was wrongly suspected of involvement in Guthrie’s disappearance. He stated that he and his wife were pulled over by police after noticing they were being followed. Carlos maintained his innocence, telling reporters, “I hope they get the suspect because I’m not it.” His account remains unverified.

Simultaneously, law enforcement officials concluded a court-authorised search of a property in Rio Rico, Arizona, on Tuesday night. The search, which lasted several hours, was conducted as part of the ongoing investigation into Guthrie’s whereabouts. Details regarding the findings of the search have not been released.

The case gained significant attention after the FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked individual approaching Guthrie’s home on the night of her disappearance, February 1. The footage depicts the person wearing a ski mask, a backpack, and what appears to be a handgun holster. The individual is seen attempting to obscure the doorbell camera with a plant and their hand. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the individual appeared to have “tampered with the camera,” but it remains unclear whether a firearm was actually present.

Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home on January 31 and reported missing the following day. Authorities have indicated that Guthrie is in good mental health but has limited mobility and requires medication. Concerns have been raised about her well-being due to her medical needs.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made public appeals for their mother’s safe return, expressing their willingness to pay a ransom. The family’s pleas have resonated with the public and amplified the urgency of the investigation.

The investigation is focused on determining whether Guthrie was abducted and, if so, identifying the perpetrator and securing her safe return. Investigators have confirmed that blood found on Guthrie’s front porch matched her DNA, and the disconnection of the doorbell camera suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal activity at the residence.

Rio Rico, a town of approximately 20,000 residents located about an hour’s drive south of Tucson and 15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, is the focus of much of the investigative activity. The proximity to the border adds a layer of complexity to the case, although authorities have not indicated any connection to cross-border criminal activity.

The release of the surveillance footage has provided investigators with their first visual evidence of a potential suspect. Former FBI agent Katherine Schweit noted that even with the individual’s face obscured, the footage could yield valuable clues, such as body type, gait, and potential identifying features. “This will get the phone ringing for lots of potential leads,” she said.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, with law enforcement agencies continuing to pursue all available leads. The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are urging anyone with information about Guthrie’s disappearance to come forward.