Jared Bridegan Ex-Wife: Who Is Shanna Gardner and What Happened in the Murder Case?

Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, is facing renewed attention following a sentencing hearing for Mario Fernandez Saldana, who was convicted of arranging Bridegan’s murder. During the emotional courtroom proceedings, Bridegan’s widow, Kirsten Bridegan, and other family members described the devastating impact of the killing. Gardner, who has pleaded not guilty to charges connected with her former husband’s murder, is awaiting trial. The case has remained in the public spotlight because of its complicated family history, custody disputes and allegations of a murder-for-hire conspiracy.

Jared Bridegan was a Microsoft employee and father of four who was fatally shot in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, in February 2022. His first wife, Shanna Gardner, shared twins with him, while his second wife, Kirsten Bridegan, was the mother of his two younger children. Investigators allege that a prolonged dispute involving Gardner and Bridegan contributed to the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Who Is Jared Bridegan’s Ex-Wife Shanna Gardner?

Shanna Gardner, also known as Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, is the former wife of Jared Bridegan.

She comes from a wealthy family associated with the Utah-based crafting company Stampin’ Up!, founded by her mother, Shelli Gardner, and her aunt, LaVonne Crosby.

Gardner and Bridegan married when they were young and later became parents to twins. Their marriage eventually ended, followed by disagreements over custody and parenting arrangements.

After their divorce, Gardner married Mario Fernandez Saldana, who subsequently became a central figure in the criminal investigation into Bridegan’s killing.

Gardner was arrested in August 2023 and charged in connection with her former husband’s murder. She has denied involvement and pleaded not guilty.

Jared Bridegan and Shanna Gardner’s Marriage

Jared Bridegan and Shanna Gardner married in 2010 after meeting through their shared religious community.

At the time, both were associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The couple settled in Florida and welcomed twins, a son and a daughter.

However, their relationship deteriorated, and they divorced in 2015.

Following the separation, Bridegan and Gardner shared parenting responsibilities, but their disagreements continued.

Court proceedings and testimony later revealed disputes involving schooling, religious upbringing, medical decisions and custody arrangements.

These conflicts became an important part of the prosecution’s account of the events preceding Bridegan’s murder.

How Many Children Did Jared Bridegan Have With Shanna Gardner?

Jared Bridegan and Shanna Gardner had two children together, twins who were born during their marriage.

The children were central to the couple’s parenting arrangements following their divorce.

Bridegan remained involved in their lives and regularly spent time with them.

On the evening he was killed, he had just dropped the twins off at Gardner’s home following a family outing.

Bridegan also had two younger daughters with his second wife, Kirsten Bridegan.

His youngest daughter, Bexley, was sitting in the back seat of his vehicle when the shooting occurred.

The killing left four children without their father and created lasting difficulties for the extended family.

What Happened to Jared Bridegan?

Jared Bridegan was shot on February 16, 2022, while driving through Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

The 33-year-old had just dropped off his older children when he encountered a tire blocking the road.

He stopped his vehicle and got out to move the obstruction.

Investigators later concluded that the tire had been deliberately placed there as part of an ambush.

Bridegan was shot while his two-year-old daughter remained strapped into her car seat inside the vehicle.

The child was physically unharmed, but the killing shocked the local community.

Investigators spent months examining evidence before identifying suspects in what prosecutors described as a planned murder-for-hire scheme.

Why Was Jared Bridegan’s Ex-Wife Arrested?

Shanna Gardner was arrested in August 2023 after a grand jury indicted her in connection with Bridegan’s murder.

Prosecutors alleged that Gardner and her husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana, participated in a conspiracy to arrange the killing.

According to the prosecution, ongoing disagreements about the twins’ upbringing and custody provided a possible motive.

Investigators also identified Henry Tenon, a former tenant at a property owned by Fernandez Saldana, as the alleged gunman.

Authorities connected evidence from a tire to the investigation and examined financial transactions involving Fernandez Saldana and Tenon.

Gardner has maintained her innocence and has not been convicted.

It is important to distinguish the prosecution’s allegations from facts established by a verdict. Her criminal responsibility remains a matter for the court to determine.

What Happened in Mario Fernandez Saldana’s Trial?

Mario Fernandez Saldana, Gardner’s estranged husband, stood trial in Florida in August 2026.

Prosecutors argued that he had arranged Bridegan’s murder by hiring Henry Tenon.

The prosecution presented evidence involving the tire used to stop Bridegan’s vehicle, communications and payments allegedly connected to the crime.

Fernandez Saldana’s defense challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence and disputed his involvement.

On August 26, 2026, a jury found Fernandez Saldana guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony.

His conviction represented a major development in the case, but it did not establish Gardner’s guilt.

Gardner’s separate proceedings remained pending following the verdict.

What Charges Does Shanna Gardner Face?

Shanna Gardner currently faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Her original indictment included additional charges, but prosecutors subsequently dropped the solicitation and child abuse counts against her.

The changes followed developments in the related criminal proceedings and a decision to consolidate her case with that of Henry Tenon.

Gardner has pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges.

She is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until prosecutors prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Her trial has been postponed several times because of legal disputes and changes involving the other defendants.

When Is Shanna Gardner’s Trial?

Shanna Gardner’s trial is scheduled to begin in May 2027 in Duval County, Florida.

Jury selection is expected to begin on May 3, with trial proceedings scheduled for later that month.

Her case has been combined with proceedings involving Henry Tenon, who is accused of carrying out the shooting.

Tenon previously entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder but later withdrew it.

Both defendants are now awaiting trial on their respective charges.

The scheduled dates remain subject to possible changes through additional court orders.

Who Was Jared Bridegan’s Second Wife Kirsten Bridegan?

Kirsten Bridegan was Jared Bridegan’s wife at the time of his murder.

The couple married after his divorce from Gardner and welcomed two daughters together.

Kirsten became a prominent advocate for justice following her husband’s killing.

She has participated in interviews, court proceedings and public events intended to keep attention on the investigation.

During the criminal proceedings, she also became involved in a legal dispute over whether Gardner’s defense attorneys could obtain access to her cellphone.

An appeals court maintained a temporary stay protecting her from having to surrender the device while the matter remained under review.

Kirsten has continued speaking publicly about the impact of losing her husband and raising their daughters without him.

Jared Bridegan’s Ex-Wife and the Case Today

Shanna Gardner remains one of the defendants awaiting trial in the murder of Jared Bridegan.

Her former husband was killed in February 2022, and investigators subsequently alleged that the shooting was connected to a murder-for-hire conspiracy.

Mario Fernandez Saldana has been convicted for his role in the crime, while Gardner and Henry Tenon still face criminal proceedings.

The case has drawn national attention because of the family’s complicated relationships, the longstanding custody disagreements and the evidence presented during the investigation.

For readers searching for Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner was his first spouse and the mother of their twins. She has pleaded not guilty to murder and conspiracy charges, with her trial currently scheduled for May 2027.