90 Day Fiancé alum Geoffrey Paschel sparked backlash during his time on TLC after viewers uncovered details from his criminal history. Now, a Netflix true-crime series has revisited his case with new commentary from people who say they were directly affected.
Paschel’s story is covered in Season 2 of Netflix’s documentary series Worst Ex Ever, appearing in the second episode titled Primetime Predator, which includes first-hand accounts from former partners.
He was introduced to audiences on Season 4 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, which aired in February 2020—months after an alleged violent incident involving his then-fiancé Kristen Wilson.
According to the episode, Paschel and Wilson connected on a dating app in December 2017. Wilson says the relationship initially felt promising, but began to shift after she learned more about his past.
Wilson says that over time Paschel became increasingly controlling and abusive, and that he used manipulation—including references to his children—to pull her back in after arguments. The two later became engaged in March 2019.
Only a few months after their engagement, Wilson says Paschel attacked her at her home in Knoxville in June 2019.
Wilson alleges she drifted in and out of consciousness after being grabbed by the neck and having her head slammed into a wall multiple times, and says she was also thrown to the floor and restrained.
She says she managed to escape to a neighbor’s home, where 911 was called. Police then went to her residence and arrested Paschel, later describing him as being “wired.”
He was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault, and interference with emergency calls in connection with an incident reported to have occurred on June 8, 2019.
Paschel’s trial began in October 2021, nearly two years after he appeared on TLC. Varya Malina, his on-screen partner from the franchise, attended court to support him.
Wilson testified about the alleged assault while Paschel watched from the defense table. In the documentary, she describes the experience of being in the same room with him during proceedings.
“It was awful having to sit across from Geoffrey at trial,” Kristen told the Netflix cameras, while also recalling one particularly disturbing gesture from her ex.
“He would just lock eyes with me and not let go. It was very scary to have him stare at me like that.”
Paschel was found guilty on all three counts: aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault, and interference with an emergency call.
In February 2022, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison without parol.
At sentencing, the judge said: “This behavior towards these women is sick, it’s sadistic. I think Mr Paschel has a desire to inflict as much emotional damage to these women as possible”
The documentary also points to Paschel’s prior legal history from before his relationship with Wilson, including multiple convictions related to assault and driving while intoxicated.
It further notes that in July 2001 he received a 30-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Paschel’s ex-wife, Sabrina Grigsby, also appears in the series and discusses alleged abuse she says occurred during their relationship.
Malina continues to publicly support Paschel and, according to the episode, is living at his home in Knoxville while caring for his dogs.
He is scheduled for release in 2040.