Justice For Jared Bridegan: Ex-Wife Arrested And Could Face Death
Episode 131, Aug 21, 2023, 10:00 AM
In a gripping and tragic twist of events, the ex-wife of a high-ranking Microsoft executive, Jared Bridegan, has been indicted and charged with his gruesome murder in Jacksonville, Florida. State Attorney Melissa Nelson brought this shocking revelation to light during an intensive news briefing. The crime, which had previously baffled Florida law enforcement, is now unraveling, revealing the sordid details behind the calculated assassination of a loving father and accomplished professional.
Jared Bridegan was not just any software developer. He was a crucial asset to tech giant, Microsoft, and an affectionate father to four children. The cruel nature of his demise on February 16, 2022, left the community in shock. On that fateful evening, after responsibly ensuring the safety of his twin children in a Jacksonville Beach neighborhood, Jared encountered an unexpected obstacle. In a dimly-lit street lay a stray tire. As any good Samaritan would, he attempted to move it for the safety of others. Unbeknownst to him, this act of kindness would be his last. He was ambushed and shot multiple times, leaving his two-year-old daughter abandoned yet thankfully unharmed in her car seat.
The name at the heart of this scandal? Shanna Lee Gardner, aged 36. This startling development came as her former husband, Jared's wife, Kristen Bridegan, stated, "From the onset, everything within me believed she had a hand in this." But what could be the possible motive behind such a heinous act? The couple's tumultuous past reveals a trail of clues. Court records describe their divorce as "highly acrimonious", painting a picture of intense discord and a "contentious relationship" that extended even to Gardner’s current husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana.
In another startling turn, it was divulged that the state is not only pursuing the death penalty against Shanna Gardner but also against Mario Fernandez Saldana. Represented by Jesse Dreicer, Fernandez Saldana firmly asserts his innocence. Dreicer, expressing faith in the forthcoming exoneration of his client, emphasized that, “He has pleaded not guilty and remains innocent until proven otherwise.”
However, the case took on more weight when the alleged hitman, Henry Arthur Tenon, aged 62, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. His plea came with a caveat: Tenon agreed to testify against both Fernandez Saldana and Gardner, drawing clear lines of connection between the parties involved.
State Attorney Nelson, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the crime, declared, “Henry Tenon didn’t act in isolation. Mario Fernandez didn’t devise this alone. Shanna Gardner’s indictment underscores her pivotal involvement in Jared Bridegan’s calculated assassination.”
Post the murder, as media interest spiked, Gardner found refuge far from Florida in West Richland, Washington. She staunchly maintained her innocence in interactions with the media. Nevertheless, an arrest warrant for Gardner surfaced, underscoring the tumultuous nature of her relationship with Bridegan.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Gardner's parents, Shelli and Sterling Gardner, expressed their profound grief, emphasizing the significance of family during such challenging times. They lovingly supported their daughter and highlighted the challenges faced by the grandchildren amidst this media frenzy, urging respect for privacy.
For the Bridegan family, this revelation isn't an end but merely a chapter closed. Kristin Bridegan, still grieving, said, “Shanna’s arrest concludes a distressing chapter in our quest for justice for Jared. Yet, this is only the beginning. We anticipate a harrowing journey ahead but are determined to see justice served to its full extent.”
As the case unfolds, the world watches intently, anticipating further revelations and awaiting justice for a father whose life was taken all too soon.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
Jared Bridegan was not just any software developer. He was a crucial asset to tech giant, Microsoft, and an affectionate father to four children. The cruel nature of his demise on February 16, 2022, left the community in shock. On that fateful evening, after responsibly ensuring the safety of his twin children in a Jacksonville Beach neighborhood, Jared encountered an unexpected obstacle. In a dimly-lit street lay a stray tire. As any good Samaritan would, he attempted to move it for the safety of others. Unbeknownst to him, this act of kindness would be his last. He was ambushed and shot multiple times, leaving his two-year-old daughter abandoned yet thankfully unharmed in her car seat.
The name at the heart of this scandal? Shanna Lee Gardner, aged 36. This startling development came as her former husband, Jared's wife, Kristen Bridegan, stated, "From the onset, everything within me believed she had a hand in this." But what could be the possible motive behind such a heinous act? The couple's tumultuous past reveals a trail of clues. Court records describe their divorce as "highly acrimonious", painting a picture of intense discord and a "contentious relationship" that extended even to Gardner’s current husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana.
In another startling turn, it was divulged that the state is not only pursuing the death penalty against Shanna Gardner but also against Mario Fernandez Saldana. Represented by Jesse Dreicer, Fernandez Saldana firmly asserts his innocence. Dreicer, expressing faith in the forthcoming exoneration of his client, emphasized that, “He has pleaded not guilty and remains innocent until proven otherwise.”
However, the case took on more weight when the alleged hitman, Henry Arthur Tenon, aged 62, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. His plea came with a caveat: Tenon agreed to testify against both Fernandez Saldana and Gardner, drawing clear lines of connection between the parties involved.
State Attorney Nelson, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the crime, declared, “Henry Tenon didn’t act in isolation. Mario Fernandez didn’t devise this alone. Shanna Gardner’s indictment underscores her pivotal involvement in Jared Bridegan’s calculated assassination.”
Post the murder, as media interest spiked, Gardner found refuge far from Florida in West Richland, Washington. She staunchly maintained her innocence in interactions with the media. Nevertheless, an arrest warrant for Gardner surfaced, underscoring the tumultuous nature of her relationship with Bridegan.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Gardner's parents, Shelli and Sterling Gardner, expressed their profound grief, emphasizing the significance of family during such challenging times. They lovingly supported their daughter and highlighted the challenges faced by the grandchildren amidst this media frenzy, urging respect for privacy.
For the Bridegan family, this revelation isn't an end but merely a chapter closed. Kristin Bridegan, still grieving, said, “Shanna’s arrest concludes a distressing chapter in our quest for justice for Jared. Yet, this is only the beginning. We anticipate a harrowing journey ahead but are determined to see justice served to its full extent.”
As the case unfolds, the world watches intently, anticipating further revelations and awaiting justice for a father whose life was taken all too soon.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com