While Bridegan’s ex-wife and accused killer has retained a high-profile attorney, his parents are asking for funds as they sue her for visitation rights.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of a slain St. Augustine father is suing for visitation rights, while his children remain in the custody of his ex-wife — who is accused of playing a “key role” hitman scheme to kill him.
Shanna Gardner retains sole custody of the 11-year-old twins she shares with Bridegan. She is currently being held without bond at the Duval County Jail; while she is in custody, the children are staying with her family.
Bridegan was gunned down in the street in Jacksonville Beach after dropping off the twins off at Gardner’s home. After the murder, she moved to Washington State and took the children with her.
Ashley Bridegan, Jared Bridegan’s sister, says the family has only had one supervised visit with the kids since he died, and the loss of contact with them is devastating. “There was this deep sorrow within our family to not only lose him, but to lose that connection to his kids, and so it was extremely important to us, because we know that that’s what Jared would want, you know, is to have us in their lives,” she said.
Bridegan’s parents, Gaylord and JoAnne Bridegan, have filed a lawsuit in Washington State asking for unsupervised visitation rights, court records show. They are asking for help paying for their legal fees.
Meanwhile, Gardner has hired a high-profile attorney in her criminal case, known for defending Casey Anthony, Hernandez, and, briefly, Harvey Weinstein.
Bridegan’s brother has confirmed that a GoFundMe shared on social media is legitimate, and the money will be given to his parents. The GoFundMe says that his father recently battled cancer and his mother is retiring.
Bridegan’s youngest children are in the custody of their mother, his second wife.
