Arizona men allege wrongful arrest in Guthrie kidnapping investigation

Lawyers for two Arizona men detained during the search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, have filed a notice of claim seeking $3.25 million from Pima County officials over allegations of wrongful arrest, reputational harm and property damage.

The notice, dated Monday and obtained by NBC affiliate KVOA of Tucson, is a precursor to a possible lawsuit. It is addressed to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and a detective, and also lists the county and sheriff’s department as subjects of potential future claims.

Carlos Palazuelos was detained Feb. 10 for questioning and later released without charges as authorities searched for whoever kidnapped Guthrie, 84, who went missing from her home near Tucson early Feb. 1. The FBI has said her disappearance is being investigated as a kidnapping for ransom.

The claim says deputies “arrested Carlos at gunpoint and held him without probable cause for approximately seven to eight hours” and did so publicly. It says Palazuelos is innocent, that his home was “ransacked,” and that he suffered physical, emotional and reputational harm.

The notice also says Nanos posted on social media that a person had been arrested and that “the subject is currently being questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation.” The claim alleges that the post, along with sheriff’s office statements, made Palazuelos appear to be a suspect publicly.

“Despite requests by undersigned counsel, Sheriff Nanos and the PCSD have refused to retract their statements or to make clear that Carlos is innocent and had no involvement in the Guthrie case,” the notice says.

A man who identified himself as Palazuelos, a delivery driver, spoke to Telemundo outside a home in Rio Rico, about 60 miles south of Tucson, in connection with the still-unsolved case. He said at the time that he was not involved.

The notice also names Daniel Maddox, who it says was handcuffed at a searched home owned by his mother, Josefina Maddox. According to the claim, men in military gear pointed guns at Maddox and ordered him to lie on the floor in a hallway after he left his room to investigate a loud noise. He was then held “under guard” at a van for several hours, the notice says.

The claim says Maddox’s detention “was wrongful and has caused him significant physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering.” Josefina Maddox alleges damage to her property.

The lawyers offered to settle Palazuelos’ claims for $2.5 million, Daniel Maddox’s claims for $500,000 and Josefina Maddox’s claims for $250,000. The sheriff’s department did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment, and a message seeking comment was also sent to county government.

The legal action comes as the investigation reaches the six-month mark. The Guardian reported that authorities have found blood spatters at Nancy Guthrie’s home, but no further trace of her has been found and no suspects have emerged.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday: “The analysis of DNA and digital evidence has been underway for the past six months. This work is complex and time-intensive, but investigators continue to pursue every credible lead.” Nanos said this week that the case remains active and “we’re working this as hard as we can.”

Savannah Guthrie released a video Monday appearing to address whoever is responsible for her mother’s disappearance. “Our family is in agony,” she said. “The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way. 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.”

The Guardian reported that the Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie being found. The FBI has offered an additional $100,000 reward for conclusive information and has said it is looking for a man about 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build.