A dedicated yoga instructor who devoted her life to helping at-risk youth was shot and killed inside a home in the quiet, coastal community of Westbrook, Connecticut. Katie Liljedahl, a 42-year-old woman with a "genuine passion for her work," was remembered by colleagues for her commitment to the children she served in juvenile detention centers. Her work brought yoga and mindfulness to troubled young people, reflecting a deep professional and personal commitment to child welfare and education.
The evening of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, was shattered by violence on East Pond Meadow Road, a residential street in Westbrook. Around 5:25 p.m., Connecticut State Police from the Troop F barracks were dispatched to a home following a report of a disturbance. When troopers arrived, they found 37-year-old John Bongiovanni of Haddam outside the residence.
During a 911 call placed during the incident, Bongiovanni had reportedly told dispatchers that he "got beat up."
Inside the home, police discovered a grim scene. Katie Liljedahl had been shot multiple times in the torso and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would later officially rule her death a homicide. A second victim, a man in his 40s, was also found with gunshot wounds. He was critically injured and was airlifted to a hospital for emergency medical treatment, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.
The Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad took charge of the investigation. John Bongiovanni was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Investigators worked through the night, processing the scene for evidence. They recovered two firearms from the home, which were secured as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities did not immediately comment on the relationship between Bongiovanni and the two victims or a possible motive for the shooting.
Bongiovanni was arrested and charged with murder and criminal attempt to commit murder. He was held on a $3 million bond and made his first appearance in Middletown Superior Court the next day, Thursday, October 29. During the hearing, Senior Assistant State's Attorney Jason Germain recounted Bongiovanni's statement to the 911 dispatcher. Bongiovanni's case was scheduled to continue in early November.
News of Katie Liljedahl’s violent death sent shockwaves through the community and among her colleagues. Community Partners in Action, the Hartford-based nonprofit where she had worked since July 2019, released a statement mourning her loss. The organization praised her dedication to teaching yoga at juvenile detention facilities in Hartford and Bridgeport. Her professional life was a testament to her caring nature, with a history that included roles as an education program coordinator for a Head Start program and as a pre-K teacher. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and all who knew her during this difficult time," the organization stated.
As of late October 2026, the investigation remained active as prosecutors prepared their case against John Bongiovanni. He remained in custody, awaiting his next court date. The community was left to grapple with the sudden and tragic loss of a woman who had dedicated her career to bringing peace and support to vulnerable children.
