Texas woman admits to shooting, killing husband, torching his truck, trying to escape in kayak: police

Texas authorities arrested a woman on Monday who reportedly confessed to shooting her common-law husband to death. Faith Paige Goynes, 40, attempted to escape in a kayak but was later captured by sheriff's deputies. She has been booked into the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center on murder and arson charges in connection to the death of 30-year-old Tomas Calavera Jr.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT, Bandera County sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check at a home in Bexar County. They discovered Calavera dead in the closet with a gunshot wound to the face. Goynes reportedly fled the scene in Calavera's 2024 GMC pickup truck and parked it near Port O'Conner in nearby Calhoun County. She then allegedly set the vehicle on fire, got into a kayak, and paddled away.

Police said a gas can and lighter were located near the vehicle, and a witness told authorities that Goynes extinguished herself as she walked away from the truck, as per the affidavit.

Calhoun County deputies and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officer were alerted to the fire at the port, and Goynes was discovered paddling a kayak out of the area. According to police, Goynes had Calavera's ID on her and had burns on her hand. She was taken into custody and has been charged with one count of murder and one count of arson causing serious bodily injury or death, records show.

According to the affidavit, Goynes issued an admission of guilt and allegedly told a Calhoun County deputy that she shot Calavera and burned his truck before trying to escape on the kayak. Goynes and Calavera share one child, per Law & Crime. No bond information has been listed.