Authorities in Santa Cruz County are still investigating the suspicious disappearance of a California woman, and her boyfriend is now publicly addressing the case.
Danielle Staley, 35, was last seen at about 11:23 p.m. on Nov. 6 near Rio Del Mar State Beach, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. The following day, deputies located her personal belongings on the sand, but Staley herself was not found.
Investigators say they believe foul play may be involved and have described Staley as “at risk.”
Staley’s boyfriend, Alx Nunez, told local station KSBW that he reported her missing the next morning after she did not return to the camper van the couple had been traveling in. Nunez denied any involvement in her disappearance and said he remained behind while Staley went to a bonfire.
“I said I will take a polygraph test. I would take any kind of tests you guys want,” Nunez said he told investigators, KSBW reported.
He also urged the public to help locate Staley and echoed the sheriff’s office request for surveillance footage from the area covering Nov. 5 through Nov. 7. Officials have said Nunez is not considered a suspect, according to the station.
Staley’s mother, April Miller, told KTVX she does not believe her daughter would cut off contact voluntarily. She said Staley is typically in touch with her family and would have tried to reach out if she were safe.
“If she has gone missing, I feel that she would have done everything in her power to get a call out to one of us to let us know that she was ok,” Miller said, per KTVX.
Staley is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 120 pounds, with blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and leopard-print leggings. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
