The murder of Jared Bridegan, a Microsoft executive, has taken another shocking turn with the emergence of a new suspect: John Biggerstaff. Biggerstaff, a former police officer with a history of sex trafficking and drug offenses, is now at the center of this complex case, adding another layer to an already tangled web of intrigue and deceit.
A Fateful Night in Jacksonville Beach
Image of a police car with lights flashing
Caption: Police car at a crime scene investigation
In February 2022, Jared Bridegan, a 33-year-old Microsoft executive, was driving home to St. Augustine after dropping off his twin children at his ex-wife’s residence in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. With him in the car was his two-year-old daughter from his second marriage. On a seemingly ordinary evening, tragedy struck. Bridegan encountered a tire strategically placed in the road, forcing him to stop. As he stepped out of his vehicle to remove the obstruction, he was fatally shot multiple times at close range. His young daughter, strapped in her car seat, witnessed the horrific event.
Unraveling a Conspiracy: The First Arrests
Image of a gavel on a sound block in a courtroom
Caption: A gavel in a courtroom symbolizing justice.
Nearly a year after the murder, the investigation saw a significant breakthrough. In January 2023, Henry Tenon confessed to being the gunman responsible for Bridegan’s death. He accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder with a weapon in exchange for his testimony against another key figure in the case: Mario Fernandez Saldana.
Fernandez Saldana, it turned out, was the husband of Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, at the time of the murder. Tenon was a tenant at a property owned by Fernandez Saldana, establishing a crucial link between the victim and the alleged conspirators. Investigators believe that a bitter custody battle between Bridegan and Gardner over their twin children was a possible motive for the heinous act.
Fernandez Saldana was apprehended in March 2023, facing charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse, as Bridegan’s young daughter was present during the shooting. Gardner was later arrested in Washington state on similar charges. Both are currently awaiting trial and could face the death penalty if convicted.
A New Suspect Emerges: John Biggerstaff
The investigation took a dramatic turn with the revelation of John Biggerstaff’s potential involvement. Biggerstaff, 56, is a former police officer who, along with his wife, reportedly engaged in swinging. He has a prior conviction for sex trafficking and drug offenses and is believed to be an associate of Fernandez Saldana. Adding another layer to the connections, Fernandez Saldana reportedly dated Biggerstaff’s daughter during their high school years, and the two men later became workout partners.
While not formally charged, court documents suggest that Biggerstaff is one of five individuals “likely involved” in the murder plot.
Unanswered Questions and a Trail of Evidence
Image of a smartphone
Caption: A close-up of a smartphone, highlighting the role of digital evidence.
Biggerstaff’s alleged involvement is further complicated by several factors. In 2022, he was interviewed by police about the murder, claiming he had done handyman work at the building where Tenon resided but hadn’t interacted with him for a couple of years. He was questioned about his online searches for 10mm Glocks, the same caliber weapon used to kill Bridegan, in the month leading up to the murder. He admitted to owning such a gun but claimed he didn’t know its whereabouts.
Adding to the suspicion, phone records indicate that both Biggerstaff and Fernandez Saldana’s phones were turned off simultaneously on the night of the murder. While Biggerstaff claims this was coincidental, authorities find this detail particularly intriguing. Court documents also highlight a significant increase in communication between Biggerstaff and Fernandez Saldana in the days leading up to and following Bridegan’s murder, despite their typically sporadic contact.
Despite consenting to a DNA swab and handing over his cell phone, investigators discovered that conversations with Fernandez Saldana had been erased up until May 2022. This detail has raised further red flags, with authorities questioning the intent behind this seemingly convenient data deletion.
The Investigation Continues: Seeking Justice for Jared Bridegan
As this intricate case continues to unfold, investigators are diligently pursuing every lead and scrutinizing every piece of evidence. John Biggerstaff’s potential involvement has added a new dimension to this complex narrative.
With the trial of Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana on the horizon, the possibility of further arrests looms. The pursuit of justice for Jared Bridegan remains paramount, and authorities are determined to uncover the truth and hold all those responsible accountable for this senseless tragedy.
