Man detained, then released, after questioning in Nancy Guthrie case
KiMi RobinsonA person has been detained for questioning and later released by law enforcement in Arizona in connection with Nancy Guthrie's alleged kidnapping.
"Earlier today, Pima County Sheriff’s Department deputies detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson. The subject is currently being questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation," reads a statement obtained by USA TODAY the evening of Feb. 10. "Additional information will be released as it becomes available."
ABC News first reported the news just after 7 p.m. local time in Arizona, citing an unnamed law enforcement official.
The following morning, on Feb. 11, the sheriff's office confirmed the unidentified man was released without charges. "One adult male detained Tuesday afternoon for questioning has been released after speaking with investigators. This detention was part of follow-up on incoming leads," the statement read. "As with any investigation, we do not release the identities of individuals who are detained and later released without charges."
Man taken in for questioning wants to 'clear my name'
A man named Carlos told reporters outside of his Rio Rico, Arizona, home that had been searched by law enforcement that he was held for questioning for several hours.
The delivery driver told The New York Times, "I hope they get the suspect, because I’m not it."
Speaking with CNN at his home on Feb. 11, Carlos said he wants "to clear my name. That’s all I want."
Man was detained after Savannah Guthrie asked for help in identifying possible suspect
The Feb. 10 detainment came just hours after FBI Director Kash Patel released surveillance photos from Guthrie's doorbell camera, showing an alleged suspect in the case. The masked individual, described by Patel as "an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door the morning of her disappearance," was not identified by authorities.
Savannah Guthrie also shared these visuals on Instagram, writing, "Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home."
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has not been seen since Saturday, Jan. 31. She was first reported missing the following day, on Feb. 1. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has said they believe she was taken from her home outside of Tucson against her will.
The Guthrie family has posted several videos on social media over the past week, with Savannah Guthrie and her siblings Annie and Camron Guthrie pleading for their mother's return. In a Feb. 7 video, they said they "will pay" for their mother's return.
Days after Guthrie went missing, several media outlets reported receiving purported ransom notes, which have not been publicly verified, that made demands of the family. According to the FBI, one ransom note that was sent to the outlets included a first deadline of Feb. 5 and a second deadline of Feb. 9.
"We believe our mom is still out there," Savannah Guthrie said in a Feb. 9 video. "We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly, around the clock, trying to bring her home, trying to find her. She was taken, and we don't know where."
The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI have yet to identify any suspects or persons of interest in the case. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie's return. Law enforcement has asked anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov, the Pima County Sheriff's Department (520-351-4900) or 88-CRIME.