In the autumn of 2023, a gripping courtroom drama unfolded in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, casting a long shadow over the fate of Jessy Kurczewski. At the heart of the case was the tragic death of 62-year-old Lynn Hernan, whose life ended on October 3, 2018, under circumstances that would lead to shocking allegations and an intense legal battle. Kurczewski, then 39, was accused of intentionally killing Hernan, who had been her close friend and caretaker. The case would expose themes of betrayal, greed, and the complexities of trust.
- Jessy Kurczewski charged with murder and theft.
- Victim Lynn Hernan's health declined rapidly.
- Tetrahydrozoline found in Hernan's system.
- Defense argued Hernan committed suicide.
- Kurczewski's financial motives highlighted in trial.
- Kurczewski sentenced to life in prison.
Five years prior to the trial, Jessy had called the police, claiming she discovered Hernan dead in her living room recliner. Kurczewski had been Hernan’s caregiver, looking after her as she struggled with multiple health issues. These included lung disease and severe gastrointestinal disorders that had left Hernan weak and in constant pain. Friends and family painted a picture of Hernan as a vibrant individual, one who had faced her declining health with quiet dignity.
As the trial commenced in October 2023, prosecutors painted a starkly different picture of Kurczewski. They portrayed her as someone motivated by financial gain, suggesting that she had seen Hernan as a source of wealth rather than a friend in need. “This is a case of murder, greed, and lies,” asserted Deputy District Attorney Randy Sitzberger during opening statements, emphasizing that Hernan had become “worth more dead than alive” to Kurczewski.
Prosecutors claimed that Kurczewski had stolen over $144,000 from Hernan by the time of her death and sought to benefit financially from her passing. Randy Sitzberger articulated the chilling assertion that Hernan had died from tetrahydrozoline poisoning after Kurczewski allegedly provided her with a drink tainted with the active ingredient found in over-the-counter eye drops. The courtroom echoed with the somber weight of these accusations, as authorities discussed the events of that fateful day.
Stephanie Rodriguez, reporting on the trial, highlighted how Kurczewski’s motives were scrutinized relentlessly, with evidence suggesting that Kurczewski had been dishonest about her financial dealings with Hernan. Throughout the trial, former friends of Hernan testified about her concerns regarding missing money, hinting at Kurczewski’s exploitation of their relationship. “She didn’t want anyone around because she felt ashamed,” recalled one friend, revealing Hernan’s distress as her health deteriorated.
Despite an overwhelming portrayal of Kurczewski as the antagonist, her defense presented a contrasting narrative. They insisted that Hernan, who had long suffered from various ailments, was deeply depressed and ultimately took her own life—a theory supported by the findings of some medical professionals. Defense attorney Pablo Galaviz argued passionately, “Lynn Hernan was tired of being sick, and decided to take her own life,” while highlighting how Hernan had previously discussed her feelings about her declining health with family and friends.
The courtroom saga intensified as forensic evidence emerged. Dr. Lynda Biedrzycki, the chief medical examiner, informed the jury that the toxicology tests from Hernan’s autopsy had revealed the presence of tetrahydrozoline in her system, leading her to classify the death as a homicide rather than a suicide. “How this injury occurred is that she was given tetrahydrozoline by another,” Biedrzycki stated, a revelation that sent shockwaves through the courtroom and reinforced the prosecution’s theory of premeditated murder.
Kurczewski’s ever-changing story became a focal point of intrigue. Initially, she suggested that Hernan often used eye drops for dry eyes; however, during subsequent interrogations, she shifted her narrative, claiming that Hernan had mixed the eye drops with vodka—implying that Hernan had deliberately sought to harm herself. This inconsistency further fueled the prosecution’s claims that Kurczewski was culpable and knew well the dangers of the substance she allegedly provided.
As testimony unfolded, the world learned even more about Kurczewski’s checkered past, including a criminal record involving identity theft and fraud. Suggested motives for the thefts emerged—how Kurczewski had manipulated access to Hernan’s finances, acquired her credit card information, and even opened new accounts in Hernan’s name after her death, all of which painted a silhouette of avarice.
On November 14, 2023, after hours of deliberation, the jury rendered their verdict: Kurczewski was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony theft. The emotional toll of the verdict reverberated throughout the courtroom, with anguish washing over friends and family gathered to remember Hernan’s life. “It makes you reflect on the last five years— the lies and the deceit,” one family member poignantly expressed.
However, the story didn’t conclude with the finality of the verdict. In a baffling twist, shortly before Kurczewski’s sentencing, authorities received a package containing detailed instructions suggesting that Kurczewski had attempted to stage evidence to exonerate herself. Inside were letters outlining directions to fake recordings and impersonate Hernan—serious allegations that would cast further doubt on Kurczewski’s integrity.
As she stood before the judge, Kurczewski maintained her innocence, insisting that she was a loyal friend wrongfully accused. Yet Judge Jennifer Dorow, firmly concluding that Hernan’s death was premeditated murder, sentenced Kurczewski to life in prison. She conveyed the chilling reality that Kurczewski had intended to profit from a crime that was as intentional as it was heinous. The judge’s closing remarks echoed with authority, dismissing Kurczewski’s denials in light of the overwhelming evidence against her.
As the dust settled on the courtroom proceedings, the case illustrated the profound impact of trust lost, the depths of human despair, and the categorical boundaries crossed in pursuit of selfish ends. With Kurczewski’s plans for an appeal still hanging in the air, the specter of Hernan’s memory and the unraveling of their complicated relationship will linger in the minds of those who followed the case, a reminder of the complexities of love, loyalty, and betrayal.
