A boyfriend’s pledge to locate his missing girlfriend has sparked controversy amidst accusations from her family that he’s ‘manipulative.’ The mystery surrounding Danielle Staley’s disappearance from a beach party has captivated the community of Aptos, California.

Danielle, aged 35, vanished from Platforms Beach in the Rio Del Mar area on the night of November 6. According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, she was last seen with a group of people shortly before 11:30 p.m. Despite extensive searches, her belongings were found on the beach, but there was no indication that she had ventured into the ocean that night.

Originally from Utah, Danielle had been residing with her 62-year-old boyfriend, Axl Nunez, in their camper parked by the beach. Their relationship, which began in September, seemed stable as she maintained regular contact with her family until her sudden disappearance.

Nunez explained that he did not join Danielle at the beach bonfire due to his asthma, and instead, he stayed behind, eventually falling asleep in their van. His decision not to accompany her has fueled speculation, with Danielle’s family questioning his intentions and character.

She has been with Nunez since September and has kept in touch with her family until she went missing.

Nunez said he didn’t accompany Staley to the bonfire party because he’s asthmatic, and ended up falling asleep in his van. 

He woke up the next morning and realized she never came home.

‘I’m going to find her,’ Nunez told FOX13. ‘I won’t stop, bro. I’m not stopping until I find her, and I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here.’

But Staley’s family spoke out about the 13 year-long ‘on-again, off-again’ relationship with Nunez.

Danielle Staley, 35, disappeared from Platforms Beach area of Rio Del Mar in Aptos, California on November 6

Staley and Axl Nunez, 62, who have been staying together in his camper in California since September

‘We’ve been concerned for years,’ April Miller, Staley’s mother, told KSBW 8. The 35-year-old’s brother also called Nunez ‘extremely abusive’ and manipulative.’ 

‘He’s been saying that basically, she just walked off, not taking her purse, her phone, not taking one thing other than the clothes on her back,’ Miller said. ‘Honestly, we’re really alarmed by this because that’s not Danielle.’

Despite the family’s claims, Nunez stood firm, maintaining he had nothing to do with Staley’s disappearance.

‘Absolutely not. One hundred percent. God as my witness, I have nothing to do with it,’ Nunez told FOX13.

‘Everybody’s asking that question. It’s pretty obvious, the boyfriend, the husband, we’re the number one suspect all the time. And all I want to do is help try to find her.’

The 62-year-old added that he has been extremely cooperative in the investigation, allowing police to search his van and even offered to take a polygraph test.

‘Whatever they want to do, they can do it. But I did offer it to them. I said, “I will take a polygraph test. I will take any kind of tests you guys want.” I just want to help to try to find her,’ Nunez said to the local outlet.

Photo of Staley released by the Sheriff’s Office, police believe foul play may be involved in Staley’s disappearance

Platforms Beach area of Rio Del Mar in Aptos, California, where Staley disappeared at the beach bonfire party (file)

Police believe foul play may be involved in Staley’s disappearance, but told local outlets that Nunez is currently not considered a suspect.

‘This is still being investigated as a missing person with suspicious circumstances and haven’t established any crimes; therefore, there are not any persons of interest,’ Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sgt. Zach West told ABC.

But Miller also told KSBW that the police’ think foul play is involved.’

‘They really think that she just did not walk off and decide to leave,’ she told the local outlet.

 ‘I probably talked to her at least four times a week, and we text other days… She’s in communication with us. She’s not trying to disappear from her family,’ Miller added.

Nunez spoke out after social media backlash, much of it focused on the couple’s history of domestic violence. 

But the 62-year-old believes this is a drug related issue and that Staley may have relapsed or is even with other users. 

Nunez said he wants out of the spotlight and wants the focus on finding his girlfriend, adding that he will do ‘whatever it takes’ to find her. 

‘I just want her back,’ he said to FOX13. ‘She’s my life, she’s my best friend.’

Staley’s brother, Frankie Grey, described her as a ‘trusting and loving’ person who has an incredible sense of humor. 

‘She’s so fun and funny and just the life of any room,’ Grey said. 

According to the police, Staley is 5’6″ and 120 pounds with blonde hair. She was last seen in a dark sweatshirt and leopard print leggings.