Photo Credit: Independent

Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, the ex-wife of the late Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan, has been apprehended in Washington state and will be returned to Florida’s Duval County to face charges related to his murder. The arrest comes after she was indicted by a grand jury on counts of first-degree murder and child abuse in relation to the tragic incident.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson stated, “Our commitment from the start of this investigation was to unveil the complete truth behind Jared’s murder.” The prosecution is also seeking the death penalty for both Shanna Gardner-Fernandez and her spouse, Mario Fernandez.

Previously, Henry Tenon, a former tenant of Fernandez, and Mario Fernandez had already been charged for their alleged involvement in the murder that occurred in February 2022 in an affluent neighborhood of Jacksonville Beach.

Jared Bridegan, a father of four, lost his life as he returned home after dropping off his shared twins with Shanna Gardner-Fernandez. The incident unfolded when his vehicle encountered a tire obstruction in the road. As he attempted to address the issue, he was tragically shot multiple times in front of his two-year-old daughter, Bexley, who was secured in her car seat. Thankfully, she narrowly escaped being injured by the bullets.

Bridegan and his ex-wife had divorced in 2015 and were engaged in legal battles involving custody and financial matters. Following the murder, Gardner-Fernandez hired a prominent criminal defense attorney and relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where she severed contact between the twins and their half-sisters.

Henry Tenon, aged 62, was charged earlier with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to a capital felony, and child abuse. Despite already being detained on unrelated charges, Tenon agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder and cooperate as a witness against Fernandez and any other possible accomplices.

Mario Fernandez was arrested in Orlando on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse. Tenon’s testimony indicated that he was the actual shooter. Fernandez, who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, has been denied a plea deal. The indictment disclosed that he had issued three checks to Tenon and that call records evidenced more than 70 conversations between the two men before and after the tragic event.

Source: Independent