A teenager who deliberately drove her car into a wall at around 100mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend, has reportedly picked up a grim nickname while serving her sentence.
Mackenzie Shirilla was 17 when prosecutors said she carried out what was described as an attempted murder-suicide, a case that drew national attention due to the circumstances of the crash.
Interest in the story has surged again lately following the release of a new documentary focusing on the events of July 31, 2022, and the lead-up to the fatal impact.
Shirilla was later convicted on multiple charges, including murder and aggravated vehicular homicide, and was sentenced to 15 years to life at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. Now, a former inmate who says she had a relationship with Shirilla has shared claims about how she is viewed inside.
Speaking to the US Sun, 27-year-old Shyan Topping said she spent time with Shirilla at the facility and described what she claims is Shirilla’s growing notoriety behind bars.
Topping told the outlet Shirilla appeared to embrace the reputation, saying: “We started talking and she told me her nickname was ‘Shirilla the killa,’ like, that’s what her bunkmates called her.”
According to Topping, the pair dated briefly during her time incarcerated, though she alleged Shirilla could be difficult in a relationship.
Topping claimed that one source of tension was timing around meeting in the yard, explaining: “If we did argue, it’s because I didn’t come outside on time,” while describing how they would seek privacy there.
She also alleged the disagreements could escalate, adding: “And she’s like, ‘I was waiting for you. Where were you? Like, if this is how it’s gonna go, I just won’t talk to you.”
The relationship reportedly ended after about two weeks when Topping was released. She claimed Shirilla took her departure hard and had already expressed strong feelings.
Recalling Shirilla’s reaction, Topping said: “Mackenzie was upset that I was leaving. She would tell me all the time, ‘I wish we met sooner, before you were about to get out. I wish you would have talked before this.'”
Topping also alleged that, during their short time together, Shirilla discussed what she wanted to do if she ever leaves prison. “She said she was just gonna live it [up] if she gets out,” she told the publication.
As part of those claimed plans, Topping said Shirilla talked about rebuilding her public image and pursuing a high-profile lifestyle after release: “Like, she’s gonna go back to concerts. She’s gonna travel. She’s gonna be an influencer and write a book when she gets out about everything that happened.
“She said it might take some time, but she’s gonna get out and live it again.”