The Burning Truth: A Coastal Killing and a Kayak Escape
The sleepy coastal town of Port O’Connor, Texas, was jolted awake this Christmas by a grim discovery: a murder most foul, followed by a desperate, fiery escape. The story unfolds like a twisted holiday horror film, leaving investigators to piece together a trail of violence, arson, and a surprisingly unconventional getaway.
It all began with a welfare check. Tomas Calavera Jr., 30, was reported missing. His father, alerted by the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office (acting on a request from Calhoun County), went to Calavera's home in Bexar County, only to find it empty. When Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies arrived, they made a horrifying discovery: Calavera’s body, lifeless, lay hidden in a closet, a gunshot wound to the face ending his life.
The investigation quickly shifted gears. BCSO identified Calavera’s common-law wife, Faith Paige Goynes, 40, as a person of interest. But the trail didn't end in Bexar County. The next chapter of this grim tale unfolded approximately 150 miles southeast, in Calhoun County, where a 2024 GMC pickup truck was engulfed in flames. The truck, it turned out, belonged to Calavera.
The arson scene offered a chilling clue: a yellow gas can and a lighter lay discarded near the charred remains of the vehicle. A witness even reported seeing a woman – later identified as Goynes – extinguishing herself, her clothing singed, as she walked away from the burning truck.
This is where the story takes a truly bizarre turn. The affidavit paints a picture of Goynes's escape attempt: paddling away from the scene of the crime in a kayak! Imagine the image: a woman, her hands severely burned, calmly paddling away from a burning truck, carrying her victim's identification. Authorities, including Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officers, apprehended her on the water.
Goynes’s arrest was swift. Confronted with the evidence, she reportedly confessed to shooting Calavera, stealing his truck, and setting it ablaze. The Calhoun County Jail now holds her, facing charges of murder in Bexar County and arson causing bodily injury/death in Calhoun County.
The details are still emerging, and the motive remains unclear. Why did Goynes allegedly commit this horrific act? What drove her to such desperate measures? The investigation continues, but one thing is certain: this Christmas, the quiet coastal town of Port O’Connor is grappling with a tragedy that will forever be etched in its history. The case serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most peaceful communities, a stark contrast to the festive cheer of the holiday season. The burning truck and the kayak escape will undoubtedly remain chilling details in this unfolding true crime story.
