ESPN has permanently removed an article that suggested NFL player Mike Pennell was implicated in a murder case in the Dominican Republic.
The piece focused on the disturbing story of Carli Francesca Guzmán Roche, whose body was discovered on property that Pennell previously owned. Guzmán had been missing since 2021, during which time she was involved with one of Pennell’s acquaintances. However, following an initial inquiry, authorities in the Dominican Republic excluded Pennell from suspicion.
On June 18, ESPN’s TJ Quinn and Juan Recio released an article indicating potential doubts about Pennell’s innocence, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding Guzmán’s death might have renewed scrutiny towards him. This article has since been taken down, and readers were greeted with a note stating, “It has been removed due to an error.”
In a June 18 update, ESPN noted that questions had emerged regarding Pennell’s whereabouts at the time of Guzmán’s disappearance and his relationship with her. The article hinted at possible connections, suggesting that Pennell might have had encounters with her during his visits to the Dominican Republic, as well as with some local men who may have also been involved with her.
However, an update from ESPN stated that Pennell’s legal representatives have submitted documentation proving that he was not in the Dominican Republic during the time of the woman’s disappearance, which occurred over five years ago.
“Pennell’s representatives provided ESPN with records, including travel and financial documents, supporting his claim that he was not in the Dominican Republic at that time,” the notice said.
According to Awful Announcing, Pennell confirmed his presence in the United States at the time, stating that passport and bank records, along with geotagged photos, show he was in Denver, receiving treatment for a sports injury before joining the Atlanta Falcons that September.
The report added that “Mr. Winegar, an associate of Pennell, noted that the player’s surveillance system captured individuals trespassing on the property the night Guzmán Roche disappeared, and this footage was submitted to the Dominican authorities, which Winegar was reportedly unaware of.”
Ultimately, it seems that ESPN’s June 18 article may have connected dots without sufficient evidence, leading to unsubstantiated claims. While Dominican authorities continue to investigate the death as a homicide, Mike Pennell no longer appears to be a suspect in the case.
Pennell, 35, entered the NFL as an undrafted player in 2014, initially signing with the Green Bay Packers. His career spanned various teams, including the Jets, Patriots, Chiefs, Bears, and Bengals, making him an unsigned free agent currently. Over his 12-year career, he played in 154 regular-season games, starting 27, and he won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
