Mackenzie Shirilla‘s mother, Natalie Shirillarevealed that her daughter has gained weight and is looking healthier as she serves two concurrent 15-year-to-life sentences for a fatal car crash that killed her boyfriend, Dominic Russoand their friend Davion Flanagan.
“She’s actually put on a bit of weight, she looks healthier,” Natalie, 51, told Daily Mail of Mackenzie, 21, in an interview published on Sunday, June 14.
While Natalie said Mackenzie is “feeling better physically,” she added that “she’s still struggling mentally.”
Mackenzie was arrested after she drove 100 km/h into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio, in July 2022. Russo, 20, and Flanagan, 19, died in the car crash, while Mackenzie suffered serious injuries.
Mackenzie Shirilla, the subject of Netflix’s true crime documentary The Crash, described the residents of her hometown of Strongsville, Ohio, as “sad and depressing” in a jailhouse phone call with her mother. TMZ released audio of a call between Mackenzie, 21, and her mother, Natalie Shirilla, on Tuesday, June 2, in which Natalie complained to her (…)
She was convicted of 12 felony charges in 2023, including murder, aggravated assault and aggravated vehicular manslaughter. After a high-profile trial, Mackenzie was sentenced to serve two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life in prison. She is currently in custody at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
Despite being found guilty, Mackenzie has maintained her innocence and insisted she never intended to kill Russo or Flanagan in Netflix’s May documentary. Crash.
Also during the interviewNatalie said she isn’t worried about Mackenzie being bullied behind bars because she knows how to stand up for herself.
“I think some people are targeted at times, but that’s not something she’s talking about,” she said. “She’s not afraid to stand up for herself. We talk about how to navigate through those situations.”
Natalie added that she is under the impression that “the women really look out for each other” in the prison.
Mackenzie also keeps busy by spending her time painting and drawing, according to the mother.
“She listens to music or watches movies,” Natalie said. “They have tablets that have controlled apps. They can’t access the Internet, but they can watch movies or listen to music. They also have a gym and can take fitness classes.”
Additionally Us Weekly previously reported that Mackenzie recently took on a job as a food service employee at the prison.
Convicted murderer Mackenzie Shirilla reveals her post-prison plans should she ever secure her release. “I’m going to be a life coach and stuff,” Shirilla, 21, allegedly told her mother, Natalie Shirilla, over the phone from the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, according to audio obtained by TMZ and published Saturday, May 30. “I’m just (…)
A prison spokesperson confirmed her job to us on Thursday, June 11, and explained that inmates can earn up to $24 a month. However, the spokesperson did not confirm exactly what Mackenzie’s income is.
Mackenzie’s new job was revealed after a prison phone call between her and Natalie was released, where Mackenzie complained that she was bored behind bars.
At one point during the conversation, Mackenzie complained about how slowly time was passing for her. “Like it’s only 3:30, how is it only 3:30?” she asked, according to the call obtained by TMZ. “Actually, I didn’t even know it was 3:30, I thought it was like 5. It’s 3:30.”
