Jeffery Kendall was sentenced Monday to 50 years to life in prison for murdering his former girlfriend, Brittany Elizabeth Ligdis, in Pinole, California. Prosecutors said Ligdis was on a 911 call and hiding with the couple’s 4-year-old son when Kendall entered her home and shot her. A jury previously convicted Kendall of first-degree murder and child endangerment. The child witnessed the attack and was later barred from contacting Kendall except under limited court-approved circumstances.
The killing occurred on February 16, 2024, just 10 days after Ligdis ended the relationship. Authorities said Kendall fled after the shooting and was later arrested. The case highlighted prosecutors’ concerns about the escalation of domestic violence after a victim attempts to leave a relationship.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | The 911 call and fatal attack |
| 2) | The jury’s verdict and sentencing |
| 3) | Prosecutors’ domestic violence argument |
| 4) | Court restrictions and weapon conviction |
| 5) | The family’s remembrance of Ligdis |
The 911 call and fatal attack
Ligdis called emergency dispatch on the morning of February 16, 2024, from her home in Pinole after prosecutors said Kendall broke in. She was hiding in a laundry room with the couple’s 4-year-old son. About 90 seconds into the call, Kendall allegedly entered the room, where Ligdis pleaded with him to let go and warned that he was frightening the child.
The district attorney’s office said Ligdis screamed for Kendall to stop before he shot her in the head. Their son cried out for his mother and ran from the room, while Kendall left the residence. Responding officers found Ligdis dead from the gunshot wound. The recorded call became central evidence in the prosecution’s account of what happened.
“Let go of me,” Ligdis pleaded. “You’re scaring him.”
The jury’s verdict and sentencing
A jury found Kendall guilty in May of first-degree murder and child endangerment. The child endangerment conviction was based on prosecutors’ assertion that Kendall placed the boy in a situation that threatened his safety during the attack.
Kendall, 39, was sentenced Monday by Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Glenn Kim. The judge imposed two consecutive terms of 25 years to life, producing a total sentence of 50 years to life. Kim described the case as one of the most difficult he had experienced before issuing the sentence.
Prosecutors’ domestic violence argument
Deputy District Attorney Tylyn Wells argued that the killing was an execution carried out in front of a young child. Wells rejected the idea that the shooting resulted from a mental break, saying the evidence instead reflected a pattern recognized in domestic violence cases.
According to prosecutors, the danger intensified after Ligdis ended the relationship. She had separated from Kendall only 10 days before the shooting. Wells sought a sentencing enhancement based on the circumstances, which contributed to the lengthy prison term imposed by the court.
“An execution in front of a 4-year-old child.”
Court restrictions and weapon conviction
In addition to the murder and child endangerment convictions, the court found Kendall guilty of illegally possessing a 3D-printed semi-automatic pistol. The judge also determined that multiple factors supported a harsher sentence.
Kim prohibited Kendall from contacting his son, with limited exceptions requiring court approval, until November 2035, when the child turns 16. Kendall remains in county jail pending transfer to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The family’s remembrance of Ligdis
One year after Ligdis’s death, her mother released an emotional video asking relatives and friends to focus on her daughter’s life rather than only the violence that ended it. She remembered Ligdis as an extraordinary person and spoke about the everyday affection and closeness the family had lost.
“I want this to be a day to remember Brittany, to memorialize her, the amazing person she was.”
The family’s message emphasized remembrance while the criminal case moved through sentencing. Ligdis’s death left her young son without his mother and resulted in a prison sentence that is expected to keep Kendall incarcerated for decades.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kendall was sentenced to 50 years to life for first-degree murder. |
| 2 | Ligdis was shot during a 911 call while hiding with her son. |
| 3 | The child witnessed the attack and was included in the endangerment conviction. |
| 4 | The court also convicted Kendall of illegal possession of a 3D-printed pistol. |
Summary
The sentence closes the prosecution of a Pinole homicide that began with Ligdis’s emergency call and ended with her son witnessing her death. The court’s consecutive life terms reflected the murder, child endangerment, weapon offense and aggravating circumstances presented at sentencing. Kendall remains in custody while awaiting transfer to state prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was sentenced in the case?
Jeffery Kendall, 39, was sentenced for murdering his former girlfriend, Brittany Elizabeth Ligdis, in Pinole.
What sentence did Kendall receive?
He received two consecutive terms of 25 years to life, for a total sentence of 50 years to life.
What happened during the attack?
Prosecutors said Ligdis called 911 while hiding with her 4-year-old son, and Kendall entered the room and shot her in the head before fleeing.
What other convictions did the court enter?
Kendall was convicted of child endangerment and illegal possession of a 3D-printed semi-automatic pistol.
