Jessy Kurczewski, a Wisconsin woman, was sentenced to life in prison for fatally poisoning her friend Lynn Hernan with eye drops and stealing $290,000 from her. The victim’s loved ones warned that the “Devil awaits.” Kurczewski showed little emotion in court, only crying during her two-hour testimony. She was convicted of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide in 2018 and is eligible for supervised release after 30 years. Judge Jennifer Dorow emphasized the need to protect the public in her decision.
Dorow explained that Kurczewski would likely be close to 70 years old after serving 30 years in prison, older than Lynn would be if she were alive today. The judge aimed for Kurczewski to remain behind bars until she was around 80 years old to ensure she was no longer a threat to society. Kurczewski received maximum sentences for the two theft counts she was convicted of. Dorow highlighted Kurczewski’s past criminal record and lack of remorse when determining the sentence.
During the victim impact statement, one of Hernan’s friends described Kurczewski as a monster and believed the sentences were too lenient. He accused Kurczewski of not only murdering Hernan but also being responsible for the deaths of Hernan’s pets and taking advantage of her kindness. Kurczewski was accused of poisoning Hernan for years and stealing her money and property. Medical examiners confirmed that Hernan’s death was a homicide due to the presence of tetrahydrozoline, the main ingredient in Visine, in her system.
Kurczewski confessed to mixing Visine into a water bottle and giving it to Hernan in 2018. Hernan was found dead in her condo with crushed medication on her chest, and Kurczewski initially suggested she may have been suicidal. The emotional impact on Hernan’s loved ones was evident in court, as they described Kurczewski’s actions as heinous and unforgivable. They labeled Kurczewski as pure evil, a liar, a thief, and a convicted murderer, expressing their desire for her to face a harsher punishment for her crimes.
Despite her lack of emotion during the trial, Kurczewski was condemned by those who knew Hernan, with one friend even saying that he hoped Kurczewski would suffer in prison. The judge, in delivering her sentence, aimed to ensure that Kurczewski would face consequences for her actions and remain incarcerated until she was no longer a threat. The chilling warning that the “Devil awaits” Kurczewski highlighted the severity of her crimes and the lasting impact they had on Hernan’s loved ones. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for evil actions and the importance of justice in holding perpetrators accountable.
