Mike Pennel found himself at the center of controversy in April after an ESPN report linked him to the death of a woman whose body was discovered on property he formerly owned in the Dominican Republic.
Pennel quickly dismissed the allegations as “fake news,” while his attorney maintained that the NFL veteran had no connection to or knowledge of the woman.
However, recent developments have added a new layer to the case, raising fresh questions and potentially challenging the earlier narrative. ESPN’s investigation suggests Pennel was acquainted with the woman.
Report points to relationship
Based on interviews with people close to Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche and police records reviewed by the network, the report states that Pennel regularly spent time with her while visiting the Dominican Republic.
According to ESPN’s reporting, they shared moments on Pennel owned property in the Puerto Plata resort region until selling it in 2025.
“NFL veteran Michael Pennel Jr. had an ongoing relationship with a young woman whose body was found on a property he owned when she went missing,” the ESPN report mentioned.
Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche was reported missing on September 11, 2021. More than four years later, in January 2026, her remains were discovered during excavation work conducted by the property’s new owner.
Authorities identified the body in March, prompting Dominican officials to reopen the investigation and inform ESPN that Pennel was considered a “person of interest” in the case.
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Prosecutors are currently treating the matter as a homicide investigation, although officials have not yet publicly disclosed a cause of death.
Pennel denies involvement in case
Pennel’s attorney previously stated that the NFL veteran was not in the Dominican Republic when Guzmán was reported missing. However, the lawyer did not provide any explanation for how her remains ultimately came to be discovered on property that Pennel once owned.
In a text message sent in April following the identification of Guzmán’s body, Pennel strongly denied any involvement in the case.
“This isn’t a story. I’m not legally involved. This is fake news being reported. I’d advise you to speak with my agent/lawyer … before writing a false story. Damaging my reputation,” he had said.
Pennel signed with the Atlanta Falcons on September 15, 2021, just two days after Guzmán was officially reported missing and the police investigation began.
ESPN also reviewed a confidential police report that, according to the outlet, contains no indication that investigators ever interviewed Pennel as part of the case.
