A slain Microsoft executive’s ex-wife shared how she sat down with his widow to tell their children he was dead – months before she was charged with orchestrating his murder.
A tearful Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, 36, described the moment she and Jared’s widow Kirsten Bridegan told their children the tragic news ‘as a family’ in a clip from an interview with Action News Jax recorded just months after Jared February 2022 murder.
‘It was a very quick visit,’ Shanna said. ‘She came over just because she asked to be there to tell the children. And we just wanted it very clear that this is to honor his memory. We didn’t want too many details even though we disagreed. I think we all can agree that we love the kids, and they needed to be the priority.’
After that visit, Kristen embarked on a mission for justice that lasted over a year but would eventually see Shanna and her current husband, Mario Fernandez-Saldana charged with hiring a hitman to kill Jared.
Jared 33, was shot dead in an execution-style killing in front of his then two-year-old daughter as he drove back from dropping off his twins with Shanna at her home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Jared had twins with Shanna and two young daughters with Kristen.
In a newly revealed clip from a July 2022, a tearful Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, 36, described the moment she and Jared’s widow told their children the tragic news ‘as a family’
Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan was shot on February 16 in what police described as a murder-for-hire killing
Mario Fernandez-Saldana’s former tenant Henry Tenon, 62, acted as the gunman in the killing and reportedly confessed to the plot after being arrested for an unrelated crime.
In the July 2022 interview, Shanna said Jared’s death had been difficult for the twins.
‘It’s their father,’ the alleged killer said. ‘They were, I think in shock. They were very emotional. And that was kind of the beginning of their, their journey.’
At the time of the murder the former spouses were locked in an acrimonious custody battle that had been raging since their divorce in 2015 and centered on their ten-year-old twins, Abby and Liam.
Shanna told Action News Jax she met Jared on a blind date in Salt Lake City and they had a whirlwind romance.
‘We married soon after dating. Within a couple of years, we had the twins. And, you know, any time kids come into the mix, it’s a lot,’ she said about the breakdown of the five-year marriage.
When asked about the divorce, she said it was messy but did not provide details.
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, seen here, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges relating to her ex-husband Jared Bridegan’s murder
Suspected gunman Henry Tenon, 62, (left) has said he is willing to testify that Mario Fernandez-Saldana, 35, and his wife hired him to kill Jared
‘We had a really complicated relationship,’ Shanna said. ‘Out of respect for Jared and his family, it doesn’t do any good to air dirty laundry. It doesn’t help anybody.’
Kristen has said that Shanna cut all contact with the twins after Jared’s murder.
In an emotional interview, Kirsten, 36, told DailyMail.com of her ‘satisfaction’ about Shanna’s arrest.
Shanna’s arrest came 547 days after the father-of-four was killed execution style just minutes from his ex-wife’s home.
Jared was shot multiple times at close range in what police described as an ‘ambush’ and ‘targeted’ attack. Speaking at the time Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said that when Jared stepped out of his car he was ‘gunned down in cold blood.’
Fernandez-Soldana’s presence in his children’s lives was also a worry to Jared, according to those who know the family.
The father was described as a ‘devout’ Mormon who was working as a software developer for Microsoft. His widow Kristen has said she will support the death penalty if his ex-wife is convicted.
Henry Tenon has pleaded guilty for his role as triggerman in the alleged plot that saw the young father-of-four lured out into the road and gunned down at point blank range while his then two-year-old daughter Bexley was strapped in her child seat in the back of the car.
He admitted that he was lying in wait, ready to execute Jared when he stepped out to remove the obstacle from the road.
Shanna’s parents issued a statement after her arrest, which said: ‘Words cannot accurately express the depth of our sadness. Family is our top priority.
‘We love our daughter and are focused on supporting her and our entire family as we help our grandchildren navigate this difficult and very confusing time.
‘For their sake and all involved, we caution against further speculation and request privacy as the legal process runs its course.’
Gardner faces the death penalty and is charged with first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, conspiracy to commit murder and child abuse.