After Jared Bridegan was killed in entrance of his daughter in Florida, his household hopes clues to his loss of life is likely to be present in Utah, the place he used to stay and work. Household picture
Police are looking for a truck seen on the scene of the taking pictures of Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville, Florida. Kristen Jenkins
About three months in the past, Jared Bridegan dropped off his twin youngsters from a earlier marriage at his ex-wife's home in Florida.
A few mile away, he came across a tire in the course of the slim highway. As quickly as he exited his automotive to maneuver the tire out of the way in which, he was shot 4 instances at shut vary and killed.
"And the hardest factor about this case is that his 2-year-old daughter was watching in his again seat," mentioned his sister, Ashley Jenkins.
For the 33-year-old man's widow, Kirsten Bridegan: "We take it day-to-day, each me and my daughter."
The killing occurred in Jacksonville, Florida, the place Jared Bridegan and his household had moved to be close to his oldest youngsters. No surveillance cameras captured the taking pictures, and no arrests have been made. However his household hopes clues to his loss of life may be present in Utah, the place he and his spouse attended school in Utah County. His ex-wife can also be from Utah, the place that they had the twins, now age 9.
Nothing was stolen from Jared Bridegan, main the police and his household to consider it was a setup, Jenkins mentioned.
"Actually, we're all in grief counseling as a result of this has been the worst nightmare that we have ever needed to endure," she mentioned.
Jared Bridegan labored as a senior design supervisor at Microsoft. Earlier than that, he labored for Utah firm Clear Easy Eats. Along with his twins and 2-year-old daughter, he and his spouse additionally had a 7-month-old toddler. Now, his widow is left coping with the tragedy and taking good care of the child herself, Jenkins mentioned.
Whereas their toddler daughter is simply too younger to know what occurred, Kirsten Bridegan mentioned she and her 2-year-old daughter have good days the place they're capable of giggle, but additionally many troublesome days.
"That is why I am pouring a lot effort into sharing this with information stations, sharing this on social media, as a result of that helps me to manage," she mentioned, including that "preventing for solutions" for her husband helps her by way of every day.
If a suspect was discovered, "It'd imply every part. My husband did not deserve this. My household did not deserve this. I need him to have justice. His life was reduce quick. All 4 of his youngsters are actually fatherless. The years they'd anticipated to have with their dad, they do not have him to stroll them down the aisle, to be there at his commencement ... that is gone and that may't get replaced," Kirsten Bridegan mentioned.
It will assist to know somebody is paying a "very small worth" for what they've taken away, she added.
Jenkins mentioned the household believes some Utah residents might need heard issues concerning the killing that would lead whoever did it to face justice.
"I wish to simply plead for the general public's assist to only communicate up and share something which may assist this case, irrespective of how small they suppose it's. It may carry justice for his identify, so simply any ideas could be vastly appreciated," Jenkins mentioned.
Police are additionally looking for a pickup truck seen on the scene of the taking pictures — a darkish blue Ford F-150, with brown or tan trim and operating boards, that was manufactured between 2004-2008. Kirsten Bridegan mentioned the truck may now be wherever.
Police are looking for a truck seen on the scene of the taking pictures of Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kristen Jenkins
For somebody to have gone by way of the hassle to plan the homicide, Kirsten Bridegan doubts they might preserve driving the truck if it did belong to them. However she urged anybody who is aware of somebody who drove a truck prefer it, who might need stopped driving it inside current months, to contact investigators.
"My hope by sharing that is that so extra persons are conscious, in order that if somebody sees the truck that matches the outline, that they might name the police," she mentioned.
Regardless of being shy and reserved, Jenkins mentioned her brother was identified and beloved at work, in his neighborhood and in his household as somebody who was all the time keen to assist others.
"My brother was the one which your complete neighborhood went to for instruments to assist with initiatives round the home, and so they completely beloved (him). He was the primary one to serve. Anybody may go to him for assist with initiatives or to sort things and he dropped every part to assist them," Jenkins recalled.
She mentioned he additionally beloved spending time together with his youngsters and dealing on initiatives with them.
"His character was considered one of simply service and love, and I feel if there was something he would wish to be identified for, it was for the love of all 4 of his youngsters," she mentioned.
Different stories word the older youngsters, although invited to his funeral, did not attend. When requested for touch upon these stories, Jenkins mentioned the youngsters weren't allowed to attend however didn't present further particulars. In addition they weren't allowed to attend a vigil in his honor, Kirsten Bridegan mentioned.
Jenkins mentioned she believes whoever deliberate his killing "thought they had been going to have the ability to get away with this" due to his quiet character, however there are a lot of individuals who care about him.
Kirsten Bridegan mentioned no suspects have been named.
A bunch of Utah tech corporations, the group Crime Stoppers, personal donors, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and firms have provided $55,000 for info resulting in a conviction in Jared Bridegan's loss of life, Jenkins famous.
These with info can contact Crime Stoppers at 866-845-8477. The household has additionally established an Instagram web page at Justiceforjaredb, the place they're making an attempt to unfold the phrase by way of social media.