Who is Carlos?
- Maria F. Gonzalez
- Feb 13
- 4 min read
The man detained and questioned in southern Arizona in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie (mother of TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie) is identified only as 'Carlos' in available reports; no last name or additional personal identifiers have been publicly released by authorities. He was pulled over during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona (about 55 miles south of Tucson, near the U.S.-Mexico border), on the evening of February 10, 2026, and detained for questioning by the Pima County Sheriff's Department with FBI involvement.
Investigators reportedly placed him on their radar beforehand using electronic tools, such as cell phone data and traffic monitoring, potentially linking him to the case following the release of FBI surveillance footage showing a masked individual at Guthrie's home.
Carlos works as a delivery person in the Tucson area.
After the stop, he was held at the scene for several hours without immediate explanation before being informed it related to a kidnapping, at which point he asked, "Kidnapping of who?" That is suspicious right there. Which one?
A search warrant was executed on his home near Interstate 19 and Camino Agosto in Rio Rico that night (though his mother-in-law, the homeowner, claimed deputies entered without a warrant and broke the door while her son was inside).
Authorities also searched his vehicle, but details on what, if anything, was found have not been disclosed.
Carlos was questioned for several more hours before being released without charges early on February 11, 2026, and he faces no ongoing restrictions from law enforcement.
In interviews with local media following his release, Carlos expressed shock at the detention, stated he had no knowledge of Nancy Guthrie or her disappearance, and emphatically proclaimed his innocence, saying he had "nothing to do with" the case.
He also spoke to reporters outside his home and has publicly requested an apology from authorities.
As of February 13, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing, and the investigation is ongoing with no confirmed suspects or arrests.
What we know:
Is Carlos a U.S. citizen?
No, there is no publicly available information indicating that Carlos (full name reported in various sources as Carlos Alfredo Palazuelos or Carlos Palazuelos, age 36) is not a U.S. citizen. In fact, nothing in news reports, interviews, or official statements about his detention and release in connection with the Nancy Guthrie disappearance suggests he is anything other than a U.S. citizen or lawful resident.Key points from coverage:
He lives in Rio Rico, Arizona (near the U.S.-Mexico border but within the U.S.), works as a delivery driver (possibly for services like FedEx, DoorDash, or GLS) in the Tucson area, is married (his wife was reportedly driving the vehicle during the traffic stop), and resides with his mother-in-law (Josefina Maddox) in a home there.
His mother-in-law publicly defended him in media interviews (e.g., to CNN), describing him as a "good guy" with no criminal record or history of violence.
He was detained during a routine traffic stop, questioned for hours, had his home and vehicle searched (via warrant), and was released without charges or restrictions. He spoke freely to multiple U.S. media outlets (including ABC15, Fox News, Telemundo Arizona, and others) afterward, expressing shock, proclaiming innocence, and requesting an apology—actions fully consistent with someone exercising rights as a citizen or legal resident.
One speculative Y post mentioned "There is currently no confirmation regarding his immigration status," but this appears to be unsubstantiated conjecture amid the fast-moving case, not based on any reported facts. No mainstream sources (e.g., NYT, CNN, Fox, local Arizona outlets) have raised immigration status as a factor, which they typically would if relevant (especially given the border proximity and common narratives in similar cases).
If immigration status were an issue or had played any role in the investigation/detention, it almost certainly would have been noted in the extensive reporting—particularly since the case involves federal involvement (FBI) and occurred near the border. The absence of any such mention strongly implies it is not a relevant detail here.
The investigation remains ongoing with no confirmed suspects, and Carlos was cleared of involvement after questioning.
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Who does Carlos work for as a delivery driver?
Carlos Palazuelos, the man detained and released in connection with Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, works as a delivery driver in the Tucson area. Reports from his interviews and family statements indicate he delivers packages (not primarily food), specifically for GLS (a parcel delivery service, often contracted for logistics and package handling).In multiple accounts:
He told reporters (including in a Fox News interview and to ABC15): "I work in Tucson for GLS. I might have delivered a package to her house, but I never kidnapped anybody."
This is echoed across sources like Newsweek, The Daily Beast, New York Post, and others, where he describes his job as delivering packages in the Tucson region, and speculated that police targeted him partly because he could have made a delivery to Guthrie's home (though he doesn't specifically recall one).
There are some conflicting or speculative mentions in media and social posts:
A few early reports or family comments (e.g., his mother-in-law to CNN) suggested "possibly for FedEx" or general delivery work.
Some social media and headlines labeled him a "DoorDash driver" (implying food/grocery delivery), with claims he was pulled over while making a DoorDash food delivery with his wife. DoorDash has reportedly commented or "spoken out" in some coverage, but this appears inconsistent with his own statements.
One X post referenced him as a UPS/contract driver with a white van.
The most consistent and direct detail—from Palazuelos himself in post-release interviews—is that he works for GLS delivering packages. No official employer confirmation has come from law enforcement or the company itself in public reports, as the focus has been on his detention/release rather than his employment specifics. He was cleared with no charges, and the investigation continues without named suspects.
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