Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case, Luke Daley’s Attorney Denies Involvement, Investigation Ongoing

The kidnapping case of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been witnessing new developments every day. Notably, an individual was questioned in the matter last week. The man’s identity has now been revealed as Luke Daley. The 37-year-old was reportedly detained for questioning on February 13, 2026, and was removed from his house along with his 77-year-old mother. Luke and his mother’s residence is located two miles away from Nancy Guthrie’s house.

Luke Daley’s identity was first confirmed by a Tucson criminal defense lawyer, Chris Scileppi. The news arrives at a time when the authorities have taken DNA evidence from three different places, including Nancy Guthrie’s house and a black glove that was found two miles from Nancy’s residence. According to the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the DNA will be uploaded to a database called CODIS, which will disclose the match to someone who has been involved in some criminal activity or had their DNA taken from a crime scene.

Luke Daley’s attorney denies his involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s case

As mentioned, Luke Daley’s attorney, Chris Scileppi, initially revealed that his client was questioned in relation to Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping case. While speaking to 12News on February 18, 2026 (ET), Chris said that the action taken by the authorities was based on two search warrants issued on February 13, 2026 (ET). Chris revealed that Luke’s mother was also detained and continued by saying:

“Neither Mr. Daley nor his mother were arrested in connection to this case or any other. Mr. Daley has no link whatsoever to Nancy Guthrie and has no information related to her kidnapping. Like the entire Tucson community, both Mr. Daley and his mother are hopeful that Nancy will be returned to her family unharmed.”

Luke Daley has been reportedly involved in some criminal activities

While Luke Daley has been questioned in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping case, other details related to his alleged involvement in criminal activities have emerged now. According to 12News, he was in prison for a year between 2019 and 2020 on charges related to drugs, criminal damage, and flight from law enforcement convictions. Luke Daley was taken into custody on drug distribution charges in 2022, following which he was sentenced to probation for four years. Luke’s latest legal issue happened in 2025, when he was once again taken into custody on fentanyl and gun possession charges.

Pima County Sheriff opens up on the circumstances that led to the questioning of Luke Daley

The authorities followed certain steps before detaining Luke Daley and his mother. Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos, told 12News on February 17, 2026 (ET) that Luke Daley was being monitored by the authorities. Chris added that they made a traffic stop on Luke and his mother after they left their houses. Chris mentioned that they had to search Luke and his mother’s houses, as per the court order. Chris explained that in such cases, individuals cannot be detained, but they can’t be in their house at the same time, although they can be allowed to leave.

Chris was also questioned about whether Luke was being investigated after the questioning. Chris responded by saying that they met with the person of interest, who obeyed the court order, and the man was eventually released. Chris elaborated and said that the process starts with following a lead and confirming that there is a person of interest, who could also be a suspect. He stated that this is followed by a discussion in the command room, where they seek legal advice from a county attorney. Chris continued by saying:

“We share this. We go the US attorney at the FBI command post, same thing, and they come up with a strategy. They say, okay, let’s get a search warrant. So we go to a judge who either agrees with us or doesn’t he signs that warrant. We now have a court order that process goes through the day based on the leave we’re following.”

Nancy Guthrie’s family is seeking help from a non-profit to find her

Nancy Guthrie has been missing since February 1, 2026. While the US investigators are doing their best to find her, Nancy’s family has reportedly approached a Mexican non-profit called The Searching Mothers of Sonora to get more help in the matter. The non-profit assists in finding missing individuals. On the other hand, the FBI has also contacted the Mexican authorities, as they believe that Nancy might have been transported across the border. However, the Mexican authorities have nothing to prove for now that Nancy was taken across the border.

What are your thoughts about Luke Daley being questioned by the authorities and his alleged involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping case? Let us know.

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