MICROSOFT MURDER
Who was Jared Bridegan?
A FAMILY was met with anguish and mystery as a man was gunned down in front of his daughter in February 2022.
As the investigation into Jared Bridegan's murder continues, it was revealed on August 17, 2023, that the ex-wife of the slain Microsoft executive has been arrested in connection to her former husband's murder.
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Who was Jared Bridegan?
Jared Bridegan was a Microsoft graphic design and user experience manager who resided in Jacksonville, Florida.
On February 16, 2022, Jared was murdered on his way home after he stopped his vehicle and proceeded to remove a tire on the road that was hazardously in the way.
At that point, he was ambushed by an individual who shot and killed him in front of his two-year-old daughter.
The ambush took place after the father of four dropped his two older kids off at his ex-wife's house.
While speaking with , Jared's wife Kirsten told the outlet how she found out about her husband's demise.
Kirsten revealed: "I took the route we normally take to get to the beach."
"And I kept calling his phone. And then one of the policemen answered it. And that’s when I knew my gut feeling was right and something was really wrong."
Jared's widow added: "And I asked if my husband was OK and I was just told to drive to the police station."
"And I asked it again the same thing just come to the police station. But that my daughter was okay."
Although Jared and Kristen's two-year-old daughter witnessed the murder of her father, she was left unharmed.
To honor her late husband's memory, Kristen held a candlelight vigil and tribute to him in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
The late Microsoft manager and father of four's described him as "an awesome husband, father, son, and friend to many."
"More than anything in life he enjoyed spending time with his children."
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Who are Jared Bridegan's murder suspects?
On January 25, 2023, police made a breakthrough in the case when they arrested Henry Tenon.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced the charges, which include conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact to a capital felony, child abuse, and second-degree murder.
During a press conference, Nelson also revealed that Tenon "did not act alone."
After he was taken into custody, Tenon confessed to shooting and killing Bridegan. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is expected to assist local authorities with their investigation.
On March 16, 2023, another arrest was made as Mario Fernandez Saldana was also taken into custody. Saldana is the husband of Bridegan's first ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez. Saldana was charged with first-degree murder.
On August 17, 2023, it was revealed that Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, 35, was arrested on Thursday, five months after her new husband, Mario, was also arrested in relation to Bridegan's murder.
According to Nelson, Gardner-Fernandez was arrested in Washington and will be extradited to Duval County.
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Gardner-Fernandez is reportedly facing charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, and child abuse.
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