Florida police arrest second suspect in high profile murder of Microsoft executive last year – Law Officer

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Mario Fernandez Saldana is the husband of Shanna Gardner-Fernandez. Her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan, was a Microsoft executive who was murdered in February 2022. Now Saldana faces multiple charges related to Bridegan’s slaying following an indictment on Thursday, according to Florida authorities.

Saldana was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse. He was taken into custody in Kissimmee, Florida, the New York Post reported.

Gardner-Fernandez and Bridegan shared twins and had been entangled in a contentious custody battle shortly before the murder.

Bridegan had worked as a software developer for Microsoft. He was shot and killed in front of his daughter Bexley, whom he shared with his second wife, Kristen.

Jared Bridegan was killed in front of his 2-year-old daughter, whom he shared with second wife Kristen. (Instagram – @justiceforjaredb)

Henry Tenon, 61, was previously arrested in January and charged with “Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Second-Degree Murder, and other charges” in the shooting death of Bridegan, Law Officer reported at the time.

When Tenon was taken into custody, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department said they did not believe he acted alone.

Saldana’s arrest took place within hours of Tenon pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Tenon is Saldona’s former tenant and occasional handyman, The Post reported.

“Our investigation has revealed a single link between Jared Bridegan and Henry Tenon: That is Mario Fernandez Saldana,” State Attorney Melissa Nelson said Thursday.

Tenon has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against Saldana as part of his plea deal, according to authorities.

Saldana could face the death penalty if convicted, Nelson said.

Law Officer article, Jan. 25, 2023

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Police in Florida announced the arrest Wednesday of a suspect in the ambush murder of a Microsoft executive last year. It may not be the last arrest as officials said they do not believe he acted alone.

Henry Tenon, 61, was taken into custody for “Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Second-Degree Murder, and other charges” in the shooting death of Jared Bridegan, according to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. The Microsoft executive was gunned down in front of his 2-year-old daughter in February 2021, the New York Post reported. 

Jacksonville Beach Police kept investigative details close to the vest and did not take questions Wednesday. They also declined to specify a motive or whether or not there was a personal connection between Tenon and Bridegan. However, authorities do not believe the criminal defendant was a solo act.

Although police said Tenon did not act alone, they declined to say if they had information connecting him to Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, Bridegan’s ex-wife, or her new husband, Mario Fernandez. The two had previously been identified as suspects in the case.

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith noted the lack of information, and said, “We hope to have more answers to provide to you, even if it cannot be today.”

In February 2022, Bridegan, 33, had dropped off his two children he shared with Gardner-Fernandez, 35, at her Jacksonville residence and was driving home to St. Augustine with his 2-year-old daughter Bexley sitting in the back seat.

During the drive, Bridegan noticed a tire in the middle of the road. As he stopped to remove it, he was gunned down. Police believe it was a planned ambush, The Post reported. 

Jared Bridegan was killed in front of his daughter in February 2022. (GoFundMe)

Bexley, one of two children Bridegan shared with his second wife, Kirsten Bridegan, sat in the car on the inactive street for about three minutes before a passerby saw the man lying in the roadway, and called police.

Bridegan and Gardner-Fernandez were involved in a hostile custody dispute at the time of his death. Their marriage previously crumbled after she reportedly had an affair.

A photo combination of Shanna Gardner-Fernandez flexing, left, and with her with her husband, Mario Fernandez, right. (Facebook)

Notably, Gardner-Fernandez and her new husband hired Henry Cox III, a distinguished defense attorney, soon after the homicide occurred. They have adamantly denied any role in Bridegan’s death.

Sources told The Post that Gardner-Fernandez and her current husband are now estranged, as she recently moved with her two children to Richland, Washington, without him.