Jared Bridegan Case File

Jared Bridegan was born to Gaylord and JoAnn Bridegan in Warrensburg, Missouri. His family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he graduated in 2007 from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. He later earned a B.S. in digital media, specializing in cinema production, from Utah Valley University in 2014.

Bridegan, a talented professional, held senior roles in UX design and technology, ultimately becoming a senior design manager at Microsoft. He was a devoted father of four, with two children from his ex-wife Shanna Gardner-Fernandez and two with his current wife, Kirsten Bridegan, who had left her role as a Microsoft account manager to become a full-time mother.

February 16, 2022 Jacksonville Beach Police Department received calls reporting multiple gunshots in The Sanctuary Boulevard, a residential area located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida (Duval County). One of the calls reported that a vehicle was blocking the road in the 4000 block of Sanctuary Blvd. The caller stated that a white male was lying next to the vehicle and a toddler was crying in her car seat in the rear passenger side of the vehicle. Witnesses removed the child from the vehicle. When officers arrived at 8:03 p.m., Bridegan was lying in the road with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. His vehicle was in park, running, with his hazard lights flashing. First responding officers with JBPD attempted life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful, and Bridegan was pronounced dead on scene.

Bridegan Case Files

February 23, 2015, Shanna Gardner filed for divorce.

During her marriage to Jared, Shanna Gardner met a trainer at the gym and became involved with him. This connection made her realize she had deeper feelings for the trainer than for her husband. This emotional shift contributed to the strain in her relationship with Jared, eventually leading to their separation.

• Shanna had joined a CrossFit gym after Jared bought her some PT sessions as a gift.
• She allegedly began an affair with the personal trainer.
• Jared found emails between the two. He confronted her, and she told him she didn’t love him anymore.
• Jared told his family members, “I don’t recognize this person. I married a totally different person.’”

Jared had always believed in the sanctity of marriage, but over time, things between him and Shanna began to unravel. Shanna, a confident and driven woman, had always been focused on her career and personal goals. Jared admired her for that, but over the last few months, he noticed a shift in her demeanor. She became distant, emotionally withdrawing from their relationship. The once-strong bond they shared seemed to be fraying at the edges.

The tipping point came when Jared noticed Shanna’s increasing attachment to her personal trainer at the gym. It wasn’t long before Shanna told Jared she wanted a divorce. She insisted that it had nothing to do with infidelity. “We just don’t love each other anymore,” she explained, denying any affair. But Jared couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story.

Heartbroken and confused, Jared reached out to Mallary, a mutual friend who had always been a good listener. In a late-night email, he poured out his thoughts.

“In the past 3 months, Shanna has become really distant and got emotionally attached to her personal trainer at the gym. And now she’s divorcing me. But she has her agency, so I just need to move on and find someone to be my best friend again, ya know.”

The divorce, however, was far from amicable. What started as a mutual decision quickly spiraled into a bitter and contentious battle. The court file grew thicker by the day, with over 300 entries detailing the accusations and counteraccusations between the two.

Bridegan Case Files

Shanna accused Jared of “disturbing and abusive behavior,” alleging that he regularly interrogated their children, coaching them on what to say, and then recording their statements. She claimed Jared threatened to use these recordings against her, painting a picture of a man desperate to maintain control.

Jared, on the other hand, alleged that Shanna had locked him out of the master bedroom, treating him with disdain and disrespect in front of their children. He also accused her of installing surveillance devices throughout their home, a move he saw as a violation of his privacy and a sign of her growing mistrust.

As the court proceedings dragged on, it became clear that the divorce would leave deep scars on both Jared and Shanna. What had started as a marriage filled with love and promise had deteriorated into a battlefield of accusations and hurt. In the end, neither side emerged unscathed, and the children found themselves caught in the middle of a war they never asked to be a part of. Jared knew that moving on wouldn’t be easy, but he also understood that he couldn’t dwell on the past. He had to pick up the pieces of his life and rebuild, hoping that one day he would find someone who could be his best friend again. After his divorce, Jared got engaged to Emily V., but the relationship didn’t work out, and Emily eventually moved back to Utah.

Jared & Kirsten Bridegan

The couple’s story began in the digital world in 2017, where they first met on a dating app Mutual, which is for singles who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the moment she saw his profile, she knew there was something special about him.

“What first struck me was his profile picture. It was of him with his twins,” she recalled, the image of Jared with his children leaving a lasting impression on her.

Jared & Kirsten Bridegan’s love story

Their connection was instant, and it wasn’t long before Jared was making the effort to see her in person. Despite the distance between them, Jared lived in Jacksonville, while she was in Charlotte, North Carolina; he was determined to make it work. Every weekend when he didn’t have his children with him, Jared would drive the long 6 1/2 hours just to spend time with her. These weekend visits became the foundation of their budding relationship, with each visit bringing them closer together.

After about four months of long drives and cherished weekends, she decided to take a leap of faith. She moved to Jacksonville, eager to start a new chapter with Jared. Their relationship, which had started with a simple swipe on a dating app, culminated in marriage in 2017. It was the beginning of what they both hoped would be a lifetime of happiness together.

On October 22, 2017, Jared and Kirsten married and later had two children.

Shanna and Mario’s Marriage

In 2018, Gardner and Mario quietly got married in Jacksonville. It was a private affair, with no one outside their immediate circle aware of the union. To most, it seemed sudden and perhaps even hasty, but Gardner and Mario had their reasons.

“We didn’t know each other very well when we got married,” Gardner later confessed, acknowledging the unconventional nature of their decision.

GARDNER wedding WEDDING OCTOBER 22, 2017

Mario and Gardner had just started dating when they decided to take a trip to Utah to visit her parents. It was an opportunity for Mario to get to know Gardner’s family and to deepen their relationship.

Shanna Gardner’s mother, seeing the connection between them and the challenges Gardner was facing, made a surprising suggestion. “Why don’t you two get married?” she proposed, sensing that it might bring some stability to Gardner’s life.

Gardner was taken aback by the idea. She knew that their relationship was still in its early stages and that marriage was a big step. “We wouldn’t have a typical marriage,” she admitted to Mario later, when they discussed her mother’s suggestion. But there was a certain convenience to the idea, especially when it came to her children’s well-being. Gardner and Mario both wanted what was best for the kids, and they recognized that their partnership could offer a supportive environment.

January 9, 2018: Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana was in the Army and was charged with Forcible Sodomy & Sexual Assault for forcing a recruit under his charge while in his position as a drill instructor in the US Army. The charges were dropped, and he was discharged less than honorable on January 9, 2018.

In 2018, Gardner and Mario quietly got married in Jacksonville. It was a private affair, with no one outside their immediate circle aware of the union. To most, it seemed sudden and perhaps even hasty, but Gardner and Mario had their reasons. “We didn’t know each other very well when we got married,” Gardner later confessed, acknowledging the unconventional nature of their decision.

One of the primary motivations behind the marriage was the children. Mario wanted to help Gardner with her kids, but Jared, Gardner’s ex, was hesitant about allowing another man to be involved in their lives. The only way Jared would agree to Mario’s involvement was if they were married. So, with that understanding, Gardner and Mario took the plunge, formalizing their relationship in a way that allowed Mario to be a part of the children’s lives. It wasn’t the traditional love story, but it was one built on practicality and a shared desire to do right by the children. And in that sense, it was a marriage that, though unexpected, served its purpose.

One evening, while out to dinner, Mario Fernandez Saldana made statements that he could “get four guys,” break into Bridegan’s residence in the middle of the night, and “take care of him and nobody would ever know.”

On January 24, 2022, Jared Bridegan sent Shanna Gardner an email advising her that he was planning to have one of the twins baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Witnesses indicated that Bridegan’s twin daughter was beginning to favor Bridegan and K.B. and wished to be more involved in the Mormon faith. Shannan was angry and against it.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Jared Bridegan had just dropped off his twins at the home of his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, and her husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana, after taking them out for dinner and ice cream.

As he drove home to St. Augustine with his 2-year-old daughter, he stopped for a tire placed in the middle of the road. He was tragically shot multiple times, though his daughter was unharmed and witnessed the entire incident, with several bullets hitting the car and striking within inches of the young girl trapped inside.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Ford F-150

February 16, 2022,

• • • 7:30 pm Jared drops off his nine-year-old twins at his ex-wife’s home
    • 7:50 pm Jared is shot dead while moving a tire from the middle of the road.
    • Jared was found 2.2 miles from Shanna’s
    • The truck is believed to be a dark-colored 2004-2008 Ford F-150. The car has running boards, brown trim, and a silver toolbox.
    • The truck was seen driving on Shetter Ave, passing the Police department close to Shanna and Mario’s house.
    • Police are also asking the residents if they have any home security camera footage between the hours of 6:00 p.m . and 8:30 p.m . on 02/16/22 involving a black in color SUV

Police not only had surveillance audio from neighbors, but they also obtained surveillance video of the ambush murder. The video showed the muzzle flashes and the shooter running off, the reports state. The shooter fired four shots, two hit Bridegan and two hit the SUV.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Ford F-150

Instead of going to Jared’s funeral, Shanna Gardner decided to hold their own celebration. Her family claimed in the blog posted on March 21, 2022, that Gardner, her family, and everybody who knows her were uninvited from the funeral.

After Shanna (along with anyone who knew her) was uninvited from Jared’s funeral services. Shanna and the twins planned their own celebration of life. It was so sweet to see Liam and Abby surrounded by family and friends as they recalled happy memories of their dad. Just before sunset, everyone cut flowers from beautiful arrangements, walked over the dune together, and tossed them into the ocean as a farewell. The guests received heart-shaped cookies, made by Liam and Abby (with their mom’s help, of course!), to thank them for joining in the celebration.

Later, Shanna added: Kirsten offered to arrange to pick up Liam and Abby before the memorial service and then bring them back… but since no one from Jared’s family, including his parents, had reached out to the twins, the twins didn’t want to be without their mom.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Shanna Gardner

February 17, 2022

• Jared Bridegan’s wife, Kirsten Bridegan, spoke with the twins, who asked whether Bridegan had a will, which struck her as very odd. Shanna Gardner maintained a small baking business and was listed as a co-owner of First Choice Home Rentals, LLC. However, the majority of her income came from the trust that was funded by her parents. Apparently, in an effort to keep Bridegan from accessing any of her trust funds and to make Gardner appear impecunious, she maintained very little in her personal account and reported almost no personal income.
• Bank records confirmed that Gardner never maintained more than $2,500.00 in her personal accounts at any time between January 01, 2021, and March 30, 2022, but in April 2022, they indicated an excess of $200,000.
• At the time of Bridegan’s murder, Fernandez Saldana had over $400,000.00 in his account. Investigation further revealed that at the time of Bridegan’s murder, Gardner and Fernandez Saldana were separated and planning to divorce. At the time of the homicide, Shanna Gardner owned a White Model Y Tesla, WA Plate: CFH7529, and the vehicle was primarily driven by Shanna.

February 28, 2022

• Shanna Gardner emailed Kristen, asking for a copy of Jared’s death certificate.

March 16, 2022

• The first interview was held.

March 24, 2022

• Shanna finally responded to a request to FaceTime the kids and said she would like to speak with Kirsten first. She refused to text or email and wanted it to be on the phone.

March 25, 2022

• Phone conversation with Shanna. She agreed to allow one FaceTime call per week between Bexley and the twins.

April 18, 2022

• The kids had their one FaceTime call per week for approximately three weeks until Shanna canceled the call scheduled for April 18 and said there would be no more FaceTime calls moving forward. Kristen responded and asked, “If we could at least speak to them on their birthday, April 20th.” Shanna agreed.

April 19, 2022

• A candlelight vigil was held for Shanna and her twins, who did not attend despite it being an open invitation to any and all.

April 20, 2022

• Last FaceTime call with the twins.
• Kirsten has sent numerous texts asking to be put in contact with the twins. Since then, there has been no response or explanation as to why it cannot happen. Other family members have reached out as well, but their messages have been ignored. The kids have been completely cut off from their dad’s family.

June 2022

• Gardner, 35, gave an interview to the local newspaper, the Florida Times-Union, and insisted she had nothing to do with the execution of her ex-husband.

August 2022

• Jared’s murder remained unsolved.

January 2023

• Shanna moved with her kids to West Richland, Washington, in the Tri-Cities area in southeast Washington State, to live near her friend, Marla Rogers, whom she met in 2020 at a baking conference.

After Jared was murdered, Shanna and her husband, Mario, hired Henry Coxe III, a criminal defense attorney. Shanna told the media she hired him to help protect her family from publicity and to keep her children out of the media. Shanna has also told the media that her children are terrified of the attention focused on them.

“I can’t take it away,” Shanna said. “My kids are 10. They understand everything that is going on. They see this, and they are scared, terrified, and struggling.”

Investigation into the Murder of Jared Bridegan

Records

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Jared Bridegan Routine and Murder

Jared Bridegan’s routine drive home on the night of the incident seemed like any other until it took a tragic turn. He was driving south on Sanctuary Boulevard, a dark, residential roadway, after dropping off his 9-year-old twin children at their mother, Shanna Gardner’s home. Gardner, who shared custody of the twins with Bridegan, lived nearby in Jacksonville Beach with her new husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana. Bridegan’s 2-year-old daughter from his current marriage to Kirsten Bridegan was still in the car, having accompanied him on their regular “date night” dinner with the twins.

As Bridegan followed his usual route home, he turned onto Sanctuary Boulevard, a road that led to J. Turner Butler Boulevard. Unlike the nearby commercial areas, Sanctuary Boulevard was quiet and dark, with no businesses nearby.

While driving, Bridegan encountered a damaged tire lying in the middle of the road, blocking his path. Given the lack of prior vehicles swerving around it, it appeared that the tire had been deliberately placed there to obstruct his way. Analyzing the situation, Bridegan stopped his car, turned on his hazard lights, and opened his door to move the tire. It was a decision that would have devastating consequences.

Moments before the fatal incident, Jared Bridegan had spoken with his wife, Kirsten, who later told investigators that there was nothing unusual in their conversation. Bridegan was unarmed, and there was no sign of a struggle at the scene. His personal belongings, including his wristwatch, wedding ring, phone, money, and wallet, were untouched. His car remained where he had left it, and most crucially, his 2-year-old daughter was physically unharmed, though bullets had struck the interior of the vehicle near where she was strapped in her car seat. Witnesses who arrived at the scene found the child crying, clearly traumatized by the events that had unfolded.

Motion-activated surveillance cameras around the scene showed no indication of the tire being in the roadway before the shooting, further suggesting that it had been intentionally placed to force Bridegan to stop. The tire was later identified as belonging to a 2004 Ford F-150 Lariat, a detail that would become significant in the investigation.

As law enforcement delved deeper into the case, they found a chilling connection between Bridegan and Henry Tenon, a man who would later plead guilty and testify against Mario Fernandez Saldana. Tenon had been a tenant in a home on Potomac Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida, which was owned by Fernandez Saldana. This single link between Bridegan and Tenon pointed to a conspiracy that was far more intricate and sinister than initially believed, ultimately leading to the arrest of Fernandez Saldana on charges related to Bridegan’s murder.

The Night of The Murder

Surveillance of Sanctuary Boulevard shows that vehicles freely passed through Sanctuary Boulevard before the murder, suggesting the tire in the roadway was a ruse to get Bridegan to stop. The tire belonged to a 2004 Ford 150 Lariat. TENON drove a blue 2004 Ford 150 Lariat truck. His DNA has been identified on the tire recovered from the road on which Bridegan was murdered, and TENON admitted to owning the tire when shown a picture of it.

Investigators gathered surveillance video from the area of the murder, and it revealed the presence of a blue-Ford-150 pickup truck. TENON was shown surveillance pictures of the truck near the homicide scene and confirmed it was his truck.

A surveillance picture of the truck, before the homicide, showed an item in the truck’s bed. When shown this photograph, TENON confirmed a spare tire in the truck’s bed. Additionally, the surveillance video revealed the truck traveling to and from the area of the murder about an hour before the murder, suggesting the driver might have been practicing the route. Security camera footage showed the truck driving in front of Bridegan’s car approximately 5 minutes before the murder and attempting to create space between the truck and Bridegan’s car, presumably in an attempt to time the placement of the tire so as to block Bridegan and no other drivers.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

March 1, 2022, Fernandez Saldana Formal Interview.

Fernandez Saldana stated that he attempted to contact Bridegan after marrying Gardner, but Bridegan did not respond. He explained that communication between the two families was typically through text messages and emails. Fernandez Saldana characterized his interactions with Bridegan as persistent and pestering.

Fernandez Saldana recounted an incident where he walked up to Bridegan’s house and knocked on the door. When the children answered, they told him he was not allowed to knock on the door because they usually left the house after receiving a text message indicating the other party had arrived. Fernandez Saldana responded by telling the children that he could do whatever he wanted.

Following this, Bridegan sent him an email warning that he would file a restraining order if Fernandez Saldana ever came to the door again. Fernandez Saldana went on to explain that everyone was usually in the same room only in court. He stated that he once attempted to shake Bridegan’s hand in court, but Bridegan refused to acknowledge him. He further described how Bridegan and his wife would not acknowledge their presence at events involving the children.

Fernandez Saldana explained the date night process when Bridegan came to pick up the children.

Fernandez Saldana described the events of date night on February 16, 2022, the night of the incident.

Mario Fernandez Saldana explained that he was “really out of it” that night due to taking high doses of Gabapentin, a medication that left him “zoned out.” He described feeling “more out of it than anything” that evening.

He also mentioned that both he and Gardner asked the children about their date night. The children said they had gone to Bearded Pig and that the evening was uneventful. They informed Fernandez Saldana that Bridegan had spent some time on the phone before they entered the restaurant.

After the children went to bed, Mario Fernandez Saldana did laundry while Shanna Gardner completed chores around the house. They were preparing for bed when detectives arrived to inform Gardner of Bridegan’s death. Fernandez Saldana noted that when the detectives first arrived, he initially thought their visit might be related to an ongoing dispute over animals in the neighborhood.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

March 1, 2022, Shanna Gardner Fernandez Saldana Formal Interview.

•They eventually had children, which added strain to their relationship, particularly due to their son’s illness.

•They moved from Utah to Connecticut to be closer to specialists for their son, Liam.

•Once Liam’s condition stabilized, they relocated to Jacksonville to be near Jared’s family for support with the children.

•Initially scheduled from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., it shifted to 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. around December 2021 because their daughter, Abby, had gymnastics.

•Jared had wanted to cancel date night, but the children did not, so they adjusted the time.

•The children were typically kept for the full duration, and there was no need to share plans between the parents.

•They would often ask the children what they did when they returned.

•She had made a quick trip to Walmart while the children were with Jared.

•The usual routine was for Jared to text when he arrived, and the children would go out to get into his car.

•At the end of date night, Jared would drop them off, and they would enter the house through the garage.

•She was wearing headphones and cooking dinner after returning from Walmart.

•Mario had a severe headache and was asleep.

•Gardner mentioned that Abby was waiting outside to wave goodbye as Jared turned around in the cul-de-sac and headed for the stop sign.

•Abby was very specific about them being dropped off at 7:48 p.m.

•Gardner confirmed that the children had not mentioned anything unusual about the evening.

•The only thing they brought up was that Jared had been on a work phone call when they first arrived at the restaurant, and they had to eat quickly to make it back home on time.

•She said the children were coping with “this” better than expected, though they were still in shock.

•She explained that since the households are “so divided,” the children were not being overly triggered by the situation.

•However, Liam became upset when it was time for him to visit Jared, and Abby had been talking more about missing her sisters.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Shanna Gardner and Jared Bridegan Twins Interview

On March 4, 2022, the twins were interviewed by members of the Child Protection Team. Their statements contradicted Mario Fernandez Saldana’s account of where he was in the home that night and what he was doing.

The children noted that they believed he was in a back room because the television lights were on, but they never saw him. They also stated that they normally would come back into the house through the garage, but that night, the garage was closed, which was unusual, so they had to use the front door.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Shanna Gardner and Jared Bridegan Twins Interview

On June 28, 2022, investigators interviewed a friend of both Fernandez and Gardner. She recounted a conversation in which Gardner told her, “Mario offered to get four guys and break into Bridegan’s residence…to take care of him, and nobody would ever know.”

The friend also told investigators that Fernandez once told her, “You know I’ve killed people before.” She took that as a threat.

She said Gardner told her she only married Fernandez for child custody reasons, so that it would look good in court, and her parents would give her more money.

Investigators also interviewed a college friend of Fernandez, who dated him. She said Fernandez called her the night after the murder and said he knew who did it, and characterized it as a “hit and run.” She acknowledged that Mario had never made threats toward Bridegan.

Mario Rental Property

Rental house in Jacksonville on Potomac Avenue owned by Mario Fernandez

On July 18, 2022, police went to a rental house on Potomac Avenue in Jacksonville owned by Mario Fernandez, where they spoke with the current occupant and saw a spare tire leaning against the house. The renter said he’d found it on the curb and told police they could have it if they wanted.

As the detective was loading the tire into his truck, Henry Tenon drove up. There was a brief conversation about unrelated things.

Police later tested the tire, and it matched the tire found at the murder scene, so they went back to Potomac Avenue. The current renter told police Tenon went to Georgia to get his father’s blue Ford pickup truck after his father died.

The investigators’ focus then narrowed onto Tenon, especially after police got hits on the truck all over Jacksonville.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Tenon Car and Property Search

In August 2022, Tenon was arrested on an unrelated felony driving charge. He was driving a Ford F-150 truck, and he was questioned about Bridegan’s murder and the Ford F-150 truck that investigators had been searching for since the shooting.

Authorities revealed that a crucial piece of evidence leading to the investigation into Henry Arthur Tenon was his pickup truck, which had been captured on nearby security video. This footage placed Tenon at the scene and sparked further scrutiny into his possible involvement in the crime.

As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered more evidence. An arrest warrant stated that Tenon’s bank records showed three handwritten checks from Mario Fernandez Saldana, all dated in October 2022. This discovery raised suspicions about the nature of their relationship and the potential motive behind the payments.

Search Warrant

On October 6, 2022, a search warrant was executed at 5239 Potomac Avenue. When the warrant was executed, four occupants were found inside the residence: Norma Davila, Devin Hightower, and Dane Hade.

A search of the residence was conducted, and items of interest were collected. Clothing was collected, including a pair of work boots that matched an unknown male observed in the relevant surveillance footage.

One of Tenon’s cellular phones was recovered during the search conducted at 5239 Potomac Avenue. The JSO Digital Forensics Unit performed a forensic download of Tenon’s phone, and an audio recording was discovered between Mario Fernandez Saldana and Tenon.

Controlled Call

On October 6, 2022, at 3:52 p.m., detectives initiated a controlled call between Mario Fernandez Saldana and Tenon to inform him that ATF had served a search warrant at 5239 Potomac Avenue. Fernandez Saldana asked if Tenon had received any contact information or a copy of the search warrant. Fernandez Saldana also wanted to know what was taken from the residence.

Tenon asked why a search warrant would be conducted at Potomac. Fernandez Saldana replied that he did not know and stated, “It does not make sense.” Fernandez Saldana apologized for Tenon having to deal with the situation. The call ended at 3:58 p.m.

Bridegan Case Files

October 14, 2022, Investigators obtained Tenon’s financial records from PNC Bank and discovered three handwritten checks from Fernandez Saldana.

Further analysis of Tenon’s phone records revealed 35 phone contacts with Fernandez Saldana in February, 30 in March, and 5-9 in May and June.

Bank records showed three handwritten checks that Fernandez wrote to Tenon.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Cellphone Activity

January 2022

February 2022

Day Before the Murder

Night of the Murder, February 16, 2022

Post-Murder Evidence and Arrests

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Cellphone Activity

Night of the Murder

• Pre-Murder:
• Mario Fernandez Saldana drove to 5239 Potomac Avenue , the residence of Henry Tenon.
• Saldana left his phone behind at this location, ensuring it remained stationary as he and Tenon departed together.
• Travel to the Crime Scene:
• Saldana and Tenon drove toward Jared Bridegan’s residence.
• They passed the gymnastics studio, a place relevant to Bridegan’s child.
• They arrived at the homicide scene, executed the ambush, and then returned to 5239 Potomac Avenue.
• Post-Murder Movements:
• Tenon’s device reappeared at 5239 Potomac Avenue.
• Shortly after, Saldana’s phone departed, indicating his separation from Tenon after their return.

Investigation & Evidence:

• • Detective Interrogation:
  • Investigators questioned Tenon about his work and social activities.
  • He had no personal or professional ties near Bridegan’s residence.
  • Location History Findings:
  • Tenon and Saldana made no additional stops beyond those linked directly to the homicide and the victim.
  • Tenon had no prior knowledge of:

• Jared Bridegan
• Bridegan’s residence
• The gymnastics studio where Bridegan’s child attended
• The only plausible source of this information was Mario Fernandez Saldana, confirming his role in the planning and execution of the crime.

August 18, 2022, Arrest

August 18, 2022: Tenon was detained during a traffic stop with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Henry was placed under arrest for felony traffic charges, and he was transported to the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (“CGIC”) to be interviewed in reference to the murder.

Jan. 25, 2023, Jacksonville Beach PD Chief Gene Paul Smith and State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced the arrest of Henry Arthur Tenon, 61, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to a capital felony, and child abuse.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Henry Arthur Tenon

January 25, 2023

• Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith and State Attorney Melissa Nelson held a press conference to announce a major breakthrough in the case.

Henry Arthur Tenon, 61, was arrested and charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit murder
• Second-degree murder with a weapon
• Accessory after the fact to a capital felony
• Child abuse
• Authorities revealed that Tenon had conspired to murder Jared Bridegan on January 4, 2022, more than a month before the ambush.

Key Evidence

• Investigators obtained surveillance audio from neighbors.
• Video footage captured the moment of the ambush, showing muzzle flashes and the shooter fleeing the scene.

March 16, 2023

Guilty Plea & Arrest of Mario Fernandez Saldana:

• Henry Tenon pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to cooperate with investigators.
• His testimony provided crucial details that led to the arrest of Mario Fernandez Saldana.
• Saldana, 34, was taken into custody in Orlando.
• His arrest carried significant weight, as he was the husband of Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife, further deepening the case’s complexity.

August 18, 2022 Arrest

Prosecutors announced Mario Fernandez Saldana was indicted by a grand jury Thursday morning and arrested in Kissimmee, Florida. His arrest came hours after a man previously charged in Bridegan’s killing, Henry Tenon, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the crime.

Fernandez was indicted on first-degree murder, child abuse, and other charges. State Attorney Nelson said the investigation remains active and ongoing and has not stopped today with the arrest of Mario Fernandez.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Mario Saldana and Henry Arthur Tenon

Mario Fernandez Saldana Arrest and Indictment

Prosecutors announced that Mario Fernandez Saldana was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday morning and arrested in Kissimmee, Florida. His arrest came hours after Henry Tenon, who had previously been charged in Jared Bridegan’s killing, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the crime.

Fernandez Saldana was indicted on first-degree murder, child abuse, and other charges.

Charges Announced

State Attorney Melissa Nelson said a Fourth Circuit grand jury returned indictments against Fernandez Saldana for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse.

The child abuse charge stems from the fact that Bridegan’s then-2-year-old daughter, Bexley, was directly in harm’s way during the shooting.

According to the arrest warrant, the totality of evidence established that Fernandez Saldana was a principal to Bridegan’s murder and that Fernandez Saldana solicited, conspired with, and assisted others involved in Bridegan’s murder.

Phone Records Between Tenon and Fernandez Saldana

Motive and Financial Transactions

Subpoenas were issued for all known bank accounts and credit cards for Fernandez Saldana and Shanna Gardner. Their house was held jointly. All other accounts were held individually.

Shanna Gardner ran a small baking business out of her home. The majority of her income came from an irrevocable trust funded by Gardner’s parents. Fernandez Saldana was listed as a trustee on the trust.

Trust records stated: “When our daughter, Shanna, shall have no further legal entanglements with her ex-husband, Jared G. Bridegan, she may elect to serve as trustee.”

Financial Records and Bank Transactions

According to the arrest warrant, bank records showed three handwritten checks that Fernandez Saldana wrote to Tenon. About forty-five days after the murder, Tenon deposited three checks written to him by Fernandez Saldana. The checks were written on an account held by First Choice Home Rentals LLC. Gardner and Fernandez Saldana were listed as owners.

First Choice Home Rentals received incoming transfers from Gardner’s trust account, which was funded by her parents. During a search warrant executed at the Fernandez Saldana address on Potomac Avenue, police recovered a safe containing $2,000 in cash, which was substantially more than Tenon typically had, based on the investigation.

One of Tenon’s phone audio recordings was recovered, capturing a conversation in which Tenon discussed a money transfer. Tenon said he was waiting for $5,000 to clear at the bank and that he would pay with it. The recording occurred two days after Tenon deposited the last payment he received from Fernandez Saldana.

Joint Accounts and Trust Records

Subpoenas were issued for all known bank accounts and credit cards for Fernandez Saldana and Shanna Gardner. Their house was held jointly. All other accounts were held individually.

Shanna Gardner ran a small baking business out of her home. The majority of her income came from an irrevocable trust funded by Gardner’s parents. Fernandez Saldana was listed as a trustee on the trust.

Trust records stated: “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.”

Mario Fernandez Saldana was also listed as the owner of the two vehicles they possessed. Fernandez Saldana also relied on trust as his primary source of income. He received a small amount of income from rental properties and provided personal training from his garage. Fernandez Saldana also applied for and received benefits from the Veterans Administration for disability despite being ineligible due to his less-than-honorable discharge.

Motive

In reviewing financial records, investigators discovered that the majority of Gardner’s income came through an irrevocable trust funded by Gardner’s parents. Fernandez Saldana was the listed trustee. The trust language provided: “When our daughter, Shanna, shall have no further legal entanglements with her ex-husband, Jared G. Bridegan, she may elect to serve as trustee.”

Investigation Strategy and Planned Actions

Contact with Gardner’s Associate

Controlled Media Leak

Official Press Conference Announcement

Press Conference and Arrest Announcement

JBPD would publicly announce the arrest of Henry Tenon on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, tampering with evidence, and child abuse.

Media Engagement and Public Reaction

Following the press conference, Bridegan’s family members would provide select media interviews to discuss the case. This media engagement would coincide with Tenon’s first court appearance, ensuring widespread public and media attention.

Judicial Oversight and Future Actions

If these actions failed to elicit useful information from the target subjects, investigators would pursue alternative investigative techniques. Should further steps be necessary, judicial approval would be sought from Judge Charbula for additional legal measures.

All intercepted communications would be minimized in accordance with Chapter 934, Florida Statutes, ensuring compliance with legal restrictions on surveillance.

Murder Opportunity

According to investigators, Shanna Gardner had a motive to murder Bridegan and the means to do so. Fernandez Saldana and his associates allegedly had the unique opportunity to murder Jared Bridegan because he had a routine. Every other Wednesday night, Bridegan had dinner with the twins from his marriage with Gardner and brought his 2-year-old daughter so she could get to know her half-siblings.

On the night of his murder, Bridegan dropped the twins off at his ex-wife’s home in Jacksonville Beach after dinner and then headed to his home in Nocatee. Fernandez Saldana and Gardner knew Bridegan’s dinner schedule with his daughters and knew the route he would take.

Affidavit for Arrest Warrant

Mario Fernandez Saldana was arrested and indicted for the murder of Jared Bridegan, according to a press release. Indictment

Stampin’Up Statement

As a Stampin’ Up! leader, we feel it’s important to communicate with you regarding a Gardner family matter. Stampin’ Up! is aware that Mario Fernandez, Shanna Gardner’s current husband, has been arrested in conjunction with an ongoing investigation. Shanna (Shelli and Sterling’s daughter) and Mario have been separated for an extended period. We have no further details about the situation other than what has been reported by the media.

We understand that some demonstrators have received troubling comments about this matter on their social media platforms. Please feel free to delete comments of an inappropriate nature and block/report those commenters on your personal accounts. You may also share this email with your teams if needed. Stampin’ Up!’s longstanding commitment to you, and all of our demonstrators, is unwavering.

Arrest of Gardner Shanna Lee

On August 17, 2023, Shanna Lee Gardner, the ex-wife of Jared Bridegan, was indicted on first-degree murder charges in connection with the conspiracy that led to his ambush killing. She was arrested in Washington state, where she had been living.

Prosecutors in Florida are seeking the death penalty against both Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana.

On October 20, 2023, Gardner was booked into custody in Jacksonville, FL, and formally charged with murdering the father of four.

Shanna Gardner Arrest

February 6, 2023

At approximately 4:51 p.m., Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with officers from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and West Richland Police Department, executed a federal search warrant on the home, person, and vehicle of Shanna Gardner Fernandez in West Richland, Washington.

The residence was located at 4754 Laurel Drive, West Richland, Washington 99353. Upon arrival, Shanna Gardner Fernandez was detained by the West Richland Police Department for a search of her person.

Agents contacted Gardner Fernandez’s mother, Shelli Gardner, at the entrance to the home. ATF Special Agent Kenneth Stengel asked Shelli Gardner if she had a cell phone on her, and she indicated that her phone was on the kitchen counter. ATF Special Agent Katlin Standiford was asked to conduct a frisk of Shelli Gardner, which yielded no contraband.

Gardner Fernandez was notified by Special Agent Stengel of the federal warrant to search the home. She was asked to wait with her grandchildren and their dog in the home office located just off the main entrance.

While waiting in the office, one of the twins asked, “What are they looking for?” Standiford responded, “We’re looking for phones.” The response was, “Like burner phones?” Standiford was also told that the child’s mother kept all of her “important” electronics in her bedroom closet. The child then whispered “up above,” while pointing toward the ceiling. Shelli Gardner added that the closet was also where she kept the candy.

Items Seized During the Search of the Residence

Items Seized From Shanna Gardner Fernandez’s Person

February 23, 2022

• One week after Bridegan’s murder, and precisely seven years after Gardner filed for dissolution of their marriage, a suggestion of death regarding Jared Bridegan appeared in the records of their dissolution case with the St. Johns County Clerk of Court.
• By all accounts, in the months and years preceding the murder, Gardner wanted to leave the State of Florida with her children. However, her dissolution decree prevented her from permanently leaving the state with the children without either an agreement from Bridegan or a court order.
• With Bridegan’s death, Gardner became free to leave the state with her children, which she did. With no further legal entanglements with her ex-husband, she was also able to control her trust funds.

August 17, 2023

• Shanna Gardner Fernandez was taken into custody on the morning of Thursday, August 17, 2023, at her home on Laurel Drive in West Richland, Washington, by ATF agents from Yakima and Jacksonville. She was later booked into the Benton County Jail for her alleged involvement in the February 2022 murder of Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
• A grand jury in Florida indicted Gardner, who was later arrested in Washington state. ATF’s Jacksonville field office had been assisting Jacksonville Beach Police Department detectives since early in the investigation.
• Gardner was expected to be extradited to Duval County to face charges that included first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and child abuse.
• Mario Fernandez Saldana’s indictment stated that he plotted the murder within the four months leading to Bridegan’s death. Gardner’s indictment stated that she may have been scheming to kill Bridegan as early as May 2015, a few months before their divorce was finalized.
• Authorities reported that Bridegan was shot multiple times on a one-way road while driving home. The man accused of carrying out the shooting had already been arrested.

Murder of Jared Bridegan

Recap Timeline:

2009 to Marriage

• Shanna Gardner and Jared Bridegan marry and begin their family life.
• Over time, disagreements begin forming around finances, parenting, and expectations.

2010 to 2015 to Family Life

• Shanna and Jared grow their family and move through several relocations.
• Stressors in the marriage increase.
• Gardner begins expressing dissatisfaction with Jared’s parenting style and control dynamics.

2015 to Separation and Divorce Filing

• Gardner and Bridegan separate.
• Divorce proceedings begin, marking the start of what becomes a multi-year custody conflict.
• Litigation soon grows contentious, involving attorneys, mediators, and repeated court interventions.

2015 to 2021 to High Conflict Divorce and Custody Battles

• Gardner and Bridegan engage in extensive court battles over custody, expenses, parenting time, and decision-making authority.
• Gardner frequently portrays Bridegan to friends as controlling and difficult.
• Bridegan expresses concern about Gardner’s behavior and decision-making.
• Over this period, tension escalates, and communication becomes strained.

2017 to 2018 to Gardner Meets Mario Fernandez

• Gardner enters a new relationship with Mario Fernandez.
• Fernandez becomes increasingly involved in family matters.
• Bridegan objects to some of Fernandez’s behavior around the children.
• Gardner and Fernandez’s relationship continues to deepen.

2019 the Marriage of Gardner and Fernandez

• Gardner marries Fernandez.
• Financial and parenting tensions with Bridegan escalate further.
• Fernandez complains to friends about Bridegan’s involvement and litigation.
• The trust fund arrangement places Fernandez in a position of financial control as Trustee.

2020 to 2021 to Trust Structure Becomes Significant

• Gardner relies heavily on her irrevocable trust for income.
• The trust contains a clause that she may become Trustee only when she has no remaining legal entanglements with her ex husband.
• This clause later becomes a major investigative motive factor.
• Fernandez manages trust funds, giving him financial incentive aligned with eliminating Bridegan.

2021 to Instability in Gardner and Fernandez’s Marriage

• Gardner expresses dissatisfaction and discusses divorce.
• Fernandez tells associates that he and Gardner are divorcing.
• They privately separate while publicly claiming they remain together.
• Gardner begins establishing residency in Washington State.
• Fernandez relocates primarily to Orlando.
• Despite separation, both still appear united in issues involving Bridegan.

Late 2021 to the Formation of the Murder for Hire Scheme

• Communication between Fernandez and Tenon increases.
• Tenon becomes financially dependent on Fernandez through rental housing at 5239 Potomac Avenue.
• Gardner’s expressed frustration with ongoing court battles intensifies.
• Investigators later identify this period as the inception of planning.

January 5, 2022 to First Practice Run (Tenon)

• Location data shows Tenon driving a route that later matches the ambush path.
• Investigators classify this as a reconnaissance run.

January 29, 2022, to Second Practice Run

• Tenon repeats a nearly identical route.
• Supports theory of premeditation and staged planning.

Early February 2022 to Divorce Planning and Custody Stress

• Gardner and Fernandez inform the twins’ school that they are planning a divorce.
• Gardner moves to Washington State.
• Fernandez lives in Orlando.
• Bridegan continues battling Gardner in court hearings.
• Fernandez discusses the ongoing legal conflict and expresses hostility toward Bridegan.

February 16, 2022, to the Day of the Murder

Afternoon

• Bridegan completes the regular Wednesday parenting schedule with the twins.
• Drops the twins at Gardner’s Jacksonville Beach home.
• This routine has been stable for eight months, giving Fernandez and Tenon predictable timing.

Before 6:00 p.m.

• Both of Tenon’s phones go dark.
• Fernandez reduces communication during the pre murder window.
• Gardner communicates normally earlier in the day but plays no direct role at the scene.

6:57 p.m. to The Ambush

• A tire is placed in the roadway along a route Bridegan routinely takes after dropping the twins off.
• Bridegan stops his vehicle.
• Tenon shoots and kills Bridegan.
• Bridegan’s two-year-old daughter remains inside the vehicle and survives.
• Tenon flees the scene.

Post Murder

• Approximately forty minutes later, one of Tenon’s phones reconnects near Beaches Baptist Hospital.
• The second phone attempts to contact the first.
• Investigators conclude Tenon was on foot with one phone while the other remained in or near the truck.

February to April 2022 to Aftermath and Payment

• Fernandez resumes communication with Tenon.
• Gardner tells friends the death may have been road rage.
• Tenon deposits three checks from First Choice Home Rentals LLC:
• March 28: two thousand dollars
• March 29: three thousand dollars
• April 4: five thousand dollars
• Payments flow from Gardner’s trust to Fernandez’s LLC to Tenon.
• Recording on Tenon’s phone shows him discussing waiting for five thousand dollars to clear.

June 28, 2022 to Gardner’s Friend Statement

• Friend reports Gardner said Fernandez could get four men to take care of Bridegan.
• Friend reports Fernandez claimed he had killed people before.
• Gardner allegedly admitted marrying Fernandez for financial and custody advantages.

July 18, 2022, to Tire Discovery at Tenon’s Rental

• Spare tire recovered from 5239 Potomac Avenue.
• Forensics confirm it matches the tire used in the ambush.
• Tenon arrives during collection of the tire.
• Renter provides key details linking Tenon’s truck to the crime.

August 2022 to Device and Google Data

• Fernandez drives to Tenon’s residence, leaves his phone, and travels with Tenon along the murder path.
• Fernandez returns to retrieve his phone after Tenon reconnects.
• Investigators identify this as clear coordination.

October 6, 2022, to Search Warrant Execution

• ATF and JBPD search the Potomac Avenue home.
• Recover Tenon’s phone, boots, clothing, and cash.
• Digital extraction includes audio discussing the five-thousand-dollar payment.
• Controlled call to Fernandez reveals nervous reaction.

January 2023 to Arrest of Henry Tenon

• Tenon is charged in connection with the murder.
• Begins cooperating shortly afterward.

Early 2023 to Tenon Cooperation

• Tenon implicates Fernandez as the organizer and the source of payment.
• Confirms money transfers and planning.
• Details the murder process and involvement.

2023 to 2024 to Evidence Consolidates

• Prosecutors build a framework linking:
• Gardner’s financial motive
• Fernandez’s coordination and payment
• Tenon’s role as shooter
• Witness statements reinforce the motive and prior statements expressing a desire to see Bridegan gone.
• Trust documents establish a significant financial incentive.

2025 to Prosecution Structure Finalized

• Tenon was identified as the shooter.
• Fernandez identified as a planner and financier.
• Gardner identified the motive source as tied to financial and custody outcomes.
• Combined evidence results in a full murder for hire narrative used in court proceedings.

May 2025

• According to Duval County Jail inmate Emmanuel Alexander, he and Mario Fernandez engaged in numerous conversations about the Jared Bridegan murder case while incarcerated together in the Duval County Jail. Alexander later reported the conversations to prosecutors.
• Alexander said Fernandez appeared increasingly stressed about his criminal case and told him that his hair was falling out because of the pressure.
• According to Alexander, Fernandez referred to Jared Bridegan’s widow as an “evil bitch” and claimed she was raising money to secure his release from jail. Alexander said Fernandez approached him with a plan to help “frame the widow” after Alexander’s anticipated release.
• Alexander alleged that Fernandez wanted him to contact Fernandez’s brother and attorney after his release so that letters could be sent to media organizations and law enforcement agencies. According to Alexander, the purpose of the letters was to portray Henry Tenon as dishonest and to suggest that Jared Bridegan’s widow was responsible for the murder. Alexander said Fernandez wanted false information included in the letters, including claims that Jared Bridegan was secretly going to gyms to look at men.
• Alexander stated that Fernandez provided him with cases involving alleged prosecutorial misconduct and wanted him to use those materials to attack Henry Tenon and shift attention away from Fernandez.
• According to Alexander, Fernandez stated that Shanna Gardner was the “MM,” meaning mastermind, behind the murder plot and that Fernandez was supposed to be the “executioner.” Alexander reported that Fernandez made a nonverbal acknowledgment indicating the statement was true.
• Alexander alleged that Fernandez claimed Henry Tenon had been “drugged out,” “drunk,” or both at the time of the murder and repeatedly discussed ways to undermine Tenon’s credibility.
• Alexander further alleged that Fernandez asked for assistance in “setting Judge Kite up” because Alexander was a Freemason. The filing does not provide additional details regarding the alleged plan.
• According to Alexander, Fernandez also discussed a sealed case involving a twelve-year-old girl in the Carolinas and claimed that Judge London Kite had concealed information proving he had been set up by the widow.
• Alexander said Fernandez frequently reviewed his discovery materials and insisted prosecutors had no evidence against him. Fernandez allegedly claimed there were problems with the State’s timeline and maintained that someone associated with the prosecution had secretly switched sides and was assisting the defense.
• Alexander reported that Fernandez discussed Henry Tenon’s incarceration in Nassau County and later told him he was attempting to persuade Tenon to recant previous statements after Tenon was transferred back to the Duval County Jail.

February 4, 2026

• Emmanuel Alexander provided information to prosecutors regarding the alleged statements Mario Fernandez made during their shared incarceration at the Duval County Jail. Alexander gave a sworn statement to investigators; however, according to the State, the audio recording was later lost due to technical issues with the court reporting service’s electronic recording system.

April 1, 2026

• Prosecutors conducted a second recorded, sworn statement with Emmanuel Alexander after the earlier recording was lost. During the interview, Alexander reiterated allegations that Fernandez had attempted to recruit him into a scheme to frame Jared Bridegan’s widow and discredit Henry Tenon.
• Alexander stated that Fernandez told him Henry Tenon and Jared Bridegan’s widow had passed each other on the night of the murder and that Fernandez wanted to use that fact to cast suspicion on her and have her treated as a defendant in the case.
• Alexander again alleged that Fernandez described Shanna Gardner as the “MM” or mastermind behind the murder and himself as the individual who was supposed to be the “executioner.” Alexander reported that Fernandez indicated through a nonverbal response that the characterization was accurate and that he had carried out the plan.

April 15, 2026

• During a meeting with prosecutors, Maria Biggerstaff reported that John Biggerstaff told her his son had “come over today and was wearing a wire.” Maria Biggerstaff was unable to recall the exact date of the alleged conversation. The information was disclosed by the State as Giglio material.

April 24, 2026

• Serena Dent was charged by Information with Battery in a Detention Facility, a third-degree felony, in Duval County Case No. 162026CF002377. The State disclosed the charge as Giglio material.

May 28, 2026

• The State of Florida filed its Sixteenth Supplemental Discovery Exhibit in the cases against Shanna Gardner, Mario Fernandez-Saldana, and Henry Tenon. The filing formally disclosed Emmanuel Alexander as an informant witness and provided notice of the allegations he reported to prosecutors.
• The State also disclosed the existence of a packet of letters and a book provided by Alexander, a recorded sworn statement, a latent print report, and an FDLE firearms report that would be provided upon receipt. Prosecutors further disclosed that Alexander had pending charges for attempted second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and witness tampering, along with two prior felony convictions. The State represented that Alexander had never previously cooperated in another criminal case and had not been promised any benefit in exchange for his cooperation.