Mackenzie Shirilla’s mom is talking out for the primary time since her daughter’s case exploded again into the highlight, pushing again in opposition to on-line claims and insisting the convicted killer just isn’t the “villain” many have painted her to be. In a brand new interview, Natalie Shirilla addressed renewed public scrutiny following Netflix’s “The Crash,” which revisits the surprising 2022 high-speed wreck that left Mackenzie Shirilla’s boyfriend and good friend lifeless.
Now 21 and serving 15 years to life in jail, Shirilla was convicted of homicide after prosecutors argued she deliberately drove her Toyota Camry at 100 mph right into a industrial constructing in Strongsville, Ohio, killing boyfriend Dominic Russo, 20, and good friend Davion Flanagan, 19.
Natalie Shirilla mentioned the general public response to her daughter has been fueled by misinformation and assumptions surrounding the lethal crash.
“There have been three folks within the automotive,” Natalie informed The Daily Mail in her first interview for the reason that documentary aired. “Something might have occurred. Something. So all these folks creating all these tales, it’s only a bunch of story time. No person is aware of.”
The mom of the convicted “Hell on Wheels” killer, a nickname given to Mackenzie by the decide throughout sentencing, admitted she is aware of many individuals won’t ever forgive her daughter, however insisted there’s extra to the story.
“I’m at all times going to be a villain in any person’s story as a result of I’m the mother of somebody driving a automotive who killed two youngsters,” Natalie mentioned. “That’s okay as a result of I do know I’m not a villain, I’m an excellent individual. So is my daughter. She’s not how she’s been labeled on-line. She struggles with this each day.”
Natalie Shirilla Makes Explosive Claims About Daughter’s Relationship With Dominic Russo
Natalie additionally disputed long-running rumors surrounding Mackenzie and Russo’s relationship, together with hypothesis he had been planning to interrupt up along with her or that Mackenzie had beforehand tried to crash a automotive whereas he was inside. “I liked Dom. I nonetheless love Dom. Mackenzie nonetheless loves Dom. She’s struggling,” Natalie mentioned. “Dom was like a part of our household.”
The grieving mom went on to say Russo struggled with psychological well being points, alleging he was “bipolar” and had beforehand threatened suicide.
Inside Mackenzie Shirilla And Dominic Russo’s Allegedly Turbulent Relationship
In line with Natalie, Russo as soon as threatened self-harm contained in the Shirilla household residence and allegedly skilled emotional spirals that required Mackenzie’s assist. She additionally claimed Russo’s mom had contacted Mackenzie a number of instances for help when he would allegedly “hit his head in opposition to the wall.”
Natalie acknowledged the younger couple had a turbulent relationship and fought incessantly, however urged there have been complexities behind the scenes that haven’t been totally understood publicly.
Why Mackenzie Shirilla’s Household Says The whole lot Modified After ‘The Crash’
Natalie additionally mirrored on the aftermath of the lethal crash, claiming the Shirilla household initially grieved alongside Dominic Russo’s family members earlier than relationships abruptly fractured.
In line with Natalie, Russo’s mom, Christine Agnello Russo, who beforehand labored for the Cuyahoga County District Lawyer’s Workplace that later prosecuted the case, was allegedly captured on video talking with police about wanting Mackenzie to go to jail and advocating for a Republican decide to supervise the proceedings.
Natalie finally blamed a lot of the general public narrative shift on Dominic Russo’s half-sister, Christine Russo. “Christine Junior doesn’t even know us,” Natalie claimed. “She’s the daughter of Frank Russo and his first spouse. She solely knew Dominic till he was about 15. Mackenzie met her like one time. But she professes to know all about us.”
Mackenzie Shirilla Stays Behind Bars After Lethal 2022 Crash
Shirilla has remained incarcerated since her arrest following the July 31, 2022 crash, which occurred simply days earlier than her 18th birthday. Prosecutors efficiently argued throughout trial that Shirilla deliberately triggered the wreck, main a decide in 2023 to convict her on a number of fees, together with homicide.
Her household, Natalie mentioned, initially believed Mackenzie would face lesser fees, resembling vehicular murder, and proceed to go to her often whereas she serves her sentence.
Natalie’s newest feedback come as renewed public curiosity within the case has sparked contemporary debate on-line following the discharge of “The Crash,” with many viewers revisiting questions surrounding motive, accountability, and the occasions main as much as the deadly collision.
In line with The Day by day Mail, a few of Natalie’s claims could also be partially mirrored in a large assortment of investigative supplies made public following trial, together with greater than 30,000 textual content messages, reviews, recordings, and courtroom paperwork.
