“The Traitors” star Carolyn Wiger is facing a contentious custody dispute with her former boyfriend, Michael Boche, as she works to remain in the game and keep her identity as a Traitor hidden on the Peacock reality competition.
The 38-year-old former “Survivor” finalist has spoken publicly about the relationship and her decision to leave Boche, whom she has accused of being abusive.
In an Instagram post published in July 2024, Wiger wrote, “Exactly one year ago I left the hell that I lived in when I left my abusive relationship.”
“I’ve spent the last year feeling every emotion that comes with it so I could truly heal. I’ve realized life doesn’t need to stop because of the struggle and now here I am just livin.’”
Several months later, she revealed a new tattoo encircling her neck, explaining that the design symbolized recovery and a fresh start.
“Because when you’re in an abusive relationship it’s like a constant chokehold. I’ve been free for eight months. Wrapped around my neck are my favorite flowers representing healing and new beginnings,” she said.
“The Traitors” star Carolyn Wiger remains locked in a custody dispute with her former boyfriend, Michael Boche, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal
Wiger said she left the relationship in July 2023; pictured are Boche and their 11-year-old son, Luca
Wiger unveiled the tattoo in March 2024, writing that her favorite flowers represented “healing and new beginnings”
“Welcome to the continuous growth and healing era. You’re not alone.”
DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal that although Wiger has described herself as physically “free” from Boche, whom she never married, the pair remain involved in a Minnesota custody case that began in September 2023.
Boche, 37, filed a petition concerning custody of their 11-year-old son, Luca, two months after Wiger said she had left the relationship. He sought temporary joint legal and joint physical custody, along with an equal parenting-time schedule.
He also asked the court to order Wiger to undergo a psychological evaluation and a hair-follicle test.
Meanwhile, a protective order issued against Boche in August 2023 shields Wiger, but not their son. The order remained in effect for two years, protecting the reality star through August 2025.
Wiger requested temporary sole legal and physical custody, supervised parenting time for Boche—or unsupervised visits subject to specific conditions—and child support, according to her response filed in January 2024.
In a March order, the court awarded Wiger temporary sole legal and physical custody after finding that she had been Luca’s “primary caregiver throughout his life,” while describing Boche as “an involved parent.”
The March 2024 filing also granted Boche temporary, unsupervised parenting time lasting three hours on a weekday evening and one weekend day. The judge noted that the arrangement could be modified two months later if he submitted a negative hair-follicle test.
The former “Survivor” finalist received temporary sole legal and physical custody of Luca in March 2024, but custody litigation with her ex continues
In a December 2023 Instagram video about what she called the “darkest time” of her life, Wiger wrote that she was “breaking the cycle”
The court documents, obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, state: “While Respondent agrees that Petitioner is capable of being a good parent, she has expressed concerns regarding his mental health and anger issues.”
Wiger submitted affidavits to the court, many of which remain sealed, describing what she characterized as Boche’s “abusive and threatening language towards her.” The filings also allege that he damaged property, including by breaking furniture and punching holes in the walls of their home.
Although the court found that Boche “is in a better place,” it said concerns remained about his anger management and “potential for harmful conduct.”
Wiger has shared Instagram footage that appeared to show a damaged wall, a plant scattered across the floor and belongings strewn throughout the home.
She captioned the December 2023 video: “I used to think it couldn’t happen to me. But even through the darkest time of my life, I’ve found hope.”
“Abuse can happen to anybody. You’re not alone. It is what you do to overcome it that is important.”
The court determined that Wiger did not need to undergo a psychological evaluation or provide a hair-follicle sample, citing her sobriety for “several years.” She marked 15 years of sobriety last May and has worked for years as a chemical-abuse counselor.
The court also noted that Wiger left the drug-counselor position she had held since 2012 to compete on “Survivor.”
Wiger shared an emotional video in 2023 in which she broke down while discussing what she called an abusive relationship
She also posted footage of a wall allegedly punched by Boche, an incident referenced in the court filings
“She now does cameo video work related to her Survivor appearance and started a business as a life coach,” the documents state. Her monthly income was estimated at less than $7,000, based on her 2023 earnings.
The filings also state that Wiger received a one-time prize of $85,000 from “Survivor,” along with an additional $100,000 award from singer Sia. Both payments were taxable.
Wiger finished third on “Survivor” season 44, which premiered in March 2023. She received $85,000, while winner Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho took home the $1 million grand prize.
She also received $100,000 from Australian singer Sia, who gave cash awards to contestants as part of a tradition on the show from 2016 through 2024.
Wiger was initially awarded temporary child support of $889 per month from Boche. That amount was later reduced to $795 per month after the first two months of payments, which would have been around June 2024.
The former couple are now disputing the use of an expert witness, according to court documents filed in November 2024.
Wiger argued that she should have been notified before an expert interviewed Luca and that the interview “should not have taken place without her prior consent.”
She is asking the court to limit Boche’s ability to introduce expert testimony at trial concerning Luca’s preference on custody and parenting time.
Wiger finished third on “Survivor” season 44 and received $85,000
Wiger and other “Survivor” finalists also received additional prize money from pop star Sia
The court ruled that Wiger could not “deny Petitioner the right to present evidence at trial on the child’s preference.”
The judge encouraged the former couple to reach an agreement before trial regarding whether any expert testimony would be admissible.
“It is unfortunate that Luca is being exposed to the litigation process as a result of the inability of the parties to come to a resolution of this matter,” the documents state.
“However, [Michael] must be allowed to present his case. The court relies on the professionalism of [the expert witness] to prevent any undue exposure of Luca to the parties’ custody proceeding.”
The court authorized a second interview of Luca, provided it was “of reasonable length.”
The custody case remains active, with a motion hearing scheduled for later this month and a presumed three-day trial set for May 2025.
DailyMail.com contacted attorneys for both Boche and Wiger for comment.
Wiger’s attorney told DailyMail.com: “Carolyn continues to prioritize what is truly in the best interests of her minor child. While Carolyn feels very strongly about advocating for women in similar situations, she must offer no comment at this time in the interest of the privacy of her minor child.”
Wiger was selected as a Traitor on season three of “The Traitors,” which is airing new episodes every Thursday on Peacock
Big Brother veteran Danielle Reyes was also chosen to play a Traitor
“Any allegations in this matter will be addressed through the appropriate legal channels. We are confident that the legal process will ultimately provide a fair and just outcome. Carolyn asks for privacy for her family as they work through this difficult time.”
Boche’s attorney told DailyMail.com: “Mr. Boche is in the process of litigating against Ms. Wiger’s false and defamatory allegations regarding domestic abuse.”
“Accordingly, Mr. Boche denies any allegations of abuse. We believe Ms. Wiger is using these allegations to bolster her own notoriety and fame.”
Boche filed a separate conciliation lawsuit in November 2023 over mortgage payments on the former couple’s home, as well as utility bills, homeowners association fees and personal property.
Wiger filed a counterclaim in February 2024, alleging that Boche still had property belonging to her in the home valued at $2,475. The items included an $800 kitchen table and chairs, a $300 entertainment center and a $100 orange couch.
She also alleged that Boche failed to pay $2,316 in mortgage costs and $439.79 in utility bills. Wiger asked him either to return her belongings or pay more than $5,300 for their value and related costs.
Soon after Wiger filed her counterclaim, both Boche’s claims and her counterclaim were dismissed with prejudice.
The court found that the former couple had never reached an agreement about responsibility for mortgage payments, utilities or HOA dues after their relationship ended.
Eleven contestants remained in the competition for a prize of up to $250,000 after episode seven aired on February 6
The judge concluded that there had been “no meeting of the minds regarding the payment of these bills” and that Boche “failed to meet his burden of proof.”
The court further noted that Wiger had returned to the property “many times” after moving out but had not removed the belongings she later sought to recover.
During the dispute, Wiger posted an Instagram video showing herself shopping for furniture while Kelly Clarkson’s song “Stronger” played in the background.
“When your abusive ex sells the rest of your furniture because you asked for it back, but they call the cops on you if you go on your own property to your house they claim you ‘abandoned’ but they refused to leave,” she wrote in the caption.
Following her “Survivor” appearance, Wiger joined the season three cast of “The Traitors.” The cast filmed at Ardross Castle in Scotland during the summer of 2024, and the season premiered on January 9, 2025.
After episode seven aired on February 6, the remaining contestants included Traitors Wiger and Danielle Reyes, along with Faithfuls Sam Asghari, Dolores Catania, Dylan Efron, Britney Haynes, Ciara Miller, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Tom Sandoval, Chrishell Stause and Gabby Windey.
