Shirilla Texts Mom After Crash, Hints at Hypnosis in Ohio Murder Case

Mackenzie Shirilla, then 17, was driving about 100 mph when a July 2022 crash in Strongsville, Ohio killed her boyfriend Dominic Russo and friend Davion Flanagan; she survived and was later convicted in 2023 of murder, aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges, receiving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life. Prosecutors described a toxic relationship and an attempted murder‑suicide, supported by car data showing hard acceleration and no braking. After the crash she texted Russo’s mother saying she couldn’t remember what happened and planned to undergo hypnosis to recover memories; Shirilla has claimed memory loss due to trauma, though no medical records confirmed a POTS diagnosis at trial. She remains incarcerated and is parole-eligible after 15 years.