Nancy Guthrie case: Ex-con Luke Daley opens up about brief detention, denies ties; ‘Wants Nancy home’

In his first interview with “True Crime Arizona,” he told host Brianna Whitney, “It wasn’t me. I had nothing to do with this case.”

Daley’s 77-year-old mother was also interviewed by police during the investigation. Many online have speculated that Daley, who has a history of drug and weapons offenses and was arrested last year, is the masked man who broke into the jail. Nancy’s Returned to China on February 1st.

Daly dismissed the speculation and urged people not to get caught up in internet theories. “I, like everyone else, just want Nancy to come home and stay safe,” he said. “But that being said, I have nothing to do with this case,” he said, adding that he didn’t know who was involved but would tell investigators if he did.

Daley and his mother were among a handful of people detained since Nancy disappeared from their Tucson home and were released after hours of questioning. Daley’s Range Rover was also impounded by police, but it’s unclear whether it has been returned.

His past criminal record raised concerns about his detention. Daley served 18 months in prison between 2019 and 2020 for drug solicitation and evading law enforcement, and was convicted of drug trafficking in 2022 and received four years of probation. In 2025, he was arrested for possession of a firearm and fentanyl but was allowed to remain at large.

Also read: Nancy Guthrie Update: Neighbors issue stern warning to media, candlelight vigil planned for missing 84-year-old

Dailey and his mother were among the few people detained since Nancy disappeared from their Tucson home, and the two were released after hours of questioning. Police also impounded Daley’s Range Rover, but it’s unclear whether it has been returned.

His past criminal record raised additional concerns while in custody. Daley served 18 months in prison between 2019 and 2020 for drug solicitation and evading law enforcement. In 2022, he was also convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to four years of probation. In 2025, he was arrested for possession of a firearm and fentanyl, but a judge allowed him to remain free on bail.

Additionally, police collected DNA evidence from Nancy’s home, but there were no matches linking Daley to the case, although his genetic material may have been in the database.