The FBI conducted searches at multiple properties linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman reported missing on February 1, 2026. Authorities focused part of their investigation on a home in Rio Rico, Arizona, where Carlos Palazuelos was staying. Palazuelos was briefly detained for questioning but later released.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC News journalist and Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her residence near Tucson, Arizona. Law enforcement agencies launched an extensive search operation in the rugged desert terrain surrounding the area, combing through roads and public spaces in the Catalina foothills and neighboring regions.
Search efforts reached their 10th day as of February 12, 2026. Authorities requested assistance from neighbors and local residents in looking for any relevant information or video footage. Despite the prolonged search, investigators had not released significant new leads publicly.
The FBI’s involvement indicates the case’s complexity, involving methodical examination of several family properties believed to have connections to the case. Palazuelos’ brief detention occurred during searches of these premises but did not result in any charges.
Search teams included federal agents, local law enforcement, and volunteers who explored multiple terrains, both urban and desert, to find clues. The case remains active, with the FBI emphasizing the ongoing nature of their investigative efforts.
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has drawn national attention given her daughter’s public profile. Savannah Guthrie had spoken publicly about the situation shortly after her mother went missing, urging the community to assist in providing any information.
Law enforcement officials coordinated with local authorities in Arizona, using technology and ground searches to canvass the area. Searches focused not only on immediate residential zones but also extended to remote access roads, wilderness trails, and other locations that persons connected to the case might have frequented.
The public had been informed to remain vigilant and report any sightings or relevant information directly to law enforcement through official channels. Despite the scale of the search and FBI involvement, no arrests or significant breakthroughs had been confirmed as of February 12.
The investigation highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in missing person cases, particularly when they involve elderly individuals and difficult geographic areas like the deserts and foothills surrounding Tucson. The FBI and local law enforcement maintain a collaborative approach, continuing to explore all possible leads and evidence related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
