The mother of Danielle Staley, a Utah woman who mysteriously disappeared in California earlier this month, has made claims about her daughter’s boyfriend, alleging a history of abuse.
According to a report by CrimeOnline, 35-year-old Staley was last spotted near a bonfire in Aptos, close to Rio Del Mar State Beach, on November 7 at approximately 11:30 p.m.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has expressed concerns for Staley’s safety, suggesting that foul play might be a factor in her disappearance.
In a statement to KSBW Action News 8 earlier this week, Alx Nunez, Staley’s boyfriend of 13 years, aged 62, denied any involvement in her vanishing, stating he is actively participating in the search efforts.
Staley’s family, speaking to KTLA 5, described Nunez, who was with her at the bonfire, as “extremely abusive” and “manipulative.”
The couple had been residing in a camper along the coast since their arrival in the region at the end of October. Authorities have discovered Staley’s belongings on the beach, but there are no signs indicating that she entered the water.
“We’ve been concerned for years,” her mother, April Miller, said, adding that the pair had been dating on and off for around 13 years.
Meanwhile, Nunez reportedly said he would take a polygraph test, and fears Staley may have had a drug relapse.
“There’s cameras there, there’s a whole private subdivision there that is nothing but cameras, and there has to be some video surveillance of something, cars going in and out at that particular time between about 11 o’clock and about six in the morning,” he told KSBW.
Police have not named Nunez a suspect in Staley’s disappearance, and he is cooperating with the investigation, ABC 7 reports.
Police are asking for security footage taken from Beach Drive, Rio Del Mar Boulevard, or the Esplanade between November 5 and 7.
Staley is described as a white female who stands 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs 120 pounds, with blond hair. She was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and leopard-print leggings.
Anyone with information regarding Staley’s whereabouts is urged to Santa Cruz County police at 831-471-1121.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help with search expenses.
[Feature Photo: Santa Cruz County police]
