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Geoffrey Paschel shocked audiences when his harrowing story landed on Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever Season 2. The 90 Day Fiancé star’s brutal domestic assault case is finally exposing the dark side of a man serving 18 years without parole. Season 2 premiered May 6, diving deep into his June 2019 assault against ex-fiancée Kristen Wilson.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Featured Episode: Season 2, Episode 2 of Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever, aired May 6, 2026
- Conviction: Aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault, and interference with emergency calls
- Sentence: 18 years without possibility of parole, release date December 12, 2037
- Prison Location: Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee
The 90 Day Fiancé Star’s Dark Criminal History
Geoffrey Paschel, born September 12, 1977, has a checkered past spanning decades. The Knoxville native was married four times starting in 1995, and has fathered at least four children. Before his assault conviction, Paschel pleaded guilty to federal cocaine trafficking in 2001, serving 30 months in federal prison until July 2003. He has also faced multiple assault and driving while intoxicated charges throughout his life.
Despite these felonies, TLC cast Paschel on the 2020 season of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. The show followed his relationship with Russian native Varya Malina, whom he met online. However, fans quickly discovered his extensive criminal rap sheet, and a Change.org petition demanded his removal.
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The Brutal June 2019 Assault on Kristen Wilson
The assault occurred on June 8, 2019, when Paschel attacked Kristen Wilson, a third-grade teacher from Knoxville, Tennessee, at her home. According to the Knox County District Attorney’s office, Paschel grabbed Wilson by the neck and slammed her head against the wall several times. He threw her to the ground and dragged her, leaving her with a concussion, bruises, and abrasions covering her face and body.
After Paschel fell asleep, Wilson escaped to a neighbor’s house and called 911. Police arrived in the early morning hours and arrested him. The assault was particularly shocking because Paschel was engaged to another woman while dating online girlfriend Varya Malina, creating a tangled web of deception.
The Trial and Conviction in October 2021
Due to COVID-19 delays, Paschel’s trial didn’t occur until October 2021, more than two years after his arrest. During this waiting period, he traveled to Russia for filming and appeared on 90 Day Fiancé with Malina. Wilson testified about the brutal beating, and her account was described as highly credible by Assistant District Attorney Heather Ens, who stated, ‘I was confident the jury would believe her.’ The jury found Paschel guilty on all three counts: aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault, and interference with emergency calls.
Judge Kyle Hixson called Paschel’s behavior ‘sick’ and ‘sadistic,’ noting his apparent desire to inflict emotional damage. The judge sentenced him to 18 years without parole on February 3, 2022. His criminal history and testimony from his ex-wives, including rape allegations, heavily influenced the harsh sentence.
| Detail | Information |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Season 2 Release Date | May 6, 2026 |
| Total Episodes | 4 hour-long episodes |
| Paschel Episode Number | Episode 2 |
‘This behavior towards these women is sick. It is sadistic. I think that Mr. Paschel has a desire to inflict as much emotional damage to these women as possible. The appropriate sentence in this case is 18 years to serve.’
— Judge Kyle Hixson, Knox County Circuit Court
Where is Paschel Now and Will He Ever Be Released?
Paschel currently serves his sentence at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a medium-security facility in Hartsville, Tennessee. His release date is set for December 12, 2037, when he will be approximately 60 years old. Remarkably, he remains engaged to Varya Malina, who visits him every other week and manages his Tennessee rental properties from his home.
According to a March 2025 YouTube video posted by Malina, Paschel works in prison intake, a highly sought position. However, she described his experience as an ‘absolute nightmare’ and claimed the conditions are ‘horrifying.’ Despite being behind bars, the couple continues making plans for the future together.
Will Netflix’s Documentary Impact Paschel’s Appeal Chances?
The inclusion in Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever Season 2 brings renewed public attention to Paschel’s crimes. In 2024, he attempted to appeal his conviction, but the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the original verdict and 18-year sentence. The docuseries deeper exposition of victim testimony and evidence could influence public perception, though legal experts suggest established convictions face high barriers for reversal. Paschel’s case remains one of reality television’s darkest cautionary tales about hidden violence lurking behind charming facades.
Sources
- People Magazine – Comprehensive coverage of Geoffrey Paschel’s trial, conviction, and current prison status
- Knox County District Attorney – Official press releases and sentencing details
- Netflix – Worst Ex Ever Season 2 release information and episode descriptions
