Who is Mackenzie Shirilla, and what did she do? We discuss a shocking murder. This article contains details some readers may find disturbing.
In late July 2022, the community of Strongsville, Ohio, experienced a terrible event when they learned that a teenage girl, Mackenzie Shirilla, had purposefully driven into a brick wall with her boyfriend and his friend in the car, which killed them both. Mackenzie survived the horrible crash.
It shocked the city. What made the event even more distressing is that at an unknown point, Mackenzie had posted a video to her TikTok account where she boasted about doing drugs, claiming that she was immortal.
Who is Mackenzie Shirilla?
Mackenzie Shirilla is a 19-year-old girl from Strongsville, Ohio, who used to be in a relationship with Dominic Russo, also from the area. She was an ordinary girl from the area until one day, she murdered her boyfriend and his friend.
Her mother, Natalie Shirilla, testified that Mackenzie was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. This disorder can cause a person to pass out if their sodium and hydration levels are too low.
She attempted to convince the judge that this was the cause of the crash but was unsuccessful.
What did Mackenzie Shirilla do?
In the early hours of July 31, 2022, Mackenzie, her boyfriend Dominic, and his friend Davion Flanagan took a fateful car ride ending in Dominic’s and Davion’s death. She drove the car at 100mph into a brick building, killing Dominic and Davion. Mackenzie managed to survive this.
Before the deaths happened, the trio allegedly smoked marijuana, and Mackenzie allegedly had enough THC, the primary psychoactive compound in the drug, still in her system that put her over the legal limit in Ohio. Detectives testified that hallucinogenic mushrooms and a scale were found near Shirilla’s body at the scene.
The relationship between Mackenzie and Dominic was reportedly toxic, according to Dominic’s friends. They testified that they had both seen and heard the pair fight in the past, and Mackenzie had also threatened Dominic.
The Daily Mail obtained a disturbing video from Mackenzie’s TikTok account, in which Mackenzie bragged about doing drugs.
“I’m not even cool, I’m just one of those girls that can do a lot of drugs and not die,” says Shirilla in the video. It’s unclear if this was filmed before or after the crash. Shirilla’s TikTok account has now been set to private.
What was the verdict for Mackenzie Shirilla in court?
Mackenzie has been found guilty on all 12 counts she was charged with, including four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, which carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no opportunity for parole for 15 years.
Judge Nancy Margaret Russo, who isn’t related to Dominic, said that “this was not reckless driving” and that Mackenzie “had a mission, and she executed it with precision.”
How long will Mackenzie Shirilla be in prison?
Mackenzie Shirilla has yet to be sentenced for her crimes, but due to their very serious nature, she’ll likely be in prison for a long time. Mackenzie will probably be given a life sentence for what she’s done.
If this does happen, it means that Mackenzie will be eligible for parole when she’s 34 years old, which is 15 years from now.
