The Truth About 90 Day Fiancé's Paul And Karine's Relationship
Paul Staehle and Karine Martins are one of the most compelling couples on TLC's 90 Day Fiancé series. They have appeared on four different seasons spread over three different spin-off shows. After meeting online, Paul traveled to Brazil to meet Karine, who lived with her family along the Amazon River (via Reality TV World). Despite struggling to communicate over electronic translators due to a language barrier, Paul and Karine got married in 2017. Karine gave birth to their son, Pierre, in 2018. The couple lived together in Brazil until Karine and Pierre joined Paul in Kentucky in 2019. In recent months, their marriage has been in serious trouble, leaving fans wondering what happened and whether they're still together.
Karine took her son and fled Paul
In an Instagram live video on July 30, Paul showed his encounter with police visiting his home (via Blast). He told followers that Karine and her lawyer had called the police. He then told the police that he hadn't hit Karine, but that he'd been upset when she texted a Brazilian lawyer about child support and divorce. On August 1, Us Weekly reported that Paul took to Instagram stories to tell fans that Karine and the couple's 16-month-old son had gone missing. "Karine took off with Pierre and I don't know where they are," Paul told followers.
Throughout the day, Paul added more information to social media, telling followers he had tested positive for an STD, though he claimed he had never cheated on Karine. Then, he revealed that Karine had taken out a restraining order against him. Karine's unsettling written statement alleged that Paul had raped her, taken her Green Card, and told her that if she left him, he would take Pierre.
Karine and her son are doing fine
After several days of social media silence, Karine returned to Instagram on August 3 to tell her side of the story. ET captured Karine's statement about her escape, which she posted to her Instagram stories. "I want you all to know that me and Pierre are doing well now," Karine said. "I had issues where the police was [were] because I feared for my life and my son's life which led me to ask for help and ultimately be rescued from an environment that no longer was healthy for none of us involved in the situation." She clarified that despite Paul's comments, she was never missing.
In Instagram stories on August 10, Paul denied the accusations, saying, "I have never in my life physically or sexually assaulted anyone." He went on to explain a previous domestic violence allegation as "a well written message that she could get her stuff." Paul had previously been convicted for arson (via Starcasm).
Paul and Karine have separated before
From the beginning, Paul and Karine's relationship has never been smooth sailing. During the second season of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Karine contemplated divorcing Paul, though she eventually decided to stay with him (via TLC). In November 2019, Paul posted to Instagram, saying he and Karine had begun divorce proceedings (via ET). Karine told Us Weekly she was looking for a lawyer. However, the couple got back together, posting photos together in early 2020.
It seems like now, the relationship is over for good. In Karine's Instagram story statement, she said, "Relationships are hard and sometimes it just can't be fixed anymore. I need this time to organize my thoughts, work on myself and care for my son after everything we have been through in the last year and a half." Paul and Karine are currently being featured on 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? on TLC, which was filmed in 2019 (via Chicago Tribune).