Boyfriend Denies Involvement in Missing Woman’s Disappearance
The boyfriend of a missing Utah woman stated he had “nothing to do” with her disappearance, although he recognizes he’s an “obvious” target for investigators.
Danielle Staley, 35, reportedly went missing from Rio Del Mar State Beach in Central California, with her boyfriend, Arcus Nunez, 62, filing the missing person report on November 7. Nunez has expressed determination to “go find her.”
“Absolutely not. Absolutely not. 100 percent. I have nothing to do with it because God is my witness,” he said, emphasizing that many are questioning his involvement.
“Everyone is asking that question,” he added. “That’s obvious. Boyfriend, husband, we’re always the prime suspects. And all I want to do is help find her.”
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office considers Staley to be “at risk” and stated that she is a victim of “fraudulent activity.”
Nunez is cooperating, having been interviewed multiple times and allowing a search of his van. He mentioned that he was advised to take a polygraph test.
“I offered to take it on. I’m fine with that. It’s up to them. Whatever they want to do, they can do it,” he stated.
Nunez holds the belief that Staley may have relapsed and associated with other users prior to her disappearance after attending a bonfire with an unidentified group on November 6. Police found her belongings on the beach, and no one has heard from her since.
He also noted that he didn’t attend the bonfire due to his asthma, waking up in his camper van to discover his girlfriend missing.
“She wasn’t there, so I’m saying there’s a camera there. It’s not just the cameras, it’s the entire private property, and there has to be video surveillance of cars coming in and out from about 11 a.m. until 6 a.m.,” Nunez said.
He mentioned feeling compelled to speak up after facing backlash on social media regarding their past issues with domestic violence. Nunez expressed a desire for law enforcement and the public to shift focus away from him and concentrate on finding Staley. “I want to do more than just sit in a hotel room. I’m asking anyone with any information to come forward,” he urged.
