- Mackenzie Shirilla, 21, is appealing her conviction for a 2022 crash that killed her boyfriend and a friend.
- Former inmate Shyann Topping describes Shirilla as demanding and was given the nickname 'Shirilla the killa' in prison.
- Shirilla was sentenced to 15 years to life and maintains her crash was unintentional, while prosecutors argue otherwise.
OHIO — Months after an Ohio man was sentenced to prison for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, another Ohio case involving a deadly relationship tragedy is back in the spotlight. This time, Mackenzie Shirilla’s former prison girlfriend is speaking out about what she claims Shirilla was like behind bars.
Shirilla, now 21, was convicted of intentionally crashing her car in 2022, killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend, Davion Flanagan, 19. She was 17 at the time of the crash.
Former Inmate Claims Shirilla Shared Prison Nickname
Former Ohio Reformatory for Women inmate Shyann Topping told The US Sun that she dated Shirilla for a short time in prison.
Topping claimed Shirilla told her that other inmates had given her the nickname “Shirilla the killa.”
She also described Shirilla as demanding in their short relationship. Topping said Shirilla would get upset if she did not come outside on time to meet her.
Their relationship reportedly ended after only a couple of weeks because Topping was released from prison.
Claims About Life After Prison
Topping said Shirilla talked about what she wanted to do if she ever got out of prison.
According to Topping, Shirilla said she wanted to travel, go to concerts, become an influencer, and write a book about what happened.
Topping said she first believed Shirilla’s claim that the crash was an accident. But after leaving prison and learning more about the evidence, she said she no longer believes that version.
Other Former Inmates Speak Out
Another former inmate, Mary Katherine Crowder, also previously spoke about Shirilla’s time behind bars.
Crowder claimed Shirilla acted like a popular girl in prison and often had her hair and makeup done. She said Shirilla carried herself like someone famous inside the facility.
Both former inmates claimed they did not see Shirilla show much sadness or remorse about the crash. These are their personal claims and have not been tested in court.
Crash Killed Two Young Men
Shirilla was convicted after prosecutors argued she intentionally drove at high speed into a building in Strongsville, Ohio.
The crash killed Russo and Flanagan. Shirilla survived.
At trial, prosecutors said the crash was intentional. Shirilla’s defense has maintained that it was not planned and has continued fighting the conviction.
She was sentenced in 2023 to two concurrent prison terms of 15 years to life.
Appeal Still Ongoing
Shirilla is now appealing her conviction for a second time.
Topping said she does not believe the appeal will succeed unless Shirilla shows remorse and tells the victims’ families what happened.
For the families of Russo and Flanagan, the case continues to bring pain as Shirilla’s story receives new attention through media coverage and a Netflix documentary.
To view more cases involving deadly crashes, relationship violence, and shocking prison claims, check out our video here:
