Ylli Shtopaku, a 46-year-old from Norwalk, Connecticut, faces murder charges for the brutal beating death of his 70-year-old former mother-in-law, Lida Shape, using a baseball bat. The attack occurred on April 28, 2025, outside the Ten Trumbull luxury apartment complex in Trumbull, where Shape lived with Shtopaku’s ex-wife and their two children. Prosecutors recently offered a plea deal, details undisclosed, while Shtopaku remains jailed on $3 million bond ahead of a February 19, 2026, court date.​
Incident Timeline
Shape, who had celebrated her 70th birthday the day before, returned from Trumbull Mall with an acquaintance around noon. Shtopaku followed them from the mall food court, confronted her near the clubhouse, retrieved a bat from his car trunk when ignored, and struck her repeatedly for 92 seconds, per security footage. Police arrived at 12:32 p.m. to find her gasping for air beside the bat; she succumbed to injuries.​
Arrest and Confession
A neighbor identified Shtopaku on scene; he spontaneously said, “eh, she tried to kill me for all my life, so I did it today.” After waiving rights, he admitted blaming Shape for his divorce (finalized nearly four years prior), losing his Monroe house, and financial woes. No prior criminal history noted.​
Legal Proceedings
Charged initially on April 29, 2025, arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court with bond set at $3 million (conditions include suicide watch if posted). Family attorney Frank Riccio called it a “cold-blooded murder,” seeking protective orders. State’s case strengthened by confession and video.
