Former Chief Mike Pennel responds after being named person of interest in DR homicide.

Former NFL lineman Mike Pennel Jr. is denying involvement in a Dominican Republic homicide investigation after remains were found on property he once owned. Reports indicate Pennel is a person of interest, though he and his attorney say he does not know the missing woman and was not in the country when she disappeared, with his legal team offering full cooperation to authorities.

Key details include:
– The victim, Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche, went missing in September 2021; her remains were found in January on Pennel’s former property.
– The case is being treated as a homicide, though the cause of death has not been released.
– Pennel publicly reframed the situation as misinformation, stating he is not legally involved and that investigators have not contacted him; his Dominican attorney says Pennel directed his lawyers to cooperate.
– Pennel’s background notes several NFL-related issues, including three suspensions for substance-abuse policy violations, a 2024 civil defamation-related suit connected to a dog-breeding business in the Dominican Republic, and notable recent team activity with the Chiefs and Bengals.
– As of now, Pennel remains a free agent, with the investigation ongoing.

Key Takeaways:
– Pennel denies involvement and emphasizes cooperation with authorities.
– The homicide investigation centers on Guzmán Roche’s 2021 disappearance and 2024–2026 developments in the Dominican Republic.
– The case intersects sports history and off-field legal matters, with Pennel’s NFL career providing context to public interest.