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A man questioned by the FBI in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has been released, sources indicate.
The New York Times has identified the individual only as Carlos. He was taken into custody during a traffic stop in Tucson but released a few hours later. According to Carlos’s mother-in-law, he was delivering food at the time of his detention, which coincided with a search of her home by authorities.
“I hope they find the real suspect because it’s definitely not me,” Carlos told reporters gathered outside his mother-in-law’s residence in Rio Rico, located approximately 65 miles from Guthrie’s home, north of Tucson.
Carlos’s detention followed the FBI’s release of video footage and surveillance images capturing a person near Guthrie’s home around her disappearance on January 31. Concerns were raised when Guthrie did not show up at a friend’s house for virtual church services the next morning.
While Tucson’s KOLD television station has fully named Carlos, CrimeOnline has opted not to do so to ensure his safety, given that he was not charged with any crime and has since been released. His mother-in-law has also asserted that Carlos had no involvement in the alleged kidnapping.
“They had somebody give a tip that the lady was in my house,” the woman said. “I told them you can go in and search my house; there is nobody there. I have nothing to hide.”
She said Carlos was driving her daughter’s vehicle when police stopped him and took him into custody and said she told them Carlos doesn’t own any of the clothing or other items seen in surveillance footage.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told KOLD that a medical helicopter that left the Rio Rico area Tuesday night had nothing to do with the case.
In addition to locating Guthrie, police are investigating two ransom notes that were reportedly sent to local news outlets. One of the notes demanded millions in Bitcoin in exchange for Guthrie’s return.
As of Wednesday, officials have not named any suspects, and no arrests have been made.