A delivery driver recently found himself at the center of a high-profile investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie. After being released from custody, Carlos Palazeulos vehemently declared his innocence.
Frustration was palpable in Palazeulos’ voice as he recounted the ordeal to reporters gathered outside his home in Rio Rico, Arizona. “They held me against my will,” he exclaimed, “and didn’t even read me my rights for two hours.” His detention was based on suspicions of involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s alleged kidnapping, but Palazeulos maintains he had no part in it.
When questioned about any prior knowledge of Nancy, Palazeulos was clear: he had never heard of her. He further alleged that he was under police surveillance while making his delivery rounds. “They told me to stop moving. What am I doing here? I didn’t do anything. To be honest, I’m innocent,” he insisted.
Palazeulos also confessed ignorance regarding Savannah Guthrie’s public persona, claiming he doesn’t follow the news. He added that during his detention, officers did not bother to question him about the case.
‘They told me to stop moving. What the f*** am I doing here? I didn’t do anything to be honest, I’m innocent.’
Palazeulos added that he had no idea who Savannah was either, saying he did not watch the news and that officers had not asked him any questions.
Authorities also carried out a search of his home near Interstate 19, he was released shortly after 1am local time.
‘They told me I was being detained for kidnapping. I asked them, “Kidnapping of who?”‘ he added.
Carlos Palazeulos, 36, aired his frustration after he was detained for allegedly kidnapping the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie last night
The Today Show host’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was taken from her $1 million home in the Catalina Hills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, in the early morning hours of February 1
He continued: ‘I hope they find the suspect, cause I’m not it – they better do their job and find the suspect that did it so they can clear my name.’
Palazeulos also added that while he was in custody police searched his home, where he lives with his wife, children and in-laws.
He claimed that officers who raided the address broke down his front door and his garage doors.
Federal authorities were inundated with tips and are looking at more than ‘one person of interest’ after they released horrifying doorbell camera footage yesterday.
An armed figure wearing a ski mask and black latex gloves was spotted tampering with Nancy’s Nest doorbell camera in the early hours of February 1.
As officials continue their search, TMZ reported that a Bitcoin account referenced in ransom letters sent to media outlets has saw some activity after a deadline passed.
The news website is one of three outlets that received alleged ransom notes in connection with Nancy’s abduction.
Unidentified sources involved in the investigation told the outlet that officers believe the ransom notes were written by the kidnapper.
A masked figure on Nancy’s doorstep in the early hours of her disappearance
The individual stares right into the lens while holding some plants ripped from outside the Arizona home
Sources said the letters referenced specific damage to Nancy’s home and other details that have not been made public.
Nancy was last seen entering her home in Tucson on the evening of January 31 after having dinner with her daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
The next morning, she was reported missing after failing to attend a virtual church service with friends, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
Since then, law enforcement has continued to comb over the home, which sits on a large lot on a street with no lights, while Savannah and her two siblings, Anne and Camron, plead for help in finding their mother.
Annie and Cioni realized she was missing around 11.10am on February 1, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said.
Savannah and her siblings, Camron and Annie, in a video they shared online asking for help
They reported her disappearance to police at 12.03pm. Her phone, wallet, vital daily medications and car were still at her Catalina Foothills home.
Cioni said he saw his mother-in-law enter her home through the garage before he drove off the night before at around 9.45pm MT.
Investigators found drops of blood on Nancy’s front porch – that were later confirmed to be hers – and that her doorbell camera was disconnected at around 1.45am.
Less than 30 minutes later, her security camera detected movement. Her pacemaker stopped transmitting data to her Apple Watch and phone shortly afterwards, suggesting she had been taken out of the devices’ range.
Nancy requires medication every 24 hours and it is unclear if whoever abducted her has ensured she has access to her medication.
Bar the video released by officials on Tuesday, there has been little new information about the case.
