The sheriff leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie says no one has been permanently ruled out in the case, even as a man who was detained and then released prepares a $3.25 million claim against authorities.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos defended the evidence that led investigators to the man, saying a judge approved the probable cause behind the warrants used in the search. At the same time, he acknowledged that being cleared for now does not close the door forever. «Because you're eliminated doesn't mean you didn't do it,» Nanos said. «It doesn't mean that we can't get more information.»
Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of «Today» co-host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared on Feb. 1. She depends on heart medication, which pushed law enforcement to move quickly in the early days of the investigation. The first publicly identified person detained was Carlos Palazuelos, a delivery driver from Rio Rico, about 60 miles south of Tucson. He was held but never charged. Another man, Luke Daly, was also detained and released days later; he was facing unrelated drug charges at the time.
Nanos said the warrants served in connection with the case were based on information that suggested Guthrie or a suspect might be found at those locations. «We had information that made us believe that there's a potential that Nancy's there, or there's a potential the bad guy's there,» he explained. That evidence was presented to a judge, he said, and the judge approved the search.
But the searches did not produce arrests. «We go in, and now we look at it and go, all right, she's not here,» the sheriff said. He added that the people detained provided alibis and investigators felt comfortable releasing them without charges.
The detention of Palazuelos has led to legal action. A notice of claim, usually a precursor to a lawsuit, alleges that he was targeted without probable cause, arrested without being told why, and held for hours before being released. The filing also alleges that the search warrant was based on «false or baseless evidence» and that the execution of the warrant damaged the home where he and his in-laws live. The warrant itself has not been made public, and Palazuelos is not currently considered a suspect. It seeks $3.25 million.
Nanos said the case remains open and that new evidence could refocus attention on anyone, including people who have already been questioned. He noted that investigators stated early in the case that they did not consider the family to be suspects, but he said that was not a permanent conclusion. «What happens if next week somebody calls and says that a family member did this, and here is how they know it? You know that always opens a door.»
No suspect has been publicly identified in connection with Guthrie's Feb. 1 abduction. The sheriff said investigators are still reviewing DNA, video, and other evidence. «We're not even close to these leads being dried up,» he said. «We'll continue to work them.»
Nanos said he is optimistic the case will be resolved as the analysis continues, and he urged anyone with information to come forward. «We believe, just as the family does, just as Savannah does, somebody knows something,» he said. «We need that person to call us.» The family has also asked anyone with tips to contact the FBI, and an anonymous reward is available through a local crime tip line.