Pewaukee, Wisconsin – Jessy Kurczewski made a distressing call to 911 on October 3, 2018, reporting the discovery of her friend Lynn Hernan unresponsive in her home. Kurczewski, a longtime friend of Hernan and acting as her caregiver as her health declined, had been visiting Hernan daily. Initial responders speculated that Hernan’s death may have been an accidental overdose or suicide, noting scattered pills and crushed medications near her.
In the ensuing investigation, authorities uncovered Kurczewski’s criminal history, including previous forgery and identity theft charges. Following her arrest in July 2019, Kurczewski’s story regarding Hernan’s medications began to change, especially after detectives revealed the presence of tetrahydrozoline, a compound found in over-the-counter eye drops, in Hernan’s system. Kurczewski denied giving Hernan the eye drops to ingest.
Subsequent interviews with Kurczewski unveiled disturbing details, with Kurczewski suggesting that Hernan had been regularly consuming eye drops mixed with vodka as a cocktail to induce relaxation and sleep. She claimed that on the day of Hernan’s death, she had given her a water bottle filled with eye drops unknowing of the consequences.
Months of investigation revealed financial irregularities linking Kurczewski to the depletion of Hernan’s assets. In June 2021, Kurczewski was charged with intentional homicide and theft, accused of profiting over $200,000 from Hernan and intentionally poisoning her with eye drops.
Despite claiming innocence and stating her love for Hernan, Kurczewski faced trial in October 2023. Prosecutors maintained that her actions were deliberate and with malicious intent, seeking justice for Hernan’s tragic demise. The case against Kurczewski highlighted a troubling narrative of betrayal and greed, underscoring the complexities of personal relationships and the lengths to which some may go for financial gain.