Ex-Mormon mom charged with plotting Microsoft exec’s murder had affair with personal trainer, accused ex of gold digging
The Florida woman charged with plotting the murder of her Microsoft executive ex-husband broke up their marriage by having an affair with a personal trainer — and accused her former spouse of eyeing her family’s wealth, newly released court documents reveal.
The papers give a detailed account of an interview police conducted with Shanna Gardner-Fernandez just weeks after Jared Bridegan was pumped full of bullets as his 2-year-old daughter looked on in horror.
Gardner-Fernandez, who was arrested 18 months later and is now facing the death penalty if convicted in the case, coolly told investigators on March 2022 that she wanted the case solved so she could move on with her life.
Hailing from a wealthy Mormon family, she told police she married Bridegan after two months of dating because she was “desperate” — and had only a tepid interest in him at the time.
“She stated looking back she wonders if Jared had ulterior motives, knowing she came from money,” according to the court document.
Describing her dead former spouse to cops as insular and controlling, Gardner-Fernandez volunteered that she had strayed during their marriage.
Gardner-Fernandez fell for her personal trainer at a YMCA near their home in Jacksonville Beach.
“Shanna stated she met a trainer at the gym and became emotionally involved with him,” the papers state. “This made her realize she had greater feelings for the trainer than she did for her husband. She stated, ‘this was the beginning of the end.’ “
Gardner-Fernandez described Bridegan as a “hermit” during their marriage, and said he “only wanted to hang out with her or play with his ‘toys.'”
Prior to her relationship with the trainer, Bridegan, a devout Mormom, would try to police her clothing choices, Gardner-Fernandez told cops.
“Jared would not let her have friends,” the filing states. “And be suggestive about how she should appear and dress.”
Despite their disputes, Gardner-Fernandez said he was never abusive or violent, “even stating she could count on one hand the times he ‘yelled’ at her.”
The couple — who had two kids together — would ultimately split in 2015, sparking a war over custody and finances.
Gardner-Fernandez told cops the house they shared was purchased through a trust associated with her family, yet Bridegan claimed half of its value after their divorce.
She would later leave the Mormon faith and eventually marry Mario Saldana-Fernandez in 2018. She met him at a Jacksonville beach CrossFit gym.
Gardner-Fernandez told police they tied the knot after briefly dating, and the marriage was driven largely by his desire to help her with her kids.
“She stated that they did not know each other very well when they were married,” according to the documents.
Saldana-Fernandez is also charged with capital murder in Bridegan’s death, with prosecutors alleging that he tapped a tenant in one of a series of ramshackle Jacksonville rental buildings he rented out to carry out the shooting.
Shanna told police to brace themselves before interviewing her spouse.
“Good luck with Mario,” she told detectives. “He’s like a pit bull.”
In conclusion, Gardner-Fernandez conceded that Bridegan’s death would ease some of the aggravations associated with their constant fights — but denied any role in his death.
“Gardner mentioned that ‘the timing of all this is weird’ because she had just decided to ‘let go’ of the frustration and to just make the best of the situation,” the papers state.
“She stated in moments of anger she had thought how much easier this would be, but ultimately she wished no ill will on them.”
Gardner-Fernandez, who recently retained Casey Anthony’s former attorney Jose Baez, has pleaded not guilty in the case.
