Dominic Russo wanted to break up with Mackenzie Shirilla just weeks before his death due to cited issues in their relationship.
Ohio criminal, Mackenzie Shirilla's case has received renewed attention ever since the release of Netflix's true-crime documentary, The Crash. At 17, she was convicted of dual murders by intentionally slamming her car into a brick building, killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo and his friend, Davion Flanagan. Notably, she maintained that the crash was just an accident; however, she was convicted of the crime and might even face a lifetime imprisonment. Recently, she re-appealed for parole, and amid that, Dominic's strange message to her weeks before his death is under focus.
Dominic Russo sent Mackenzie Shirilla some eyebrow-raising messages on July 2, 2022, about four weeks before the fatal crash. Recently, TMZ obtained texts in which he tried to inform her, respectfully, of his decision to end things with her peacefully. He assured her that he wasn't "abandoning" her and didn't want to break up on a bad note. As per his messages, he really hoped things would turn out differently. The text also included a cryptic portion in which he said they could no longer be together because there wasn't enough time on Earth. It is unclear as to what he meant by that. His exact words were:
"Kenzie u know i love u but i dont think we should be together at this point there isnt very much time on earth...I dont want u to think im abandoning u i wish it could work but i dont think its going to at this point especially with the threats we should just breakup so we can both find happiness somewhere else."
Mackenzie Shirilla's parents claimed that she was suffering from a condition which led to her occasional blackouts. Although the public absolutely dismissed the statement as a blatant lie, there might be evidence to support it. On May 28, 2026 (ET), PEOPLE obtained some 2020 text message exchanges between Mackenzie and Dominic Russo from the Strongsville Police Department, in which she shared details of her alleged medical issue with him. She wrote, "I had a rlly bad blackout today fr." Cut to a week before the fatal crash, on July 2, 2022, she texted him saying she had another episode. She wrote:
"The one I just had was probably the worst black out like pain level I've had."
Mackenzie Shirilla's parole plea was based on the argument that her health issue might have led to her blacking out before the car crash. Although initially the reasoning was rejected by the court for lack of evidence, now, with the resurfaced chats showing her repeated mention of her back pain and blackouts, it might lead the court to consider having another hearing for the same. Notably, the court has not yet responded to her request.
Recently, Mary Katherine Crowder, who served time with Mackenzie Shirilla at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, shared some explosive inside deets regarding the dual murderer's life behind bars. Mary told the New York Post that Mackenzie had no remorse about killing two people. Instead, she allegedly lived a comfortable life in prison, and her parents bankrolled her lifestyle. Mary stated that Natalie and Steve Shirilla continuously funded their daughter's prison commissary account and provided her with high-end items. Mary further stated that Mackenzie had multiple girlfriends in jail and frequently displayed hickeys.
What are your thoughts on Mackenzie Shirilla's resurfaced chats with her late boyfriend, Dominic Russo? Let us know.
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