A woman is found buried in former Chiefs star's backyard

Former Kansas City Chiefs star Michael Pennel Jr. has found himself in hot water with the law in the Dominican Republic after a woman he used to date was found buried in his backyard.

According to ESPN, Pennel may have lied to the police about knowing the young woman. Witnesses told police back in 2021 that Pennel knew the victim, Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche.

Pennel did call a reporter to deny knowing her.

“I don’t understand any of this. I don’t know who you’re talking to, who’s saying this — I don’t know this woman. I wasn’t in the country (when Guzmán disappeared),” Pennel said.

Ariel Durán, who is Pennel’s lawyer, says his client was not involved in the murder; however, he does expect him to be arrested and charged because the body was found on his property.

Durán also made it clear that if Pennel is charged, he will not be his attorney because they are currently in a dispute over money.

Through interviews and police records, ESPN found that Pennel not only knew each other but also dated frequently when he visited the country before she turned up missing in September of 2021.

In 2025, Pennel sold his Dominican Republic property, and Guzman’s body was found in January 2026 by the property’s new owner.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: A woman is found buried in former Chiefs star’s backyard