Ylli Shtopaku, 46, from Norwalk, Connecticut, faces murder charges for allegedly beating his ex-mother-in-law, Lida Shape, 70, to death with a baseball bat on April 28, 2025, outside the Ten Trumbull Apartments clubhouse in Trumbull. The attack, captured on security video for 92 seconds, followed Shape’s recent 70th birthday celebration and occurred after Shtopaku reportedly followed her from a mall food court. Shape, who lived there with Shtopaku’s ex-wife and their two children, was found gasping for air and later died from the injuries.​
Incident Sequence
Shtopaku confronted Shape upon her return with an acquaintance; when she walked away, he retrieved the bat from his car trunk and attacked. A neighbor identified him to arriving police, who noted his spontaneous statement blaming Shape for lifelong harm. He admitted to the act, citing grudges over his divorce, loss of a Monroe house, and financial woes.​
Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors offered a plea deal on December 19, 2025, in Bridgeport court, described as substantial but undisclosed publicly. Shape’s family attorney called for severe consequences given the video evidence and close family ties. Shtopaku’s defense mentioned exploring a psychiatric angle if no plea.​
Current Status
Held on $3 million bond with no contact allowed to Shape’s family, including his sons, Shtopaku returns to court February 19, 2026. The case stems from family estrangement post-divorce years earlier.​
