Dominic Russo's sister says Netflix's The Crash left out the real 'psychopath and narcissist' behind Mackenzie Shirilla's innocent face. She lashes out in a new interview following the doc's release.
Every true-crime lover has already watched or at least heard of Netflix's new documentary, The Crash, which premiered earlier in May 2026. The documentary has since reignited nationwide debate around the horrifying 2022 Strongsville car crash that killed Dominic Russo (Dom), 20, and his friend, Davion Flanagan, 19. Behind the so-called "hell on wheels" crash was Dominic's then-17-year-old girlfriend, Mackenzie Shirilla.
The world would later learn that the innocent-looking teen, who mourned her boyfriend, Dom, for three months, was actually the who had plotted his murder. Now, Dominic's sister revealed that the documentary barely scratches the surface when it comes to Mackenzie Shirilla’s alleged behavior behind closed doors.
In a new interview following the documentary’s release, Christine Russo openly called Shirilla a psychopath," "a narcissist," and "a monster," claiming the public still does not fully understand the person she believes caused the deadly crash intentionally. Speaking to NewsNation’s Brian Entin, Christine did not hold back while discussing Shirilla, who is currently serving a 15-years-to-life sentence after being convicted of murdering Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan. Christine said:
"I don’t feel bad for her. I think she’s a psychopath. She is a monster, I believe, and a complete narcissist."
Recalling the very first time that she met Shirilla, Christine evealed that she instantly disliked her, given her unnatural obsession with Dominic. "The first day I met her, I couldn’t stand her," Christine shared, before adding that Mackenzie (Kenzie) "didn’t say hi to me, didn’t introduce herself," and just "flung herself on Dom." She now admits that the behaviour hadn't sat well with her.
Christine went on to describe Shirilla's weird obsession with Dom, especially the way she always seemed to assert control on him and isolate him, a control she now realises fits the profile of an abusive partner. Alluding to the innocent and wholesome front that Shirilla allegedly puts on, Christine now describes as the characteristics of a person who manipulates people around her to believe in her innocence. Speaking of Shirilla's attachment to Dom, Christine said:
"He was steady trying to break up with her. It had gotten so volatile and toxic...She wouldn’t leave his side...[she] puts on a pretty good front in front of people... I’ve talked to the prison girls and she’s still doing that in jail, the manipulation. I think she just has ran the show since she was young."
Before the crash, Mackenzie Shirilla and Dominic Russo’s relationship had reportedly turned deeply toxic, with texts allegedly showing threats whenever he tried to leave her. Investigators previously argued that Shirilla intentionally drove her car into a brick building at nearly 100 mph on July 31, 2022, after Dominic allegedly tried to end their troubled relationship. Christine now says the Netflix documentary leaves out just how controlling the relationship allegedly became.
Victims’ families and former inmates have also accused Shirilla of showing little remorse, with her ex-prison girlfriend even recalling that she used to laugh at her prison nickname, 'Shirilla the Killa.' Some have also come forward with similar views as Christine Russo, claiming that Shirilla continued exhibiting troubling "mean girl" type behaviour. Jail recordings have also revealed Mackenzie using coded language to speak with her mother, while also whining about her luxurious amenities.
Although many online discussions now label Shirilla a 'psychopath,' no official psychiatric diagnosis confirming psychopathy has been publicly released. Prosecutors during the trial said the crash was intentional and premeditated, citing evidence including threatening text messages, failure to brake and witness testimony describing the relationship as deeply unstable. Meanwhile, Shirilla and her family have repeatedly denied the crash was intentional, saying the teen had blacked out and had no memory of the exact moments during the fatal crash.
What are your thoughts on Christine Russo's comments about the reality of Mackenzie Shirilla?
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