"I Fear He Will Seek Revenge" — The Heartbreaking Case of Jessica Fenton

“I am scared of my husband,” Jessica Fenton stated in divorce documents submitted on June 20, 2017. “I understand that initiating the divorce and this motion will infuriate him. I fear he will retaliate and attempt to harm me. He believes he must always prevail, no matter the cost.”

The documents reveal that Jessica’s estranged husband, Mark Fenton, a well-educated real estate developer involved in an affair, displayed “irrational, unsafe, bullying, threatening, and controlling behavior.” Jessica also mentioned Mark’s threats to abduct their five children and take them to his native country, Greece.

Two years after filing for divorce, on May 24, 2019, Jessica dropped her children off at school and vanished. Nine days later, police apprehended Mark Fenton and his then-girlfriend, Lisa Henderson.

Why Authorities Suspected Mark Fenton in Jessica’s Disappearance

Mark maintained his innocence until his tragic suicide in January 2020. A note found in his vehicle stated, “I don’t want to spend one more hour in jail for something I had NOTHING to do with. Enough is enough.”

However, investigators had significant evidence implicating Mark in Jessica’s disappearance. Besides physical evidence revealed later, Jessica’s divorce filing was crucial. In May 2017, Mark had pressured Jessica to sign an agreement allowing him to move his girlfriend and her daughter into their 15,000-square-foot home in Connecticut. “When I disagreed,” Jessica detailed, “he became furious. I was terrified and fled the house while he shouted at me and chased me towards the road.” The following day, Jessica discovered Mark had purchased an illegal handgun, which he claimed he needed “for protection.”

On the night Jessica disappeared, while investigators were at her residence, surveillance cameras captured a man in a baseball cap disposing of trash bags at various locations in Hartford, CT—30 bags over a four-mile stretch. One bag was discarded in a storm drain.

Mark’s phone records placed him on those same streets at the exact time the man with the baseball cap was seen discarding the bags. Moreover, the individual was driving a black Ford Raptor pickup truck, similar to Mark’s, complete with matching stickers and a license plate that appeared to belong to him. Surveillance footage also showed a woman in the passenger seat.

What Detectives Discovered in the Trash Bags

Although it took a week for detectives to connect the trash bag footage with Jessica’s case, they recovered some of the dumped bags. Inside were sponges, clothing, and zip ties stained with Jessica’s blood. At least one bag contained DNA from Jessica, Mark, and Lisa. Following these findings, Mark and Lisa were arrested for “hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.”

Arrest warrant affidavits revealed that on May 24, detectives found enough blood in Jessica’s garage to suggest a “serious physical assault had occurred.” The next day, they also discovered blood stains inside the house, as if someone had attempted to clean up the scene.

The Red Toyota Tacoma

Police obtained footage from school buses and neighbor security cameras, piecing together a timeline that suggested how Mark executed the crime. Authorities learned he borrowed a red Toyota Tacoma from an employee. This vehicle was spotted by multiple cameras near Jessica’s home before and after the suspected murder.

Police believe Mark used his wife’s Chevrolet Suburban to transport her body. The borrowed Tacoma was seen heading in the opposite direction after approximately six hours. Jessica’s Suburban was later found abandoned in a nearby park.

Five days later, Mark had the borrowed truck cleaned and even suggested changing its seats with those from a Porsche he owned.

Why Mark Fenton May Have Wanted to Harm His Wife

The couple’s bitter divorce was not the sole issue; Jessica’s parents were also suing Mark for unpaid loans exceeding $2.5 million. Jessica’s father, a former senior vice president at Chase Manhattan Bank, had supported Mark’s real estate endeavors financially. Additionally, Mark had limited access to his children due to the divorce. A judge labeled him “a liar who blatantly ignored court orders,” resulting in only supervised visitation.

Tragically, Jessica’s body has never been found. With Mark’s death, it may remain a mystery forever. Their five children are now under the guardianship of Jessica’s mother, Gloria Fenton.

For more information on similar topics, check out our other blog post on home insemination kits and resources like UCSF’s center for pregnancy.

Summary

The case of Jessica Fenton highlights the tragic consequences of domestic abuse and the complexities surrounding divorce. Despite her fears and the evidence against him, Mark Fenton maintained his innocence until his death, leaving many questions unanswered.