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Man who beat ex-mother-in-law to death blames her for his divorce
Shtopaku allegedly beat his former mother-in-law to death with a baseball bat
A Connecticut woman who had just celebrated her 70th birthday was beaten to death a day later by her former son-in-law.
Lida Shape was killed on April 28 at the Ten Trumbull apartment complex in Trumbull, Connecticut, where she lived with her daughter and the suspect’s ex-wife alongwith her two grandchildren.
According to police, Shape had returned to the complex around noon with an acquaintance when she came face to face with Ylli Shtopaku.
Investigators say the encounter quickly turned violent. Authorities allege Shtopaku retrieved a baseball bat from his car and beat his former mother-in-law for 92 seconds near the complex’s clubhouse.
Officers arriving at the scene found Shape lying on her back, badly injured and gasping for air. A neighbour identified Shtopaku to police, leading to his arrest.
Court records cited by News 12 Connecticut say he made a disturbing remark at the time, telling officers: “Eh, she tried to kill me for all my life, so I did it today.”
Police say Shtopaku later admitted he had gone to confront his ex-mother-in-law and attacked her when she did not listen. Investigators say he blamed her for his divorce, the loss of his home in Monroe and ongoing financial problems.
The killing came just one day after Shape marked her 70th birthday with family.
Shtopaku has been charged with murder and remains in custody on a $3 million bond.
