The widow of murdered St. Johns County executive Jared Bridegan is suing his alleged killers — including his ex-wife Shanna Gardner, The Citizen has learned.
Kirsten Bridegan — who had two children with her slain spouse — is seeking civil damages from Gardner, her estranged husband Mario Fernandez, and accused triggerman Henry Tenon, a Duval County court filing reveals.
Representing her late husband’s estate, Bridegan asserts that Gardner “harbored a deep hatred” for her ex over custody and financial disputes and had him killed.
“This was not a crime of passion. This was a cold, calculated execution,” wrote attorney Douglas Clifton in the lawsuit.
Gardner and Fernandez have pleaded not guilty.
Shot Dead
On the night of February 16, 2022, Jared had just dropped off the twin children he shares with Gardner at her Jacksonville Beach home when he drove off with his then two-year-old daughter, Bexley, in the back seat.
On his way back home to St. Johns County, Bridegan encountered a tire in the middle of the road. After he exited his vehicle to remove it, he was shot several times and killed.
Bexley — who later recalled hearing the gunshots that killed her father — remained alone in her car seat for several minutes before a bystander approached and called police.
Prosecutors assert that Tenon — then a tenant of Fernandez – committed the murder.
The suit accuses Gardner and Fernanez of orchestrating the crime. All three parties have since been arrested and are awaiting trial.
The Triggerman
The suit alleges that Gardner and Fernandez funneled money from the Shanna Gardner Irrevocable Trust—which he controlled—to First Choice Home Rentals, LLC, a business they co-owned.
From that account, Fernandez allegedly wrote a check to Tenon as partial payment for the hit, the suit states.
Law enforcement later confirmed that Tenon’s DNA was found on the discarded tire, and he has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
In his plea deal, he admitted to pulling the trigger and has agreed to testify against his alleged co-conspirators.
Money Moves
Gardner and Fernandez married in 2018, but the lawsuit describes their relationship as a “marriage of convenience” that enabled Fernandez to help Gardner raise her two kids with Bridegan.
Gardner’s parents, wealthy Utah-based entrepreneurs, had created a financial safety net for their daughter, depositing “significant amounts of money” into the irrevocable trust under Fernandez’s control.
The lawsuit highlights what it casts as an ominous clause in the trust’s documents.
“When our daughter, Shanna, shall have no further legal entanglements with her ex-husband, Jared G. Bridegan, she may elect to serve as the Trustee,” the suit states.
Bridegan’s widow contends that Gardner had her husband killed to obtain full custody of their twins and regain control of her finances.
In addition to the wrongful death allegations, the lawsuit accuses Gardner and Fernandez of manipulating various accounts to avoid civil claims down the road.
After Jared’s death, Gardner and Fernandez allegedly sold two homes and funneled the proceeds into “unknown accounts,” some controlled by family members.
“These transfers were made with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors,” the lawsuit alleges.
Awaiting Trial
Gardner and Fernandez are currently awaiting trial for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse.
Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty.
“This was a murder fueled by hatred, greed, and the cold calculation of people who believed they could get away with it,” the lawsuit states.
The suit seeks damages for economic losses, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering for Jared’s surviving wife and four children.
Gardner’s lawyer, Jose Baez and Jesse Dreicer, didn’t immediately comment on Bridegan’s suit.
4 Responses
You should have used her mugshot photo!
I’m so glad something is finally getting done. I have followed this whole story since day one!! Justice needs to be served. This has dragged on too long. Heavenly Father will make things right and he will end this in the right way. Please end this trial soon.
I think it’s great that they are finally being held financially responsible for doing this.! These two people are pure evil and took a great man away from his loving family. His children will never know him! I hope this goes through the court system quickly!
I hope Kirsten gets everything the Gardner family owns!