The woman charged with masterminding her Microsoft executive ex-husband’s murder tearfully proclaimed her innocence in a newly released 2022 interview — and said she hoped for the arrest of his killer.
Shanna Gardner was taken into custody in August and charged with first degree murder for the ruthless slaying of father-of-four Jared Bridegan in February 2021.
Locked in a bruising custody fight with Bridegan at the time, Gardner found herself a prime suspect in the case and gave several interviews asserting her innocence.
“I hope we can find the person that did this,” she told Action News Jax in June 2022 — roughly five months after Bridegan’s shooting death and a year before she was placed in handcuffs for allegedly orchestrating the crime.
With tearing eyes and halting voice, Gardner — who had twins with the man she’s now accused of killing — said she felt sorry for Bridegan’s family.
“I really am sad,” she said. “I’m sad for his family, sad for Jared’s family. For his kids. I’m sad because this isn’t something that anybody should have to go through. I would never want anybody to experience what we’ve all been experiencing.”
According to police Gardner and her new husband, Mario Fernandez, paid triggerman Henry Tenon to murder Bridegan.
The Microsoft manager had just dropped off the twins he shared with Gardner at her Jacksonville Beach residence and was returning home when he spotted a tire in the middle of the road.
With his 2-year-old daughter Bexley in the backseat, Bridegan was pumped full of bullets after he exited the car to clear the path.
The tot — one of two children he had with his new wife Kirsten — was nearly struck by gunfire. She remained at the scene until a passerby spotted Bridegan’s lifeless body in the street.
Asked why she thought her ex-husband had been ambushed so close to her home, Gardner paused.
“I couldn’t speculate on that,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that it happened anywhere. Wherever things like this happen. And I really feel for everybody that has been affected by this.”
Gardner also told the station at the time that she had no plans to leave Florida, and had fully cooperated with police.
But only months later, she moved to a $1 million home in West Richland, Washington which was purchased by her parents.
Crying once against towards the end of the interview, Gardner said she was distraught by Bridegan’s death.
“It makes me sad for everyone involved,” she said. “For Jared’s family, for his kids.”
Gardner has hired prominent Miami lawyer Jose Baez to defend her against charges that could result in a death sentence if convicted.
Baez, who earned acquittals for accused killers Casey Anthony and former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, entered a not guilty plea on Gardner’s behalf last week.
Bridegan’s sister ripped her sibling’s killers after the Jacksonville hearing.
“I think those responsible thought no one would care about Jared,” Ashleigh Bridegan said. “But his family cared. And all of his children care. Our community cared. And so did many people from all over the country.”