A months-long investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has taken another turn—this time in the form of a multimillion-dollar legal claim.
Carlos Palazuelos, who was detained and later released during the investigation earlier this year, has filed a notice of claim against the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Chris Nanos and Detective Earl Gieron. Two others—Daniel and Josefina Maddoz—are also included in the filing, with the three collectively seeking $3.25 million.
According to the notice of claim, per ABC15 on Thursday, July 30, the family alleges investigators publicly connected Palazuelos to the high-profile case despite never charging him with a crime. The filing also argues authorities lacked probable cause to detain him and are seeking compensation for what they describe as lasting reputational and emotional harm.
Palazuelos’ attorney has also called on the sheriff’s office to publicly clear his client’s name, arguing that the family continues to live with the fallout from the investigation months later.
The legal filing marks the latest development in the search for Guthrie, who disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home on January 31. Despite months of searching, the 84-year-old has not been found, and the investigation remains ongoing.
READ MORE: Savannah Guthrie Shares ‘Very Specific’ Plea to Mom Nancy’s Kidnappers Ahead of 6-Month Anniversary of Her Vanishing
Earlier this week, Nancy’s daughter, Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, shared another emotional video on Instagram pleading with anyone who knows what happened to come forward. “It has been months since our mom was taken from us,” Savannah said. “Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end.”
She also addressed the person she believes knows where her mother is, saying, “So I’m asking you, begging you to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her.”
Savannah ended her message with one final appeal: “I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing…Please make the right choice.”
Under Arizona law, the county has 60 days to respond to the notice of claim before it can be considered rejected.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
