Trevor's parents had him out of wedlock, at the request of Trevor's mother. They are not married as Trevor's mother re-married later in her life. However, Trevor's abusive stepfather (Patricia's new husband) shot her in the head. She, miraculously, survived as the bullet went through the back of her head through her nose. Shingange then threatened Trevor's life, which prompted the sudden move from  Johannesburg to Los Angeles.