Where is Geoffrey Paschel now? Why the 90 Day Fiancé star is in prison – and his relationship with Varya now
The second season of Netflix’s chilling docuseries Worst Ex Ever has arrived and while the series typically focuses on romantic relationships that morph into true-crime nightmares, one face will be instantly recognisable to reality TV fans: Geoffrey Paschel.
Before he was the subject of a Netflix exposé, Paschel was a lead on TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. But while he was busy filming a long-distance romance with Russian partner, Varya Malina, there was a much darker story behind the scenes – one that would eventually lead to a high-profile trial and a lengthy prison sentence.
Here is everything you need to know about where Geoffrey Paschel is now, the crimes that led him there, and where his relationship with his 90 Day Fiancé partner stands today.
Who is Geoffrey Paschel?
Geoffrey Paschel first appeared on our screens in 2020 during Season 4 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. His storyline focused on his journey to Russia to meet Varya Malina, whom he had met on an international dating site.
However, his time on the show was overshadowed by controversy from the start. Viewers quickly discovered he had a significant criminal history, including prior drug-related convictions. As allegations of domestic abuse surfaced during the season’s airing, TLC eventually barred him from appearing in the reunion special.
What happened to Geoffrey Paschel’s partner, Kristen Wilson?
While Varya was his partner on screen, the “horrors” detailed in Worst Ex Ever and the subsequent trial primarily involve his former fiancée, Kristen Wilson.
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In June 2019, just months before Paschel filmed 90 Day Fiancé, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at Wilson’s home in Tennessee. Wilson reported that Paschel had attacked her in a fit of rage. According to the Knox County District Attorney’s office, Paschel “grabbed the victim by the neck and slammed her head against the wall several times.” He also threw her to the ground, dragged her, and took her phone so she couldn’t call for help.
Wilson eventually managed to escape to a neighbour’s house while Paschel was sleeping. When police arrived, they documented a large bruise on her forehead, abrasions on her lip, and multiple bruises on her back and arms. She was later diagnosed with a concussion.
Where is Geoffrey Paschel now?
Geoffrey Paschel is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole.
Following a two-day trial in October 2021, a jury found him guilty of aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault, and interference with emergency calls. Despite Paschel’s claims in court that Wilson’s injuries were “self-inflicted”, the judge handed down the heavy sentence in February 2022, citing his status as a “multiple offender” due to his previous criminal record.
He is currently incarcerated at a state prison in Tennessee. In early 2024, Paschel attempted to appeal his conviction, but the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the original verdict and sentence.
Is Geoffrey Paschel still with Varya Malina?
In a twist that has baffled many 90 Day Fiancé fans, Varya Malina has seemingly remained by Paschel’s side throughout his imprisonment. She has posted several updates to her Instagram, defending him and documenting her visits to the prison (though she famously claimed in 2023 that she had been suspended from visiting him in prison due to radiation exposure from scanners).
Malina’s last post featuring Paschel is dated September 2025, a selfie of the pair out on a hike, which she captioned: “Happy birthday ❤️Even though we can’t celebrate together today, my heart is with you every moment.”
Worst Ex Ever is available to stream on Netflix now.
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