CASE FILE: Woman M*r.d/e.rs Stepdad After Finding ‘Secret Photos’ of Herself
CASE FILE: THE JADE JINKS H.0M/IC./ID/E INVESTIGATION
Woman Murders Stepdad After Finding “Secret Photos” of Herself: The Tom Marman Death Case
Homicide Investigation & Trial Report
Narrative by Detective Brian Coldwel
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department – Major Crimes Division
PROLOGUE – THE DAUGHTER WHO TURNED AGAINST THE MAN SHE CALLED “DAD”
Some homicide cases begin with a clear motive.
Others begin with a relationship that appears impossible to understand.
For years, Jade Sasha Jensen and Thomas “Tom” Marman had what many people described as an unusually close bond.
Tom was not her biological father.
But to Jade, he became something more.
She called him her dad.
He called her his daughter.
Their relationship formed after Jade’s mother married Tom, and over time, they became emotionally connected through family struggles and difficult circumstances.
Jade said Tom helped provide stability during her childhood.
She trusted him.
She defended him.
She believed he was someone she could always rely on.
But in December 2020, everything changed.
While helping Tom at his home after he suffered serious health problems, Jade claimed she discovered something horrifying on his computer:
Private photographs of herself.
She alleged that Tom had secretly collected inappropriate images of her over many years.
According to Jade, the discovery shattered her perception of the man she trusted.
Weeks later, Tom was found dead.
His body was discovered in his own driveway, wrapped in a blanket and hidden beneath trash, tools, and cardboard boxes.
Investigators quickly focused on Jade.
She had been the last person known to see him alive.
She had his phone.
She had moved his body.
And a friend had already called 911 claiming Jade admitted killing her stepfather.
But Jade’s defense told a different story.
They argued that Tom had manipulated and violated her trust for years.
They claimed his death was not a planned murder, but the result of panic after an accidental overdose.
Prosecutors disagreed.
They argued Jade had created a plan, drugged Tom, attempted to conceal his death, and lied to authorities.
At the center of the trial was one impossible question:
Was Jade Jensen a cold-blooded killer who murdered the man she once called her father?
Or was she a traumatized woman reacting to years of betrayal and manipulation?
CHAPTER 1 – THE FAMILY BOND THAT SEEMED UNBREAKABLE
Before the murder investigation, Jade Jensen and Tom Marman shared a relationship that appeared unusual but close.
Jade first met Tom when she was around 14 years old.
At the time:
Her mother had remarried
She had a younger half-brother named Cash
Tom became part of her family structure
Initially, Jade did not see Tom as a father figure.
But over time, their relationship changed.
CHAPTER 2 – TOM BECOMES THE FATHER FIGURE
As Jade grew older, Tom became more involved in her life.
Jade described how her mother struggled with:
Substance abuse issues
Mental health problems
Unstable behavior
During difficult periods, Jade said she, Tom, and her younger brother relied on each other.
They eventually lived together as a family unit.
Jade described Tom as someone she trusted completely.
She said:
He was someone she believed would always protect her.
CHAPTER 3 – THE LIFE THEY BUILT TOGETHER
As an adult, Jade became successful.
She worked as an interior designer.
She built her own business.
She lived near Tom in California.
Although they were not always constantly together, they remained connected.
Tom continued visiting Jade.
They spent time together.
To outsiders, they appeared to have a family relationship that survived years of challenges.
CHAPTER 4 – THE FIRST WARNING SIGNS
According to Jade, some things about Tom later began to feel uncomfortable.
She described certain behaviors that she viewed differently in hindsight.
Examples included:
Unexpected visits
Personal comments
Boundary issues
Jade said Tom would often tell her:
“Nobody will ever love you like I do.”
At the time, she said she did not view the statement as dangerous.
Later, she reconsidered its meaning.
CHAPTER 5 – TOM’S HEALTH DECLINES
By late 2020, Tom’s health had deteriorated.
He had:
A pacemaker
COPD
Sleep issues
Medication needs
He had also suffered multiple falls.
Jade became involved in helping him.
She assisted with:
Transportation
Medical needs
Recovery
CHAPTER 6 – THE MEDICATION ISSUE
One important part of the investigation involved prescription medication.
Jade admitted she sometimes gave Tom her own prescribed medications.
She said Tom would ask for medication, and she provided it.
The medications included:
Trazodone
Gabapentin
Klonopin
Investigators noted that combining certain medications with alcohol or other substances could create dangerous effects.
CHAPTER 7 – THE HOSPITAL STAY
In December 2020, Tom suffered another serious fall.
He broke multiple ribs.
He was hospitalized for several weeks.
On December 31, 2020, Tom was released.
Jade picked him up from a healthcare facility.
He was discharged with medications including:
Ambien
Oxycodone
Trazodone
This became one of the most important moments in the timeline.
CHAPTER 8 – THE ALLEGED DISCOVERY ON TOM’S COMPUTER
Jade later claimed that while cleaning Tom’s home, she accidentally activated his computer.
She said she discovered:
Nude photographs of herself
Images that appeared to have been collected secretly
Files she believed violated her privacy
Jade said the discovery changed everything.
She described feeling:
Shocked
Betrayed
Angry
Afraid
She told investigators she believed Tom might harm her if he discovered she knew.
CHAPTER 9 – THE NIGHT BEFORE TOM’S DEATH
According to investigators, Jade contacted someone named Alan Roach, known as “the fixer.”
Messages showed Jade discussing:
“A plan.”
She referenced Tom’s medical condition and his recovery.
Prosecutors argued these messages demonstrated preparation.
CHAPTER 10 – THE TEXT MESSAGES THAT CHANGED THE CASE
Investigators recovered text messages from Jade’s phone.
Several messages became central evidence.
One message stated:
“I just dosed the hell out of him.”
Prosecutors argued this showed Jade intentionally drugged Tom.
The defense argued the context was more complicated.
CHAPTER 11 – THE “WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S” MESSAGE
Another message became one of the most discussed pieces of evidence.
Jade wrote:
“It’s going to be Weekend at Bernie’s.”
The reference came from a movie where characters attempt to disguise a dead person as alive.
Prosecutors argued this showed Jade knew Tom was dead and was planning concealment.
CHAPTER 12 – THE BODY IN THE TRUNK
According to investigators, after leaving the hospital, Tom ended up in Jade’s vehicle.
Jade’s messages suggested she struggled with moving him.
She contacted others for help.
She wrote that she was unable to carry him alone.
She indicated Tom was in her trunk.
CHAPTER 13 – THE 911 CALL THAT EXPOSED THE CASE
On January 1, 2021, Jade’s friend Adam Siplac called 911.
He told dispatchers that Jade had said she killed her stepfather.
He said Jade asked him to help move the body.
Adam told police he refused.
He later explained that he was afraid and did not know what to do.
CHAPTER 14 – THE SEARCH FOR TOM
Authorities conducted a welfare check.
They searched Tom’s property.
Initially:
Tom was missing.
Jade was the last known person with him.
Investigators immediately focused on her.
CHAPTER 15 – THE DISCOVERY OF TOM’S BODY
After obtaining a search warrant, investigators made a shocking discovery.
Tom’s body was found:
In his driveway
Wrapped in a blanket
Hidden beneath trash and cardboard boxes
The missing person case became a homicide investigation.
CHAPTER 16 – THE AUTOPSY RESULTS
The medical examiner determined:
Cause of death:
Acute intoxication combined with suffocation/strangulation
Investigators concluded Tom did not simply die from natural causes.
CHAPTER 17 – JADE’S ARREST
Jade was arrested and charged with murder.
The prosecution argued:
She drugged Tom
She concealed his body
She attempted to hide evidence
She lied about his location
CHAPTER 18 – THE PROSECUTION THEORY
The state argued Jade had a motive.
They claimed:
Tom’s death would benefit Jade.
She had access to his affairs.
She had control over certain legal matters.
Prosecutors argued her actions were calculated.
CHAPTER 19 – THE DEFENSE THEORY
Jade’s defense presented a different explanation.
They argued:
Jade loved Tom
Their relationship had been genuine
She did not plan to kill him
The defense claimed Tom died from an overdose.
They argued Jade panicked.
CHAPTER 20 – THE SECRET PHOTO CLAIM
A major issue at trial was the alleged photographs.
Jade testified that finding them destroyed her trust in Tom.
She claimed:
She felt violated
She feared him
She acted emotionally
However, prosecutors argued the photos were never found.
CHAPTER 21 – THE EVIDENCE AGAINST JADE
Prosecutors focused heavily on:
Text messages
Body concealment
The 911 call
Her changing explanations
They argued these actions proved consciousness of guilt.
CHAPTER 22 – THE JURY DELIBERATION
The jury reviewed:
Digital evidence
Witness testimony
Medical evidence
Timeline inconsistencies
After more than a day of deliberation, the verdict was reached.
CHAPTER 23 – THE VERDICT
On December 21, 2022:
Jade Sasha Jensen was found guilty of murder.
The jury rejected the defense argument that Tom’s death was only an accident.
CHAPTER 24 – SENTENCING
In March 2023, Jade appeared for sentencing.
She spoke about her relationship with Tom.
She described years of alleged manipulation and trauma.
She apologized for her actions.
The court considered both sides of the case.
CHAPTER 25 – THE FINAL SENTENCE
Jade Jensen received:
25 years to life in prison
She became eligible for parole after 25 years.
She is currently serving her sentence at the Central California Women’s Facility.
FINAL NOTE – DETECTIVE BRIAN COLDWEL
The Jade Jensen case remains one of the most complicated family homicide investigations because it involved two competing stories.
One story:
A daughter figure who discovered a horrifying betrayal and reacted in fear.
Another story:
A woman who planned and carried out the murder of the man she once called her father.
The jury ultimately decided the evidence supported murder.
But the case continues to raise difficult questions about:
Trust
Family boundaries
Manipulation
Trauma
Responsibility
Tom Marman was not simply a victim in a case file.
He was a father figure.
A husband.
A member of a family.
Jade Jensen was not simply a defendant.
She was someone whose relationship with Tom shaped her entire life.
The tragedy came from a relationship that began with trust and ended with death.
CASE STATUS: CLOSED – CONVICTION OBTAINED
DEFENDANT: JADE SASHA JENSEN
VICTIM: THOMAS “TOM” MARMAN
SENTENCE: 25 YEARS TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
KEY EVIDENCE: TEXT MESSAGES / DIGITAL FORENSICS / AUTOPSY FINDINGS / BODY CONCEALMENT
