The parents of Shanna Gardner, who is indicted for the murder of her ex-husband Jared Bridegan, have been awarded guardianship of the two children involved in the case, despite objections from Jared’s widow, Kirsten Bridegan. The case has drawn significant attention due to the allegations against Shanna Gardner and the complex family dynamics.
Shanna Gardner is accused of orchestrating the ambush-style murder of her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan, in February 2022. He was shot dead while driving with their two-year-old daughter in his vehicle after dropping off his twins, Liam and Abby, with Shanna. The children were 12 at the time of their father’s death and have been in the care of Shanna’s parents, Sterling and Shelli Gardner, since shortly after her arrest. The Gardners, who are well-known figures in Utah’s Mormon community and co-founders of a successful business, have been granted legal guardianship of the children. This decision has sparked strong reactions from Jared’s widow, who has expressed her outrage at the ruling.
Kirsten Bridegan, Jared’s second wife, has publicly stated that this decision is not in line with what she believes her late husband would have wanted for the children. She has also emphasized that it is not what she desires either. In a statement, she expressed her frustration over the circumstances, stating that some aspects of the situation were beyond her ability to influence or correct. Despite the tension, the case has seen some attempts at cooperation between the two families. However, Kirsten Bridegan has voiced her concerns about the emotional and psychological well-being of the children, urging the Gardners to allow the kids to reconnect with their half-siblings and stepmother.
The children had been living with Shanna’s parents since the murder and have had limited contact with Jared’s family, which has led to disputes regarding their care. The Bridegans, Jared’s parents, filed a lawsuit seeking unsupervised visitation rights and contesting the guardianship petition filed by the Gardners. They claimed that the Gardners had obstructed their attempts to maintain a relationship with the children and had even aided Shanna in fleeing Florida after the murder. The Bridegans also argued that they could provide a better environment for the children, one that would allow them to maintain relationships with their biological family, particularly with their stepmother and half-sibling.
In contrast, the Gardners argued that they had provided a stable environment for the children and had been their primary caregivers for nearly two years. They also emphasized that any contact between the children and Jared’s family had been denied, allegedly at the request of Shanna, and that they had been isolating the children to protect them from the ongoing legal and media attention surrounding the case.
The legal battle for guardianship was eventually settled when the court ruled in favor of the Gardners, stating that their custody arrangement had been in place for over a year and that maintaining continuity in the children’s lives was in their best interest. Although both families have expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling, Kirsten Bridegan made it clear that she had no part in the joint statement released by the Gardners and Bridegans. She further clarified that she would not be making any additional public statements or legal moves in response to the decision.
Despite the settlement, the situation remains emotionally charged, with ongoing tension between the families. Kirsten Bridegan’s statement reflected her disappointment with the outcome and her belief that justice had not been fully served, particularly in the context of the criminal case against Shanna and her alleged accomplice, Mario Fernandez Saldana. Both Shanna and Mario face charges related to the murder, and their trial is expected to unfold in the coming months.
The court’s decision on guardianship is just one chapter in a complex and tragic case that continues to have a profound impact on everyone involved. The primary concern for both families is the well-being of the children, whose lives have been dramatically affected by the loss of their father and the legal battles surrounding their future.
