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NewsChicago Sun-TimesJuly 1, 2026United States

ESPN Retracts Story Linking Mike Pennel to Dominican Woman's Death

ESPN has retracted and deleted a story that linked former Chicago Bears player Mike Pennel to the 2021 disappearance of a woman in the Dominican Republic. The network issued the retraction after Pennel's legal team provided travel, financial, and geotracking records proving he was in the United States at the time.

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Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times

Why It Matters

This highlights a significant correction in media reporting regarding a professional athlete's potential involvement in a criminal investigation.

Key Facts

  • ESPN retracted and deleted a June 18 story linking Mike Pennel to the death of a woman in the Dominican Republic.
  • Pennel's legal team provided travel, banking, and geotracking records confirming he was in Denver, Colorado, in September 2021.
  • Carli Franchesca Guzman Roche was declared missing on September 13, 2021.
  • The Chicago Bears cut Mike Pennel on August 31, 2021, and he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on September 15, 2021.
  • Pennel's lawyer stated that video surveillance from Pennel's Dominican property captured trespassers on the night of the disappearance.
  • The original ESPN story relied on unnamed sources who claimed Pennel knew the victim, a claim denied by his lawyer.
  • Pennel had previously warned ESPN reporters in April to contact his legal representation before publishing stories regarding the case.

Who's Mentioned

organizationChicago Bears“NFL team that previously employed Mike Pennel.”personCarli Franchesca Guzman Roche“The woman who disappeared in the Dominican Republic in September 2021.”personMike Pennel“Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle who was the subject of the retracted ESPN ”organizationESPN“The media outlet that published and subsequently retracted the story.”personBrian Wainger“Lawyer representing Mike Pennel.”