Arizona Man Detained in Nancy Guthrie Case Speaks Out, Denies Involvement

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, remains active more than a month after she vanished from her Tucson, Arizona, home. Authorities say no one has been charged in connection with her presumed kidnapping.

Arizona Man Speaks Out After SWAT Raid

Luke Daley, 37, is speaking publicly for the first time after he and his 77-year-old mother were detained during a SWAT raid at their Tucson home on Feb. 13. The home is located about two miles from where Nancy disappeared.

Daley was held for several hours and later released without charges. In an interview with “True Crime Arizona” host Briana Whitney on March 2, Daley strongly denied any involvement.

“It’s not me. I don’t see the resemblance of it looking like me. Absolutely not. I have nothing to do with this case,” Daley said, referring to online speculation that he resembled a masked suspect seen in surveillance footage.

He said social media comments may have led investigators to focus on him. “Someone says something and then they just go off of it based on no evidence, no truth,” he added.

Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Deputy Chris Scileppi confirmed that Daley and his mother were detained while search warrants were executed but were not arrested and have no known link to the case.

Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

Nancy was last seen on Jan. 31 at 9:50 p.m., when she was dropped off at her Tucson home after dinner.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 1, a masked individual was captured on doorbell camera footage disconnecting the device at 1:47 a.m. At 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker app disconnected from her cellphone — a key digital clue for investigators.

Her family called 911 shortly after noon on Feb. 1 when she failed to attend a virtual church service.

Authorities later confirmed there were signs of forced entry at the home and that blood found on the porch matched Nancy’s DNA. Investigators believe she was taken against her will.

Suspect Description and Investigation

On Feb. 10, the FBI released surveillance images of a masked man carrying a gun on Nancy’s porch. The suspect is described as a man approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall with an average build. He was seen wearing gloves and a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack, which may have been purchased at Walmart.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has described the case as a targeted kidnapping and said authorities are still working to “save Nancy’s life.”

Investigators have reviewed thousands of hours of surveillance footage and followed up on numerous tips, including video of a vehicle speeding near the area shortly after Nancy was believed to have been taken. Officials have not confirmed whether that footage provided any significant leads.

Arrests in Related Matters

While no one has been charged in connection with Nancy’s disappearance, several individuals have been detained in related or unrelated incidents:

• Derrick Callella was arrested in California for allegedly sending a fraudulent ransom note in an attempt to profit from the case.

• Luke Daley was detained and later released without charges.

• Another man was arrested for DUI after reportedly driving past Nancy’s home multiple times but has not been linked to the abduction.

Sheriff Nanos has also stated that Nancy’s children — Savannah, Annie, and Camron — and their spouses are not suspects.

Family Offers $1 Million Reward

In late February, Savannah Guthrie announced that the family is offering up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery. The FBI is also offering a separate $100,000 reward.

Savannah recently returned to Tucson with her sister Annie to visit their mother’s home for the first time since the disappearance. The family laid flowers at a growing memorial outside the property and thanked the community for its support.

In a public message, Savannah acknowledged the painful uncertainty surrounding her mother’s fate, noting that Nancy, at 84 and in fragile health, requires daily medication. Still, the family says they continue to hope for her safe return.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

As of March 3, 2026, the investigation remains ongoing. Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts are still unknown.