The former Jacksonville Beach woman accused of orchestrating the murder of her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan, is romantically involved with another inmate, sources told The Citizen.
Shanna Gardner — who had two kids with Bridegan — has also been cited for drug possession, theft, disorderly conduct, and possession of a makeshift tattooing instrument.
“I see so much good in him,” she wrote in an April 2024 letter to her sister, Sage Gardner, using her new lover’s preferred pronoun, according to a court filing. “He is a damaged soul. You know me and my broken things.”
Her attorney, Jose Baez, declined to comment on her personal life.
Gardner, who is from a wealthy Mormon family, and her estranged husband, Mario Fernandez, are charged with plotting Bridegan’s Feb. 2022 slaying.
The Microsoft executive — who was locked in a bitter custody dispute with Gardner — had just dropped off their two kids at her home after a visitation the night of his death.
He was traveling home with one of his two kids with his new wife, Kirsten Bridegan, when he came upon a tire in the middle of the road. He got out of his SUV to remove it and was immediately gunned down as Bexley, 2, looked on from the back seat.
Prosecutors said the gunman, Henry Tenon, was tapped to kill Bridegan by Gardner and Fernandez.
Gardner refers to Fernandez in discussing her new relationship. “I could be very good for him,” she wrote to her sibling. “But its like a Mario situation. He would have to be willing to work hard to heal himself, not want me to fix him.”
In a letter to a friend, Gardner reflects on the challenges of domestic life. “Marriage is really hard, like really hard,” she wrote last April. “I should know with two failed marriages!”
That same month, Gardner was cited for possession of unspecified drugs. Corrections officers also noted that she had concealed fishing line under her bunk.
The following month, jail officials again cited her for possession of contraband, but no further information is provided.
Two days later, Gardner was accused of stealing from another inmate, lying to staff and disorderly conduct. No plea of final finding is listed.
Gardner, an officer wrote, was spotted taking items from another cell.
Two months later, she was accused of possession of contraband and a homemade tattoo needle. Gardner told staff that she was set up in the latter case.
Gardner and Fernandez have both pleaded not guilty to murder, and their trial is slated for October.
The alleged triggerman, Henry Tenon, has already pleaded guilty. Prosecutors said he was a tenant of Fernandez and selected to carry out Bridegan’s murder.
Bridegan had two children with his new wife, Kirsten. The widow has actively called for justice in her husband’s shocking murder and has repeatedly pinned blame on Gardner.
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3 Responses
Hope justice comes soon.
Kristen wasn’t with Jared when he was killed just his daughter Bexley was there.Kristin was at home with there youngest daughter.
That’s what it says in the article.