Shanna Gardner and her new husband, Mario Fernandez, are said to have planned the murder of her ex-husband. Prosecutors are asking for the death penalty for Fernandez.

DLnews crime:

Investigators have known for months: Shanna Gardner is deeply involved in the murder of Jared Bridegan († 33). Now the ex-wife of the shot Microsoft manager has been arrested and charged. She is accused of planning the crime in February 2022 with her new husband, Mario Fernandez – and then having commissioned one of his tenants to do it.

Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan was shot dead in the street on February 16, 2022

In Washington state, investigators now took action, arresting Gardner at her home in Duval County, where she had lived since her ex died. Prosecutor Melissa Nelson said after Thursday's arrest that Gardner was charged with a "key role in the cold-blooded, calculated, and premeditated murder of Jared Bridegan." She is also accused of conspiracy, incitement, and child abuse.

The murder of the father of four caused a stir early last year. Bridegan had just brought the twins (9 at the time) from his marriage to Gardner to her home. He then went to his own home – with his two-year-old daughter Bexley in the car.

Then the devious assassination attempt began: he was shot in the street when he tried to clear a tire lying in the middle of the road - placed there to lure Bridegan out of the car.

Henry Tenon admitted to shooting after his arrest. Fernandez is said to have hired his tenant for the crime.

TENANT TURNED KILLER

Investigators arrested Shanna Gardner's new husband, Mario Fernandez, in March. He was accused of planning the murder with one of his tenants. The tenant, Henry Tenon, quickly admitted to police that he pulled the trigger - and agreed to cooperate with authorities.

Bridegan and Gardner divorced in 2015 and have had a bitter custody battle over the twins. Until Gardner and her accomplices finally put the assassination plan into action.

Jared's widow, Kirsten Bridegan, said after Tenon's arrest, "It was orchestrated, it was planned, and it was all about Jared." From the start, she suspected Gardner of being involved in the murder.

Bridegan's widow Kirsten suspected her husband's ex from the start.

The little daughter was traumatized after being shot.

Her daughter Bexley, who was in the back seat of Bridegan's car when she heard the gunshots, is still suffering. Sometimes, Kirsten Bridegan reported, the little girl would shy away from loud noises because they reminded her of the gunshots every February evening.

Bridegan said: "She heard the shots that killed her father. She was alone at that moment and wondered for minutes what had happened to her father – and minutes are an eternity for a toddler.”

The public prosecutor's office demands the death penalty for Fernandez, who is said to have given his tenant the murder order. It is not yet clear what penalties threaten Gardner and the shooter.