A Florida personal trainer has admitted to having an affair with the ex-wife of a man who was mysteriously gunned down earlier this year in front of his young daughter, Fox News reports.
The victim, 33-year-old Jared Bridegan, was found dead on a street in south Jacksonville Beach with several gunshot wounds to his body around 8 p.m. on February 16.
Jared’s 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter was in the backseat of his SUV at the time.
No arrests have been made yet and police have not publicly named a suspect.
Investigators believe that the murder was planned and that Jared was targeted. He had just dropped off his two older kids at their mother’s home and was returning to his house when he came upon a tire in the road.
When Jared got out of his vehicle, police believe he was ambushed and shot.
According to Fox News, the affair stems back to Christmas 2014, when Jared purchased a set of personal training sessions for his then-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez.
Shanna and the instructor are said to have developed a romantic relationship within weeks of the sessions starting. She has denied the affair, but the instructor, whose name Fox News did not reveal, confirmed the existence of the tryst.
The trainer said Shanna had informed him that she and Jared had been separated at the time they started seeing each other romantically.
“They weren’t really speaking,” the instructor told Fox News. “They were living in opposite ends of the house.”
The affair lasted just several months because Shanna was “going through a lot” as she and Jared were divorcing, the trainer told Fox News.
Crime Online has reported previously that Jared’s ex-wife asked his second wife, Kristen, for his death certificate 12 days after he was murdered. The document was reportedly for family court, where Jared and Shanna had been engaged in an acrimonious divorce and custody battle, Fox News reports.
Shanna also allegedly asked a tattoo parlor employee if she knew anyone who would shut her husband up, according to Fox News.
In previous statements, Shanna has denied involvement in the death of her former husband.
Police continue to investigate and have said recently they believe the perpetrator will be held accountable, but when that will happen is not clear.
“There’s a good chance, a good, good chance,” Jacksonville Beach Police Sgt. Tonya Tator told News4JAX. “Maybe not now, maybe not next week, but I feel confident that eventually, we will find the person or persons responsible for this.”
Meanwhile, with Tuesday marking six months since the murder, Jared’s family members said they want to emphasize his life as a devoted father and family man. Jared had twins from his first marriage with Shanna and two younger daughters from his second marriage with Kristen.“He was a man of faith. That’s what he would want people to feel about him — how much he loved his faith, how much he loved his family,” Jared’s brother, Adam Bridegan, told News4JAX. “For us as a family, it’s important for us to carry on his legacy.”
Jared’s widow said she is asking for prayers that police find out who is responsible for killing her husband.
“I continue to ask for prayers, not even for us but for the detectives, that they will find what they need to catch the people behind this. We pray for them every single day, and more prayers can never hurt,” Kirsten Bridegan told News4JAX.
Authorities say they are searching for a 2004 to 2008 blue Ford F-150 pick-up truck, which was spotted near the scene around the time of the shooting.
A $55,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of whoever is responsible for Jared’s death.
To report information about the case, call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477) or the ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (283-8477).
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
Featured Image: Jared Bridegan, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez
