More than two years after a tragic incident in Pinole, California, Jeffery Kendall, 39, was sentenced on Monday, August 4th, 2026, to 50 years to life in prison for the murder of his ex-partner, 30-year-old Brittany Elizabeth Ligdis. The fatal shooting occurred just 10 days after Ligdis ended their relationship.

The killing took place on July 16th, 2024, when Kendall broke into Ligdis's home while she was hiding in a laundry room with their 4-year-old son. During a desperate 911 call, Ligdis pleaded, "Let go of me," before Kendall shot her in the head. Their young son witnessed the shooting and cried out as it happened.

Deputy District Attorney Tylyn Wells described the murder as "an execution in front of a 4-year-old child" and stated it was not the result of "a mental break." Kendall was found guilty in May 2026 of first-degree murder and child endangerment for placing their son in a dangerous situation.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Glenn Kim, who called the case "one of the most difficult" he had experienced, imposed two consecutive terms of 25 years to life. Law enforcement officers, including the California Highway Patrol, arrested Kendall in Santa Cruz, California.

The Pinole Police Department declined to comment on the sentencing. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office emphasized the importance of remembering Brittany Ligdis and memorializing her as an amazing person.

Sources