BREAKING: Person of Interest Identified in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance, Authorities Probe Bitcoin Connection
Law enforcement officials have named Carlos Alberto Palazuelos Jr. as a person of interest in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie. Palazuelos, a resident of Rio Rico, Arizona, who has worked as a driver for FedEx and DoorDash, was apprehended during a traffic stop near the U.S.-Mexico border. Investigators have reportedly uncovered a digital forensic link connecting Palazuelos to the “Bitcoin https://t.co/FlqEAS6q3F characters”—a reference to the alphanumeric cryptocurrency wallet address included in ransom demands sent to the Guthrie family and media outlets.
Detention and Digital Evidence
Palazuelos was detained by Pima County Sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents in Rio Rico, approximately 12 miles north of the Nogales port of entry. The operation involved a search of his residence and vehicle, where authorities seized multiple electronic devices. While Palazuelos was initially released without formal charges, sources close to the investigation indicate that the scrutiny centers on the specific Bitcoin wallet address used in the ransom notes.
The ransom demands, which were sent to TMZ and local Tucson television stations, solicited payment in Bitcoin in exchange for information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts. Cyber-forensics experts have been analyzing the blockchain ledger for activity, recently noting a small transaction that may have allowed investigators to trace the wallet’s metadata or IP history back to devices associated with Palazuelos.
Suspect’s Defense and Family Objections
Despite the digital link alleged by investigators, Palazuelos and his family vehemently deny any involvement in the abduction. Following his release, Palazuelos spoke to reporters, stating that his detention was a case of mistaken identity. “I didn’t do anything… I’m innocent,” he said, explaining that while he works as a delivery driver in the Tucson area and may have delivered packages to the Guthrie neighborhood, he has no connection to the victim.
His mother-in-law, identified as Josefina, defended him in interviews, asserting that Palazuelos was at her home in Rio Rico during the critical timeframe when Nancy Guthrie disappeared. “He is a good man, a good father, and has no criminal record,” she stated, challenging the validity of the law enforcement operation that she described as an “invasion” of their property based on a false tip.
Background of the Case
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills north of Tucson on the morning of February 1, 2026. Authorities believe she was taken against her will between 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., noting that her pacemaker ceased transmitting data during that window. Disturbing surveillance footage released by the FBI shows a masked individual approaching her front door, tampering with a Ring camera, and utilizing a distinct “Bite Lite” flashlight often used by mechanics or delivery personnel.
The case has drawn national attention, with Savannah Guthrie and her siblings issuing emotional pleas for their mother’s safe return and expressing willingness to pay the ransom. The identification of Palazuelos marks the most significant development since the release of the suspect footage, as investigators race to determine if the delivery driver is the masked man or an opportunist involved in the financial extortion attempt.
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