In March 2011, 55-year-old Susan DeJong spent three days holding her 52-year-old husband, Thomas DeJong, hostage while she beat him with a hammer and tortured him.
On March 11th, 2011, she called 911. She told the operator her husband wasn’t breathing, and he looked like he had been through a meat grinder.
Thomas died at the hospital. His death was later ruled to be from blunt force trauma to his head, torso, and limbs.
When Susan was questioned, she told authorities that her husband went to a job interview, and after leaving the interview, he spent time with his mistress.
Susan claimed that Thomas was assaulted by his mistress before he returned home with the brutal injuries. But doctors said he would not have been able to drive with the injuries he was dealing with.
Susan was arrested a day after Thomas died.
Convicted of first-degree murder and using a deadly weapon to commit a felony on February 27, 2012. She was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years on May 3rd, 2012.
DOB:
August 8th, 1956Conviction(s):
- First-degree murder
- Using a deadly weapon to commit a felony
Date of crime:
March 11th, 2011Location(s):
Fairbury, NEDate of arrest:
Next DayDetails:
Beat her husband to death.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Thomas DeJong (52)
Method:
BeatingSentence:
Life plus 50 yearsCurrent whereabouts:
Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, NESources:
N/ALast Updated on 08/04/2026
