A woman from Texas is facing murder charges following the death of her common-law husband. Faith Paige Goynes, 40, was arrested on December 23 and is currently detained at the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center. The investigation, which spanned across two counties, identified Goynes as the primary suspect in the death of Tomas Calavera Jr., 30. Calavera was discovered in a closet with a fatal gunshot wound to his face.
Calavera’s body was discovered on a Monday when officers from the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check at his residence. This was done at the behest of Calhoun County officials who were searching for the alleged victim.
The investigation took a turn when Calhoun County deputies reported that Goynes became a person of interest after she allegedly set a 2024 GMC pickup truck, owned by Calavera, on fire near Port O’Connor, approximately 150 miles east of San Antonio, Texas. A witness reportedly saw Goynes extinguishing flames on herself as she walked away from the burning vehicle. A gas can and lighter were discovered near the scene.
Goynes was later located by deputies and an officer from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as she was allegedly trying to flee the area in a kayak. According to the police, Goynes had sustained burn injuries to her hand and was found in possession of Calvera’s identification.
The affidavit reportedly revealed that Goynes confessed to the police that she had shot Calavera, with whom she has a child, and set his truck on fire. She was subsequently charged with one count of murder in Bexar County, where Calavera’s home was located, and one count of arson causing serious bodily injury or death. Information regarding her bond was not immediately available.