Arrest made in murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan

The Florida State Attorney's Office has arrested Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana for the murder of Jared Bridegan, a Microsoft exec who was killed in front of his toddler over a year ago. Fernandez-Saldana, the husband of Bridegan's ex-wife, was arrested in Orlando for second-degree murder — and other charges after the father of three was gunned down when he got out of his car to remove a tire from the roadway in Jacksonville, an arrest affidavit states.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida State Attorney's Office has arrested Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana for the murder of Jared Bridegan, a Microsoft exec who was killed in front of his toddler over a year ago.

Fernandez-Saldana, the husband of Bridegan's ex-wife – Shanna Gardner – was arrested in Orlando for second-degree murder — and other charges after the father of three was gunned down when he got out of his car to remove a tire from the roadway in Jacksonville, an arrest affidavit states.

In January 2023, Fernandez' tenant, Henry Tenon was arrested for the murder of Bridegan after detectives found financial records from PNC Bank on October 14, 2022, containing three handwritten checks from Fernandez-Saldana.

Tenon pleaded guilty to the murder charge Wednesday, the Florida State Attorney announced in a press conference. Tenon has agreed to testify against the people he worked with to murder Bridegan. He reportedly told investigators that he did not work alone.

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Arrest made in murder of slain Microsoft Exec Jared Bridegan

Jacksonville Police have announced the arrest of Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana, the husband of Shanna Gardner who is the ex-wife of Bridegan

Mario Fernandez is seen trimming his beard outside of his home in Kissimmee, Florida, Friday, January 23, 2023. Fernandez is a suspect in the murder of Jared Bridegan.

Mario Fernandez is spotted with his dog outside a veterinarian in Orlando, Florida on Friday, January 27, 2023. Fernandez is married to Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, and is a suspect in the murder of her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan.

Shanna Gardner-Fernandez spotted is spotted outside her home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, July 29, 2022. She is loading up the trunk of her car with what appears to be five Tupperware-style containers filled with cupckaes. Gardner-Fernandez is the ex-wife of slain Microsoft executive, Jared Bridegan who was mysteriously shot dead in front of his 2-year-old daughter in north Florida on February 16 of this year.

The home of Shanna Gardner-Fernandez in Washington State on Monday January, 23, 2023. Garnder-Fernandez is the ex-wife of Jared Bridegan who was murdered in Florida in 2022.

Shanna Gardner-Fernandez is spotted in Washington State on Monday January, 23, 2023. Garnder-Fernandez is the ex-wife of Jared Bridegan who was murdered in Florida in 2022.

Phone records also showed Tenon and Fernandez-Saldana having 35 phone contacts in February, 30 more in March, and 5 to 9 contacts in May and June, arrest records state.

On Feb. 16, 2022, Bridegan was found lying in the roadway of the 4000 block of Sanctuary Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach after being shot multiple times. Before he was killed, Bridegan had just dropped off his 9-year-old twin children, whom he shared custody with ex-wife Gardner, at her home nearby where she lived with Fernandez-Saldana.

Bridegan's 2-year-old daughter was still in the car when he was shot and killed. Detectives said Bridegan and his ex-wife had a "highly acrimonious divorce" after being married from 2010 to 2015.

Kirsten Bridegan, the wife of Jared Bridegan, also spoke at the news conference.

"We have fought hard for the truth and the world now knows what we had known all along - that Jared truly was an innocent victim, Kirsten said.

Fernandez-Saldana is facing one charge of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse.

He was transported to the Orange County Jail Wednesday.