After Mackenzie Shirilla shocked the public by sharing a glammed up photo on Instagram taken behind bars, a rep from the Ohio Reformatory for Women confirmed that the inmate is not in trouble following a review of the incident.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokesperson JoEllen Smith told TMZ that Shirilla, 21, sent the photo of herself to a family member through a tablet called ViaPeth, which inmates use to stay connected to loved ones.
After the photo was posted on Shirila’s Instagram account on Monday, July 6, the Office of Victim Services and the Office of the Chief Inspector reviewed the situation and determined that Shirilla did not post the photo herself because “incarcerated individuals do not have access to social media platforms on the ViaPath tablets.”
Smith added that prisoners are allowed to send photos to family members using the tablet as long as they follow the prison’s rules and regulations. Since she did not break any prison rules, Shirilla will not be disciplined for the photo.
The Ohio Reformatory for Women did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment.
Shirilla has been in prison since 2023, when a judge determined that she intentionally drove her car into a brick wall while going 100 mph, killing boyfriend Dominic Russo and friend Davion Flanagan in the process. Shirilla was convicted of 12 felony charges including murder, aggravated vehicular homicide and felonious assault and she was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 15 years to life in prison.
The prison completed the review after Russo’s sister, Christine Russo, told TMZ that she did not approve of Shirilla posting the photo.
“As Dominic Russo’s sister, it is heartbreaking to see someone convicted in connection with my brother’s death appear to have a social media presence while our family is suffering every day,” she told the outlet on Wednesday, July 8. “While my brother is buried, seeing her post selfies, full face of makeup, and bragging how she is famous is painful and, to me, completely inconsistent with remorse.”
Christine also encouraged anyone who was also upset with the photo to “respectfully ask the warden to investigate” whether Shirilla broke any prison rules.
“In my opinion, if these reports are accurate, they should be taken seriously, and I don’t understand why someone with a disciplinary history would continue to have privileges that allow this to happen,” she said. “Victims’ families should not have to watch the person responsible for their loved one’s death seek online attention while they continue to live with unimaginable loss.”
The controversial photo was shared alongside an update about how Shirilla is doing after the Ohio Supreme Court denied her lawyers’ attempt to have them reconsider her latest appeal. In the caption, her support team said she “will respectfully continue to do everything they can so that the merits of the brief can be heard, just as anyone else would do in their position.”
After Shirilla’s lawyers’ appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court was denied in June, the legal team filed a new motion on Tuesday, July 7, asking the court to reconsider its appeal, according to WOIO. The Ohio Supreme Court has not yet responded to the request.
