The Horrific Crime
On December 15, 2016, Craig Vandewege called 911 to report that he had found his wife and infant son dead at their home in Fort Worth, Texas. He claimed that a burglar had broken into their house and killed them while he was at work. However, the police soon discovered that his story was a lie and that he was the one who had slit the throats of his 36-year-old wife, Shanna, and their 3-month-old son, Diederik, in a cold-blooded murder.
Shanna was a registered nurse who had suffered three miscarriages before giving birth to Diederik, their first and only child. She and Craig had moved from Colorado to Texas in May 2016 after Craig got a promotion. They seemed to be a happy and loving family, but behind the scenes, Craig was unhappy and resentful of his wife and son. According to his co-workers, he made disparaging remarks about Shanna and even joked about how he would get time off work if they were dead.
The Arrest and Trial
Craig fled to Colorado after the murders and was arrested by the police there for speeding and failing to provide proof of insurance. He calmly told the officers that his wife and son had been murdered and that he was being blamed for it. He also said that he was on his way to Las Vegas because he had heard that three people had been arrested in connection with the deaths of his family. He had four guns and ammunition with him in his vehicle.
He was extradited to Fort Worth in January 2017 and charged with capital murder. His trial began in November 2021 and lasted for two weeks. The prosecution presented evidence that Craig had staged the crime scene to look like a burglary and that he had left behind a bloody knife and a pair of gloves in a trash can near his workplace. They also played recordings of his 911 call and his interview with the police, in which he contradicted himself and showed no emotion. The defense argued that Craig was innocent and that the real killer was still at large. They suggested that Shanna and Diederik were victims of a random act of violence or a drug-related crime.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours before finding Craig guilty of capital murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He showed no reaction as the verdict and the sentence were read.
The Aftermath and the Motive
The murders of Shanna and Diederik shocked and saddened their friends, relatives, and community. They were remembered as a loving mother and a sweet baby who had brought joy to everyone who knew them. Shanna’s parents, Mark and Paula Riddle, said that they were relieved that justice was served and that Craig would never hurt anyone again. They also said that they forgave him and prayed for him.
The motive for Craig’s heinous act remains unclear. Some speculated that he was suffering from mental illness or that he was having an affair. Others suggested that he was under financial stress or that he was unhappy with his life in Texas. However, none of these theories could explain why he would kill his own wife and son in such a brutal way. Craig never confessed or expressed any remorse for his actions. He never gave a reason for why he did what he did. He remains a mystery and a monster.