Microsoft executive’s wife breaks silence after he's shot dead in front of baby
The wife of a Microsoft executive who was shot to death in front of his infant daughter has spoken out for the first time since his ex was arrested for the murder.
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, 35, was taken into custody in Washington State on Thursday, August 17. She was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and child endangerment in relation to the death of Jared Bridegan, 33.
The 33-year-old software developer for Microsoft was shot to death on February 16, 2022, in an affluent suburb of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. His new wife Kirsten Bridegan has now spoken out after Gardner-Fernandez was arrested.
She said the next chapter of her life will be "excruciating" but Kirsten is confident justice will be served, according to local network WTLV's Katie Jeffries. The reporter added: "She also says her heart is also with Jared's oldest children, Liam and Abby."
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez was charged with first degree murder in relation to her ex-husband's death (Facebook)
Jared Bridegan, with current wife Kirsten, was a dad-of-four (Gofundme)She continued: "Kirsten asks the Gardner family to please let Liam and Abby reconnect with the Bridegan family.
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"Kirsten says from early on she suspected Shanna was behind Jared's murder."
Gardner-Fernandez's is the third arrest in the case, along with her new husband Mario Fernandez, 34, and his former tenant, Henry Tenon, 61, who were previously arrested for their suspected role in Mr Bridegan's death. When Fernandez was arrested, Kirsten said: "We have fought hard for the truth. We know there's still a long way to go before all those responsible are truly held accountable."
The dad-of-four and his ex-wife divorced in 2015, but continued to fight in court over finances and custody of their twins. The night of the shooting Mr Bridegan had dropped his 10-year-old twins off at Gardner-Fernandez's house in nearby Jacksonville Beach.
Mario Fernandez was arrested previously for his suspected role in Mr Bridegan's murder (Jacksonville Beach Police)
Henry Tenon, 61, was a former tenant of Mario Fernandez (Jacksonville Beach Police Depart)He had stopped when he saw a tyre lying in the middle of the road. But when he got out to move it, he was gunned down in front of his two-year-old daughter.
The young girl, Bexley, witnessed the entire incident, with several bullets hitting the car, striking within inches of the young girl trapped inside, according to court papers.
The traumatised toddler was sat in the car for three minutes, right by her dad's deceased body before a passerby noticed and stopped to help. Kirsten was at home with Mr Bridegan's seven-month-old daughter, London, at the time.
Jared, Kirsten and their baby (Kirsten Bridegan/Facebook)Gardner-Fernandez moved to West Richland, Washington, around three hours east of Seattle, shortly after the murder. She is set to be extradited back to Florida for the trial.
She also reportedly barred the twins from having contact with their half-sisters - Bexley and London. Suspicions were raised about Gardner-Fernandez after a tattoo parlour owner said she once inquired about a way to "get rid of" Mr Bridegan. She admitted making the statement to a local newspaper but denied any role in the crime.
A fundraiser set up to help support the victim's family reads: "Jared was 33-years-old and was an amazing husband, father, brother, and son. He was full of life and loved spending time with his four kids and wife."
According to her mum Bexley has been left traumatised and recoils at loud noises. “She heard the noises of the shots that killed her dad, and she was alone wondering what happened to him, and he’s not answering her for minutes — and minutes are an eternity for a child,” she said.
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