In a surprising turn of events, Shanna Gardner Fernandez, the ex-wife of Jared Bridegan, is fighting extradition from Washington state to Florida after being charged in his death. Gardner Fernandez, who is accused of orchestrating her ex-husband's murder, was taken into custody in Washington and is now resisting extradition back to Florida. During her first court appearance on Friday afternoon, she refused to waive extradition, potentially prolonging the legal process.

The unusual nature of this case is highlighted by the fact that most criminal cases involving violent felonies rarely see requests for extradition refused. Online law information sites such as hg.org and EN Lawyers, a defense law firm based in Maryland, emphasize that fighting interstate extradition can hinder the ability to build a strong defense and often only delays the process.

Jared Bridegan's widow, Kirsten Bridegan, held a press conference in Jacksonville, Florida, expressing her relief at the arrest of Gardner Fernandez. Jared Bridegan was brutally murdered in front of their two-year-old daughter, Bexley, on February 16, 2022, after dropping off their twins at Gardner Fernandez's house in Jacksonville Beach. Gardner Fernandez, her new husband Mario Fernandez, and their former tenant Henry Tenon are the alleged perpetrators of the murder. Prosecutors claim that the conspiracy to kill Jared had been in motion since May 2015.

Following Jared's death, Gardner Fernandez was seen happily vacationing with Mario, her parents, and other individuals suspected to be involved in the murder plot. This added to Kirsten's pain and she described it as "salt in the wounds." The Twins, who were caught in the middle of the custody battle between Jared and Gardner Fernandez, were taken on vacations immediately after the murder.

Despite divorcing in 2015, Gardner Fernandez and Jared continued to fight over custody of their twins and financial matters until his death. Gardner Fernandez and her new husband even celebrated Spring Break at Club Med Sandpiper Bay with the twins and her parents, just one month after Jared's murder. Gardner Fernandez's mother, Shelli, even posted photos of the vacation on her blog, further exacerbating Kirsten's anguish. Gardner Fernandez later cut off all contact between the twins and their half-siblings.

Kirsten Bridegan expressed her concern about the impact these vacations would have on the children, as they would one day realize that these happy memories were made with individuals involved in their father's death. She called the loss of her husband and stepchildren "excruciating."

Gardner Fernandez now finds herself considered a "fugitive of justice" and is being held without bond in the Benton County Corrections Department in Washington. She is scheduled to appear in court on September 14 to address the extradition matter. Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced Gardner Fernandez's arrest and indictment, which includes charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, and child abuse. Nelson's office has also stated their intent to seek the death penalty.

Law and safety expert Dale Carson explained that the next step is for the federal government and the state of Florida to establish Gardner Fernandez's connection to the indictment. The arrest of Gardner Fernandez has brought some closure to Kirsten Bridegan and her family, who have endured immense pain and suffering since Jared's tragic murder.