A photo showing Pauley Perrette in a black sleeveless dress

Pauley Perrette Opens Up About Torment During and After Marriage To Francis 'Coyote' Shivers

Home / Entertainment / Pauley Perrette Opens Up About Torment During and After Marriage To Francis 'Coyote' Shivers

By Favour Adegoke on August 25, 2021 at 11:30 AM EDT

Pauley Perrette is a retired American actress and singer, who gained popularity when she played Abby Sciuto on the television series titled "NCIS."

During her time on the show, the 52-year-old was not only considered the highest paid actress, but was also known as one of the most loved actors on television shows during that era. Aside from her wealthy status, the actress was also popular for her incredible acting skill.

Playing Abby Sciuto was one of many roles that she handled effortlessly that always found a way to keep her fans captivated. On social media, Perrette was a movie sensation, and as she remained in the spotlight, fans got wind of many things happening behind the scenes.

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Despite her awesome acting career and progressive limelight features, the actress was involved in an impossible and painful marriage to her now ex-husband, Francis 'Coyote' Shivers. They were married in 2000, when her career was just starting out fully, but got divorced in 2004. Two years later, the marriage was officially annulled, but that did not stop the nightmare that the actress had to live with for about four years.

From stalking, to harassment, Perrette was continuously taunted by her ex-husband, who eventually got what was coming to him. Keep scrolling below for more information.

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The Divorce

Perrette and Shivers were married for almost four years, before the "Broke" actress filed for divorce, citing that her husband was abusive both physically and emotionally. Although this looked like an accusation from a bitter wife at the time, Shivers' true colors became glaring for the world to see.

After her divorce was finalized, the actress decided to seek a restraining order against her husband, to keep herself safe from any future physical abuse attempts. The court reviewed her statements and evidences to back a claim, and granted her a permanent restraining order against the Canadian-American actor and singer.

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According to the actress, her ex stalked her severally, and found a way to gain access to her home, and vandalized it. These acts were traumatizing for Perrette, and she had no idea how far Shivers was willing to go with his reckless behavior.

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A photo of Pauley Perrette in a black dress, and behind her are multicolored flowers.
Instagram | Pauley Perrette
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Fox News also reported that the "Hollywood Sex Wars" actor had abused several women in the past, but was never caught or successfully reported because he used many aliases with them.

More Details On The Restraining Order

The purpose of a restraining order, is to make sure that there is a clear distance between the accuser and accused. Although these orders are almost not effective, it can lead to individual serving time in jail for violation.

Despite getting a permanent restraining order against Shivers, he was reluctant to leave Perrette alone. According to People, this order was given because the court determined that the actor exhibited frightening behaviors towards his ex-wife, and there was no telling what could go wrong if they continued engaging one another.

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On Perrette's part, she was okay with the order as she wanted to be far away from Shivers as possible, but for some reason or the other, he did could not accept this fact, as he continued to terrorize the actress, even in her safe space. This went on for years, until the court finally had enough of the actor's actions.

Fancis Shivers Was Sent To Jail

For his repeated violations, Shivers was sent to jail in 2012, six years after his divorce had been finalized. It's shocking that the actor refused to move on with his life for six years, and put Paulette through a difficult time— on that she no doubt dreads re-living till today.

The court found the "Girl In 3D" guilty of oppressing his ex-wife with different threatening events that ultimately went against the restraining order that explicitly stated that he must stay away from her. He was also asked to serve three months in jail for this violation, which could be elongated if he tried to violate the order again.

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After serving his time, Shivers went back to his career as a DJ in Los Angeles. Four years alter, he married Brazilian author and journalist, Mayra Dias Gomes, but the pair got divorced in 2018.

Surviving Francis Shivers

Perrette was subjected to one of the most difficult things that a married woman could ever face at the hands of her spouse, but when she was finally free of this bondage, she found her voice again, and decided to help others who are going through a similar ordeal.

She became an advocate for more strict stalking laws in the country, and often spoke about how getting a restraining order against a stalker may have little or no effect.

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In 2017, the actress told "48 Hours" that despite having a restraining order, it gave her next to no protection against her stalker. She went on to note that stalking can take different forms, especially through social media platforms.

"... There's a lot we have to get changed, especially internet stalking laws," she said.

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