Florida woman named Kirsten Bridegan is in the grips of the law after orchestrating the murder of her husband Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan. Kirsten and her new lover Mario Fernandez are now facing first-degree murder.
Reports say Kirsten was spotted beaming with smiles while on vacation with Mario a few weeks after the murder and now, the law is here to deal with them!
A Florida woman charged with orchestrating the murder of her ex-husband happily vacationed with her new spouse and the victim’s two children just weeks after the slaying.
Along with a hired triggerman, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez and Mario Fernandez now both face first-degree murder raps for the Feb. 2022 shooting death of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach.
Roughly five weeks after the killing, the seemingly carefree couple frolicked at the Sandpiper Bay resort in Port St. Lucie.
Gardner-Fernandez’s mother, paper company executive Shelli Gardner, posted numerous pictures of the foursome on her blog in March — roughly five weeks after Bridegan was gunned down.
“For spring break, we drove with Shanna and her family to Club Med Sandpiper Bay, an all-inclusive resort, in Florida. It reminded us of a cruise…only on land, and we had so much fun!” Shelli wrote.
The images show Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez smiling in several pictures with the two kids, including one shot showing Bridegan’s ex sipping a frozen drink.
Along with her husband Sterling, Shelli Gardner runs the successful Stampin’ Up company based in Utah. There is no suggestion either had any knowledge at the time of the vacation of any link between Jared’s murder and their family.
According to Fox News, the couple purchased their daughter a home in Washington after she left Florida following Bridegan’s death.
Doting dad Bridegan was driving home after dropping off the twins he shared with Gardner-Fernandez when he encountered a tire in the middle of the road which blocked his path.
His 2-year-old daughter Bexley — one of two children he had with his new wife Kirsten — was sitting in the backseat.
Bridegan was shot dead after exiting his vehicle to remove the tire — with several bullets nearly striking the child.
The tot remained in the backseat for several minutes until a passerby came upon the scene and called police.
Bridegan and his ex-wife had been locked in a years-long custody fight despite officially divorcing in 2015, and investigators probed her potential involvement.
Gardner-Fernandez had married Fernandez after her split from Bridegan and the couple lived together in the upscale Jacksonville suburb.
The case broke with the January arrest of Henry Tenon, a tenant of Fernandez, who was charged with firing the fatal bullets at Bridegan. He pleaded guilty in the case and agreed to testify against Fernandez, who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in March.
Gardner-Fernandez, who has previously denied any role in the crime, was arrested last week and hit with the same charge.
Kirsten Bridegan suspected her husband’s ex was orchestrating his death from the outset and barred her from attending his funeral.
Shelli Gardner made mention of that dispute in a March 21 blog entry, telling readers Shanna and her friends held a separate ceremony to honor Bridegan.
“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,” she wrote.
She posted 70 pictures from the occasion — including images featuring Shanna Gardner-Ferndandez and her husband.
Shelli Gardner wrote that Bridegan’s two children “recalled happy memories of their dad” at the event.
“Just before sunset, everyone cut flowers from beautiful arrangements, walked over the dune together, and tossed them into the ocean as a farewell,” she wrote.
Gardner-Fernandez could face the death penalty if convicted. In one photo she is shown leading her kids toward the surf.
In an unusual move, she is fighting extradition from Washington to Florida and is scheduled to appear back in court next month.
Kirsten Bridegan has vocally criticized the Gardners for “isolating” the twins from their half siblings and paternal relatives after her husband’s murder.
“Words cannot accurately express the depth of our sadness,” the Gardner family said in a statement following last week’s arrest.
“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.”
Some women are cold-hearted, why do you have to orchestrate the killing of your own husband? Why don’t you leave him if you have fallen out of love for him? I hope justice is served in the murder case.