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Ex-Wife Of Slain Microsoft Executive Says She’s Separated From New Husband Charged With His Killing
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez says she’s been separated from her current husband, Mario Enrique Fernandez-Saldana, for “an extended period of time,” following him being charged in the murder of her ex-husband Jared Bridegan.
The ex-wife of a Microsoft executive who was gunned down in a Florida street more than a year ago is attempting to distance herself from her new husband, who’s facing murder charges in the case.
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, whose husband Mario Enrique Fernandez-Saldana was charged this month in Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan’s 2022 killing, is separated from the now jailed man, according to her company.
The couple has been separated for “an extended period of time,” according to a statement obtained by KTVX. The statement was released through Gardner-Fernandez’s family’s company Stampin’ Up!
RELATED: Ex-Wife’s Husband Arrested In Microsoft Executive Jared Bridegan’s Targeted 2022 Killing
“Stampin’ Up! is aware that Mario Fernandez, Shanna Gardner’s current husband, has been arrested in conjunction with an ongoing investigation,” the statement said. “Shanna (Shelli and Sterling’s daughter) and Mario have been separated for an extended period of time. We have no further details about the situation other than what has been reported by the media.”
Gardner-Fernandez’s company declined to comment further on the open investigation into Bridegan’s murder.
On March 16, prosecutors announced that Fernandez-Saldana was indicted for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse in connection with Bridegan’s killing.
Police, who have described Brideagan’s killing as targeted, said he was “gunned down in cold blood” in front of his toddler. On Feb. 16, 2022. Bridegan, 33, was found fatally shot in the roadway by police just steps from his vehicle. He’d been shot four times, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Oxygen.com.
Minutes before his death, authorities said Jared Bridegan was traveling to his Nocatee property after dropping off his twin daughters off at Gardner-Fernandez’s Florida residence. He was shot and killed in the roadway after getting out of his vehicle to investigate a tire that was lying in the road.
Bridegan’s 2-year-old daughter was seated in a carseat in the vehicle’s backseat at the time of her father’s murder. She was physically unharmed.
Fernandez-Saldana is the second suspect to be arrested in connection with Bridegan’s murder.
Henry Tenon, a former tenant of Fernandez-Saldana’s, was also charged with with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon and accessory after the fact to a capital felony and child abuse in the Microsoft executive’s killing. Tenon has since pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is expected to testify against Fernandez-Saldana when the trial gets underway.
"Our investigation has revealed a single link between Jared Bridegan and Henry Tenon," State Attorney Melissa Nelson said at a press conference. "That is Mario Fernandez-Saldana."
Prior to Gardner-Fernandez’s recent statement, she’d denied any involvement in Bridegan’s killing. In a June 2022 interview with The Florida Times-Union, Gardner-Fernandez also refused to speak on her failed marriage with her former husband. Gardner-Fernandez and Bridegan first married in 2010. She described their divorce as “bitter.”
“I don’t see any good in airing our dirty laundry,” she told the newspaper. “Our relationship was pretty complicated and remained pretty complicated.”
Bridegan’s family, meanwhile, said they’re grateful headway is being made in the case following Fernandez-Saldana’s arrest.
"We are here today feeling many emotions," Kirsten Bridegan, Jared's widown, said. "We have great relief knowing that two of the people behind my husband's murder are now behind bars and are no longer a threat to our family. We are also still angry. Angry that they were walking free while we were grappling with the reality that Jared wouldn't be here for any future memories, vacations, or tender moments with our kids."
No other information was immediately available from authorities. The case remains open and active.
