Utah Woman Sets Up Church for Her Own Wedding With Groom and Family Members. The Next Day, the Church Catches Fire. Now, She’s Arrested for Arson

A Utah woman who spent the evening decorating a church for her wedding now faces felony charges. Investigators alleged she intentionally set the building on fire just hours before the ceremony. The fire broke out on July 10, 2026, at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kaysville, a city in Davis County about 20 miles north of Salt Lake City.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Utah’s 2nd District Court, cited in several news reports, Lenita “Tessa” Joy Moreno, 25, had been preparing the church for her wedding with her fiancé. Several family members were also present when the fire alarm sounded.

Investigators said members of the wedding party noticed smoke coming from a nearby room. They say those in the church extinguished the flames with water and a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived. Although no one suffered injuries, officials estimated the fire caused more than $108,000 in damage to the building.

Investigators later determined the fire had been intentionally set.

During the investigation, court documents state that authorities found combustible materials beneath a chair. Those included what appeared to be a tampon. Authorities claim Moreno used it as part of the ignition source. Fire investigators ruled out accidental causes and concluded someone deliberately started the blaze.

Police also examined Moreno’s activities earlier that day. According to the probable cause affidavit, surveillance footage from a local Ace Hardware store showed Moreno concealing several cigarette lighters before leaving without paying.

During a later interview, she admitted stealing items from the store, although investigators said she did not initially specify what she had taken. Authorities allege those lighters matched the type of ignition source used in the church fire.

Investigators uncovered another inconsistency while reviewing preparations for the wedding. According to court records reported in local media, Moreno told others she had obtained a Utah marriage license for the ceremony. Detectives later confirmed through state records that no marriage license had been issued.

Prosecutors included that allegation in a charge accusing Moreno of providing false information to a peace officer during the investigation. The affidavit does not identify a specific motive for the alleged arson.

Authorities arrested Moreno on July 27. Davis County prosecutors charged her with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, along with retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer. Court records indicate the aggravated arson charge alleges Moreno knowingly started a fire with other people inside the church, increasing the seriousness of the offense under Utah law.

As of July 29, Moreno remained in custody at the Davis County Jail while the criminal case moved through the Utah court system. Online court records show the charges remain pending, and no trial date has been scheduled. Moreno has not entered a public plea, and she remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

(Featured image: KendraMillerPhotography, CC BY-ND 2.0., Image by Muffet, CC BY 2.0.)

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