Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson has announced first-degree murder charges against Shanna Gardner-Fernandez and the state’s intention to seek the death penalty in the killing of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan. In a separate case, a New Hampshire mom, Kassandra Sweeney, sent her husband a heartbreaking message minutes before her teen brother-in-law allegedly shot her and her two young sons to death.
According to court papers filed by the New Hampshire State Attorney’s Office, Kassandra Sweeney and her brother-in-law, Eric Sweeney, had exchanged Snapchat videos and messages on the day of the tragic incident. Kassandra’s final message to her husband, Sean Sweeney, read, “I hope they make you laugh.” Tragically, less than 10 minutes later, she and her two sons, Benjamin, 4, and Mason, 23 months old, were found dead from single gunshot wounds to the head.
The motion filed by the State Attorney’s Office revealed more details about the slayings than previously disclosed. It was disclosed that tensions had been escalating between Eric and his older brother, Sean. Sean had reported that Eric had stolen his Honda Civic and had hidden multiple weapons around their home. Concerned for the safety of their small children, Sean and his wife had taken steps to have Eric removed from their home.
On August 3, the situation took a tragic turn. Eric allegedly removed a handgun from a locked safe and shot his nephews and sister-in-law in the kitchen of their home. The victims’ order of death was not specified, but a witness heard the screams of children shortly before Eric fled the scene.
Sean, who was on his work route as an oil delivery truck driver, received a call from Eric claiming that someone had broken in and killed everyone. When police arrived, Sean arrived shortly after, followed by Eric in Kassandra’s truck. In his statement to investigators, Eric claimed to have heard a male voice shouting and multiple gunshots. He said he stepped over the bodies of Kassandra and Mason to leave the house. He later discarded the weapon from the truck’s window on the highway.
A witness, who was a tree worker at the property, reported hearing what sounded like the screams or yelling of young children before seeing Eric leave in Kassandra’s truck. He saw Eric return to the scene after the police arrived.
Eric, who is being tried as an adult, has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of falsifying physical evidence.
The shocking details of this triple murder have left the community in disbelief. The case will continue to unfold as it progresses through the legal system.
