Mackenzie Shirilla is currently serving a life sentence behind bars for double murder, but that isn't stopping the famed killer from posing for a selfie on Instagram.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Shirilla is the subject of Netflix's true crime documentary The Crash. Released in May, the documentary chronicles her murder conviction for deliberately driving 100 miles per hour into a brick wall, killing her two passengers.
Shirilla was convicted in 2023 of murder in the deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davion Flanagan.
Somehow, despite cell phone access being prohibited in most prisons, Shirilla was able to post a new selfie on Instagram.
In the photo, Shirilla appears to be wearing a full face of makeup with a fresh hairdo. The viral photo was taken inside the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
The 21-year-old convict wrote that she's "trying to do better every day and holding on to hope" in the caption. According to the facility's handbook, cell phones are banned for all prisoners. It is unclear how Shirilla was able to share an updated look from behind bars.
Christine Russo Sounds Off on Killer's Prison Selfie
Shirilla's doll-faced selfie struck a nerve with Dominic's sister, Christine Russo, who expressed anger and disbelief that her brother's killer was active on social media while her family grieves.
"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," Christine told TMZ. "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."
On June 23, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected her lawyers' latest request for post-conviction relief. The court ruled that her legal team filed the petition one day past the legally mandated deadline.
On Tuesday, July 7, Shirilla's lawyers filed a new motion asking the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider its appeal. According to court documents, the defense team said the deadline dates were unclear, WOIO reports.
The Instagram post was made to convince the highest courts to consider her appeal.
"Mackenzie and her family 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," the post reads.
The Netflix killer was convicted of 12 felonies for the double murder in 2022. She's currently serving her 15-to-life sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
Shirilla's first parole hearing is scheduled for 2037.
