The repercussions of The Crash still loom over Mackenzie Shirilla’s family.
In the wake of the documentary’s release, Mackenzie’s father, Steve Shirilla, has ended his tenure as a teacher at an Ohio educational institution.
“Personnel decisions at Catholic schools fall under the jurisdiction of each school within the Diocese of Cleveland,” the organization stated in a message to Oxygen on June 3. “Due to privacy protocols, the schools and the Diocese typically refrain from discussing personnel matters publicly. However, we can confirm that Mr. Steve Shirilla will not resume his role at Mary Queen of Peace School.”
Steve featured in Netflix’s detailed examination of his daughter’s conviction for the 2022 murders of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davion Flanagan.
Shortly after the premiere of The Crash, the educational institution placed him on administrative leave.
“I wouldn’t resign a contract with them for the simple fact of how they handled this situation,” Steve said to TMZ. “The school and the diocese showed their true colors.”
Mackenzie’s father was seemingly in hot water at the school over parenting comments made in The Crash.
“I don’t have a problem with her smoking dope,” he admitted at one point in the doc. “I don’t have a problem with me smoking it. I don’t have a problem with you smoking it. If you’re gonna take a drug, that’s the one I believe you should take. You know, it’s better than alcohol. It’s better than all the other crap.”
Steve has previously shared, per News 19, that he’s upset with his portrayal in the documentary,
Throughout The Crash, Steve and Mackenzie’s mother Natalie Shirilla repeatedly argued that their daughter is innocent.
“I’m done talking about this or anything that’s not about the injustice my daughter has been put through,” Steve told TMZ of his job status. “My only focus is her.”
Mackenzie was found guilty of four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault and two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in 2023. She is serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life in prison.
Mackenzie is eligible for parole in 2037. And recently, Gypsy Rose Blanchard weighed in on the 21-year-old’s chances for early release.
“I don’t think the documentary did her any favors,” Gypsy explained to TMZ in a podcast that aired May 29. “Now, I can say, I don’t think she’ll get early parole and this is why. So, the parole board takes into consideration behavior in prison, but most importantly remorse and family.”
“When that happens,” she added, “she needs to take those steps to do what she needs to to make amends with the victim’s family.”