Slain Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife Shanna Gardner Fernandez and her husband Mario Fernandez-Saldana arrested alongside killer, Henry Tenon, in his murder.
On February 16, 2022, Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan’s life was cut short when he was ambushed and killed by gunfire in front of his two-year-old daughter.
After a thorough investigation into the incident, his ex-wife whom he was in a nasty custody battle over their kids, Shanna Gardner Fernandez, and her new husband Mario Fernandez-Saldana were accused to have had a hand in his death.
They were charged with hiring a hitman named Henry Tenon to kill her ex-husband Jared Bridegan.
Disturbing bodycam footage shows arrest of Shanna Gardner. She has been taken into custody in August 2023 in West Richland, Washington, about three hours east of Seattle.
Below are everything we know about the murder of Jared Bridegan and people arrested so far.
Who is Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez?
While visiting Florida in 2009, Shanna Gardner met her future ex-husband, Jared Bridegan.
The Utah native was a long way from home because she was visiting a friend in the Floridian city of Jacksonville.
Shanna is the daughter of Sterling and Shelli Gardner, the co-founders of Stampin’ Up! – an arts and crafts company.
In April 2010, Shanna and Jared tied the knot and held their wedding ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah.
At some point after the birth of their twins, the couple moved to Connecticut.
Regarding the move to Connecticut, a source told Fox News: “That’s when the cracks really started to show.”
The source also claimed that Jared found provocative emails between Shanna and her personal trainer, which resulted in her revelation that she stepped out of their marriage.
The source shared: “It was like having someone you knew and loved do a complete 180.
“Jared was like, ‘I don’t recognize this person. I married a totally different person.'”
When did Jared and Shanna divorce?
On February 23, 2015, Shanna filed for divorce from Jared and requested primary custody of their two children together.
During their courtroom showdown, the former couple disagreed on the demands made by the other regarding property, alimony, custody, and child support.
On May 17, 2015, Jared accused Shanna of spying on him and invading his privacy.
Fox obtained an email between the late Microsoft executive and his lawyer that stated: “This is enough!!!
“I should have every damn right on my own property to not constantly be under-recording or monitoring by Shanna.”
Jared added: “I want the flipping gates of Hell released on her for this.”
Months later in July 2015, the two were able to reach a divorce settlement.
How did Jared Bridegan die?
On February 16, 2022, Jared’s life was cut short when he was ambushed and killed by gunfire in front of his two-year-old daughter.
Shanna, her new husband Mario Fernandez Saldana, and killer Henry Tenon are currently the accused of murdering him.
Tenon allegedly shot Bridegan while he was in the car with his two-year-old daughter, who saw the entire incident.
The father stopped to move a tire out of the road near Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
That’s when he was gunned down.
The child remained in the car unattended for about three minutes, when a motorist passing by stopped to help.
They went on vacation with Jared and Shanna’s children weeks after the killing.
Who is Kristen Bridegan and what has she said in this murder case?
Kristen Bridegan is the new wife of late Microsoft executive, Jared Bridegan.
The victim remarried, Kristen, after the separation.
Bridegan’s new wife was at home with their seven-month old daughter at the time of the killing.
She spoke out after Gardner-Fernandez’s arrest.
The next chapter for her will be “excruciating,” the single mother said, but she is confident that justice will be served, according to a series of tweets from WTLV’s Katie Jeffries.
How did Shanna react to Jared’s death?
On June 14, 2022, it was revealed that Shanna hired a criminal defense lawyer.
Shanna’s lawyer, Henry Coxe III, issued a statement to Fox Digital and disclosed that he was hired by the former and her second husband Mario “for the purpose of seeing if steps could be taken to protect her young twins from any publicity surrounding this tragic event.
“As for any other reason for the family to have or need counsel, whether it be myself or anyone else, there is none.”
Months after the killing of her late ex-husband, Shanna spoke out regarding the tragic incident.
On June 30, 2022, she told local CBS affiliate Action News Jax: “I do want people to understand where I’m coming from.
“I was asked to not talk to the media or give a public statement. I’ve tried really hard to do that. But with a level of speculation, I felt now it was necessary to speak out.
Shanna recalled Jared’s deadly tragedy: “I’m sure that day…I would say that we’ve had happy moments.
“I mean, we share the two most beautiful children in the world. I might be a little biased. I remember my son, tucking him in, and him saying it was a good date night.
The Jacksonville, Florida native added: “I found out in the middle of the night, and I was shocked.
“I fell to the floor because I was devastated. What was I gonna have to tell the kids? A complete shock. They were, I think, in shock. They were very emotional and that was kind of the beginning of their journey.”
She said while reflecting on their history: “Anytime divorce comes into any situation, it’s messy. It just is … I really want to respect his family and him. And I will say that I think that we both love our kids.”
Shanna concluded: “Even though we didn’t always get along, he was still the father of my kids.
“No. I did not have anything to do with his murder. I consulted with a criminal defense attorney for my kids. He was referred to me by several friends and ultimately my kids’ images and videos were being used in the media without consent.”
Was anyone arrested in connection with Jared’s death?
On Thursday, March 16, 2023, Florida authorities announced they had arrested Mario Fernandez Saldana, Shanna’s husband.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson revealed on Thursday that suspect Henry Tenon, who was arrested for Bridegan’s murder on January 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and confessed to authorities he fired the fatal shots.
“Henry Tenon has admitted he was, in fact, the shooter,” Nelson said.
Saldana was indicted by a grand jury and arrested on first-degree murder charges.
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez is the latest to be arrested in Jared Bridegan’s murder.
As police investigated Jared Bridegan’s homicide, the attention turned toward his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez.
On August 17, 2023, Bridegan’s ex-wife was arrested in connection to his death. Her arrest was shown in a newly released released body camera footage.
Shanna is accused of orchestrating the murder with the help of her new husband Mario Fernandez Saldana, 35, who allegedly hired Henry Tenon, 61, to shoot Bridegan.
She faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, and child abuse, according to Action News Jax.
In body camera footage obtained by Law & Crime, Gardner-Fernandez can be seen walking out of her home barefoot and handcuffed in a pair of shorts and a black t-shirt.
Officers allowed her to put on long pants and a pair of sandals.
“Where are your jeans, mom?” one of Gardner-Fernandez’s children could be heard asking during the arrest.
“I love you, honey,” the mother said as officers led her to a police cruiser.
Gardner-Fernandez was also allowed to bring her prescription medication to the jail.
Where is Shanna Gardner-Fernandez now?
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in court at a later date.
Gardner-Fernandez has been charged first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and child endangerment
Attorney Nelson said at the time that her office intends on seeking the death penalty against Shanna.