Two Arizona men detained during the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie have filed a legal notice of claim against the Pima County sheriff and a detective, alleging wrongful detention, property damage, and emotional harm.
The Nancy Guthrie Investigation Claim was submitted by attorneys representing Carlos Palazuelos, Daniel Maddox, and Daniel’s mother, Josefina Maddox. The filing is a required legal step before a possible lawsuit against public officials in Arizona.
According to the notice, Palazuelos was detained by authorities on February 10 during the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie. He was later released without being charged with any crime.
The claim alleges that deputies detained Palazuelos at gunpoint and held him for approximately seven to eight hours without probable cause. Attorneys argue that the detention caused physical, emotional, and reputational harm.
The filing also claims that Palazuelos’ home was extensively searched and damaged during the operation. His lawyers maintain that he had no involvement in the disappearance and should not have been publicly linked to the case.
According to the notice, statements made by the sheriff’s office and a social media post from Sheriff Chris Nanos contributed to public suspicion that Palazuelos was connected to the investigation. The claim states that these statements damaged his reputation despite the absence of criminal charges.
The Nancy Guthrie Investigation Claim also includes allegations from Daniel Maddox. The notice states that Maddox was handcuffed inside his home and detained for several hours while authorities executed a search warrant.
Attorneys claim that heavily armed officers entered the residence and ordered Maddox to the ground at gunpoint after he left his room to investigate a loud noise. The filing says he was then held under guard near a vehicle for several hours.
Lawyers argue that the detention caused significant emotional and psychological distress. They also contend that Maddox was wrongfully restrained despite not being charged with any offense.
Josefina Maddox, the owner of the property that was searched, is also listed in the notice. She alleges that the residence suffered damage during the execution of the search warrant.
The legal filing seeks financial settlements before any formal lawsuit is filed. Attorneys proposed a settlement of $2.5 million for Palazuelos, $500,000 for Daniel Maddox, and $250,000 for Josefina Maddox.
The notice names Sheriff Chris Nanos and a detective as recipients of the claim. It also identifies Pima County and the sheriff’s department as entities that could face future legal action.
The sheriff’s department declined to comment directly on the claims, citing potential litigation. However, officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The department said no one has been officially cleared in the case and that investigators continue to pursue all credible leads.
Sheriff Nanos recently stated that a judge approved the search warrant after investigators presented evidence and information gathered during the inquiry. He said law enforcement followed legal procedures and acted based on what they believed was sufficient probable cause.
Authorities continue to investigate the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her home near Tucson on February 1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has classified the case as a kidnapping for ransom.
The Nancy Guthrie Investigation Claim comes as investigators continue analyzing DNA and digital evidence gathered during the search. Officials have described the review process as complex and time-consuming.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has publicly appealed for information about her mother’s whereabouts. She recently released a video message asking anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward and help investigators.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the legal dispute surrounding the detentions adds another dimension to a case that has drawn national attention and remains unsolved six months after her disappearance.
