MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A La Marque man charged with murder in connection with his wife’s death was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Florida, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said deputies received a tip that Trent Paschal was at Holiday Travel Park on W. Silver Springs Boulevard just north of Orlando. When deputies arrived at the scene, they asked the occupant of the van to come out and then they heard a gunshot.
Deputies said they found Paschal dead inside the van. U.S. Deputy Marshall Alfredo Perez said his identity was confirmed by a medical examiner Monday morning.
The U.S. Marshals Service had been searching for Paschal since spring.
Authorities said he skipped bond in April and stole an SUV at knifepoint from a car salesman. He had not been found since.
The Marshals say Savannah Paschal was shot and killed in their La Marque home in October 2020.
After the shooting, officers said Paschal was shot during a standoff with Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies but survived and was arrested. He later bonded out of jail.
“We don’t feel that he should’ve been let out on bond again and again and again,” said Michael Kinchen, Savannah Paschal’s father. “He has been in custody three separate times in the first six months after our daughter was killed. We warned them time and time again."
Officer Chase Hunt, who was leading the manhunt, said Paschal was last seen leaving his mother’s house in mid-April riding a scooter, not driving the SUV he was accused of stealing at knifepoint from a car dealership.
In a press conference with Crime Stoppers, Savannah's mother, Shirley Kinchen, said it felt like torture to not know where he was.
"I didn't feel in my gut that he would come back to Texas, but I didn't think he was going to murder my daughter," Shirley Kinchen said. "We both were always looking over our shoulder."
The grandparents have been raising Savannah and Trent Paschal's two children and said they're in the process of officially adopting them. Their oldest child is 12.
Demands from Savannah's family
Savannah Paschal's parents said they will continue to fight for and honor their daughter in different ways.
Her mother demanded stricter monitoring for suspects under bond restrictions, especially for those who had to wear an ankle monitor. Marshall Perez said Trent Paschal removed his ankle monitor before he went missing.
"We will continue to honor our daughter's memory by fighting for bond reform and bringing light to a justice system that not only failed us and her children, but so many other victims," Shirley Kinchen said. "And there are many victims. We waited a little over a year. Many people wait decades."
Savannah's parents have also been raising money for organizations that their daughter was passionate about. One of them includes an annual scholarship event from their church.
"I would like for our daughter to be remembered as a loving and caring individual," Michael Kinchen said. "Her light will not be shut off."
Domestic violence resources
Victims of domestic violence can call the Houston Area Women’s Center at 713-528-2121. The hotline is available 24/7.
They can also reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.