ESPN Retracts Story Linking NFL Player Pennel to Homicide

ESPN has retracted a story linking NFL free agent Michael Pennel Jr. to a homicide investigation in the Dominican Republic after his representatives provided documentation that he was not in the country at the time of the victim's disappearance. The network removed the article entirely on July 1, 2026, stating it contained errors.

The original report, published on June 18, 2026, connected Pennel to the death of Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche, who disappeared on September 5, 2021. Her remains were discovered in January 2026 during excavation work on a property in Puerto Plata that Pennel previously owned. The story cited anonymous sources and police records suggesting Pennel knew the woman and had spent time with her.

In retracting the article, ESPN posted a statement saying Pennel's representatives had provided travel and financial records supporting his assertion that he was not in the Dominican Republic when Guzmán disappeared. The network included a link to a statement from Pennel's U.S. legal team.

Attorney Brian Wainger stated that Pennel had nothing to do with the death or disappearance and was never a suspect or person of interest in the investigation. He said Pennel did...