Lenita Moreno, 25, was arrested on charges of aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Kaysville, Utah, just one day before her scheduled wedding. The blaze caused an estimated $108,000 in damage, according to authorities.
Fire started in Relief Society room
According to court documents cited by Utah news outlet KUTV, the fire began in the Relief Society room of the church building on July 10. Moreno, her unidentified groom, and family members were setting up for the wedding when the fire alarm went off as they were about to leave. A bystander used water from wedding decorations to extinguish the flames, while another person used a fire extinguisher.
Investigators reported that the fire appeared to have been started under a chair using unusual items, including what appeared to be a tampon. The groom told detectives that he and Moreno were in the room where the fire started and had visited an Ace Hardware earlier that day.
Evidence of theft and false statements
Police contacted the hardware store, which provided video footage showing Moreno stealing two cigarette lighters. The footage allegedly captured her walking toward the lighters, taking an unknown number, and hiding them on her person. Moreno admitted to stealing from the store but refused to disclose what she had taken.
Court documents state: "It is believed that Lenita (Tessa) started a fire within a church building while five others were still inside. Lenita did not obtain a marriage license for her own wedding that was to occur the following day after the fire but had lied stating she had."
Additional charges and background
In addition to arson, Moreno was booked on charges of retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer. KUTV reported that she was set to be married under the name Tessa Moran. As of Tuesday, she was being held without bail.
The US event insurance company Eventsure estimates that 15 to 20% of weddings are called off. While a change of heart is not covered under a policy, Eventsure notes: "Sometimes you have to cancel your wedding for reasons out of your control whether it's a fire, illness, etc. In these cases, consider getting cancellation insurance."
