Jessy Kurczewski, a Wisconsin woman accused of spiking her friend’s water bottle with a lethal dose of eye drops, has been found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.
After deliberating for over two days, the jury delivered the verdict in Waukesha County court, leading to an emotional breakdown from the defendant.
Kurczewski, 39, faced multiple charges, including intentional homicide and theft, in connection with the death of 62-year-old Lynn Hernan.
The jury unanimously found Kurczewski guilty on all counts. In addition to the criminal charges related to Hernan’s death, Kurczewski was accused of defrauding Hernan of nearly $300,000 over the two years leading up to her demise.
Lynn Hernan was discovered unconscious in her Pewaukee home in 2018, next to a table filled with prescription pills and apparently crushed medication on her chest.
Initially ruled as a drug overdose, the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office later reopened the case after a toxicological report revealed a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline, a key ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops, in Hernan’s system.
The investigation, which led to Kurczewski’s arrest in June 2021, unveiled a complex web of deceit and alleged financial exploitation. Kurczewski, Hernan’s friend and caregiver, initially claimed Hernan’s death was a result of her health conditions, suggesting suicide.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Kurczewski was a beneficiary of Hernan’s will and contended that “Lynn Hernan became worth more dead than alive” to the defendant.
The defense, however, denied allegations of poisoning, stating that Hernan had a liking for vodka and eye drops, offering no apparent motive for the purported crime.
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Following the guilty verdict, Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Abbey Nickolie expressed satisfaction, stating that the case highlighted the financial vulnerability of the victim and the lengths individuals would go to satisfy their greed. Kurczewski faces a mandatory life sentence and will be sentenced at a later date.
Family friend Anthony Pozza, another beneficiary of Hernan’s will, expressed relief, saying, “It’s been five years of stress. I’m just glad we finally have justice.” The verdict brings closure to a tragic chapter, shedding light on the dark realities of financial exploitation and betrayal within seemingly trusting relationships.
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