Jared Bridegan’s ex pictured on vacation weeks after murder

A Florida woman charged with orchestrating the murder of her ex-husband happily vacationed with her new spouse and the victim’s two children just weeks after the slaying.

Along with a hired triggerman, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez and Mario Fernandez now both face first-degree murder raps for the Feb. 2022 shooting death of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach.

Roughly five weeks after the killing, the couple frolicked at the Sandpiper Bay resort in Port St. Lucie.

Gardner-Fernandez’s mother, paper company executive Shelli Gardner, posted numerous pictures of the foursome on her blog in March — roughly five weeks after Bridegan was gunned down.

“For spring break, we drove with Shanna and her family to Club Med Sandpiper Bay, an all-inclusive resort, in Florida. It reminded us of a cruise…only on land, and we had so much fun!” Gardner wrote.

The images show Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez smiling in several pictures with the two kids, including one shot showing Bridegan’s ex sipping a frozen drink.

Along with her husband Sterling, Shelli Gardner runs the successful Stampin’ Up company based in Utah. There is no suggestion either had any knowledge at the time of the vacation of any link between Jared’s murder and their family.

What we know about the Jared Bridegan murder case

Software engineer Jared Bridegan was gunned down in front of his 2-year-old daughter in Jacksonville, Florida, on Feb. 16, 2022.

Officers said the 33-year-old was shot several times at close range and are calling the crime a “targeted” murder.

Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, moved 2,800 miles across the country soon after the shooting and “distanced” herself from her second husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana.

She and Saldana remained suspects in the case until March 16, 2023, when Saldana was arrested in connection to the fatal shooting.

Saldana is accused of planning Bridegan’s murder with a former tenant, Henry Tenon, and was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse. Saldana pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Tenon pleaded guilty to charges related to Bridegan’s murder.

Gardner-Fernandez was recently arrested in Washington state and charged in connection to the killing.

She will be extradited to Duval County and also face conspiracy, solicitation and child abuse charges.

“Shanna Gardner’s indictment acknowledges her central and key role in the cold, calculated and premeditated murder of Jared Bridegan,” State Attorney Melissa Nelson said at a press conference after her arrest.

Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty in the case.

According to Fox News, the couple purchased their daughter a home in Washington after she left Florida following Bridegan’s death.

Doting dad Bridegan was driving home after dropping off the twins he shared with Gardner-Fernandez when he encountered a tire in the middle of the road which blocked his path.

His 2-year-old daughter Bexley — one of two children he had with his new wife Kirsten — was sitting in the backseat.

Bridegan was shot dead after exiting his vehicle to remove the tire — with several bullets nearly striking the child.

The tot remained in the backseat for several minutes until a passerby came upon the scene and called police.

Bridegan and his ex-wife had been locked in a years-long custody fight despite officially divorcing in 2015, and investigators probed her potential involvement.

Gardner-Fernandez had married Fernandez after her split from Bridegan and the couple lived together in the upscale Jacksonville suburb.

The case broke with the January arrest of Henry Tenon, a tenant of Fernandez, who was charged with firing the fatal bullets at Bridegan. He pleaded guilty in the case and agreed to testify against Fernandez, who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in March.

Gardner-Fernandez, who has previously denied any role in the crime, was arrested last week and hit with the same charge.

Kirsten Bridegan suspected her husband’s ex was orchestrating his death from the outset and barred her from attending his funeral.

Shelli Gardner made mention of that dispute in a March 21 blog entry, telling readers Shanna and her friends held a separate ceremony to honor Bridegan.

“After Shanna (along with anyone who knew her) was uninvited from Jared’s funeral services, Shanna and the twins planned their own celebration of life,” she wrote.

She posted 70 pictures from the occasion — including images featuring Shanna Gardner-Ferndandez and her husband.

Shelli Gardner wrote that Bridegan’s two children “recalled happy memories of their dad” at the event.

“Just before sunset, everyone cut flowers from beautiful arrangements, walked over the dune together, and tossed them into the ocean as a farewell,” she wrote.

Gardner-Fernandez could face the death penalty if convicted. In one photo she is shown leading her kids toward the surf.

In an unusual move, she is fighting extradition from Washington to Florida and is scheduled to appear back in court next month.

Kirsten Bridegan has vocally criticized the Gardners for “isolating” the twins from their half siblings and paternal relatives after her husband’s murder.

“Words cannot accurately express the depth of our sadness,” the Gardner family said in a statement following last week’s arrest.

“Family is our top priority. We love our daughter and are focused on supporting her and our entire family as we help our grandchildren navigate this difficult and very confusing time.”