Who is Shane DeJongh? Engineer Found Dead in Connecticut Cottage Still a Mystery After Two Years

Two years have passed since engineer Shane DeJongh was found dead in his quiet Cheshire cottage, but his family is still searching for justice. The 53-year-old was discovered lifeless in the home he shared with his girlfriend, Natasha Vadasz, on October 6, 2023.

At first, investigators believed Shane had died from a heart attack. However, when his sister Robyn van Ekelenburg and other family members traveled from California to see his body, they knew something wasn’t right.

“He didn’t look like he had a neck. It was like he had no neck,” Robyn told the Hartford Courant. “We knew something was wrong.”

Autopsy Reveals Signs of Violence

An autopsy later confirmed the family’s suspicions. According to the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Shane’s cause of death was listed as “cardiac arrhythmia following physical altercation with blunt injuries of head and neck.”

The report also revealed bruising, a brain bleed, a neck hemorrhage, and a fracture in the thyroid cartilage — clear signs of trauma. His death was officially ruled a homicide.

Family’s Fight for Justice

Despite the ruling, no arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation by the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.

“We don’t know what really happened that night,” Robyn said. “It’s like trying to put a puzzle together without all the pieces. But whatever the case is, Shane was the only one with injuries that night.”

The family filed a lawsuit in March 2025 against Shane’s girlfriend, Natasha Vadasz, but withdrew it last week to revise the complaint. Their attorney, Kenneth Krayeske, said they plan to add Shane’s daughter, Zoey, as a plaintiff and include another unnamed defendant.

Night Before the Death

Shane and Natasha were reportedly preparing to move to Georgia after he accepted a new job offer. The night before his death, the couple went out to celebrate with their realtor. The next morning, Shane was found dead — still wearing the same clothes from the night before.

Shortly after, Vadasz sold the cottage and moved to North Carolina with her son.

Ongoing Investigation

Cheshire Police Chief Frederick J. Jortner confirmed that detectives, along with state police and forensic experts, are still working on the case. However, he declined to release more information to protect the integrity of the investigation.

For now, Shane’s family continues to push for answers, hoping that justice will one day be served.