WAUKESHA, Wis. — A shocking case has unfolded in Waukesha, Wisconsin, as Jessy Kurczewski has been sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree intentional homicide of her friend Lynn Hernan, using eye drops. The sentencing, delivered by Judge Jennifer Dorow, carries the possibility of extended supervision after 30 years of incarceration.
Judge Dorow emphasized the severity of the offense and Kurczewski’s prior convictions, justifying the consecutive maximum sentences for additional counts of forgery and misappropriation. The goal is to make Kurczewski eligible for parole close to the age of 80, surpassing the age Hernan would be today. Prior to sentencing, Kurczewski passionately maintained her innocence, asserting that Hernan died by suicide, not by her hands.
Kurczewski was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and felony theft by a jury in November 2023. Court documents state that Kurczewski administered a fatal dose of a chemical found in over-the-counter eye drops to her friend, resulting in a fatal overdose. The incident occurred in 2018 when Kurczewski alerted the police to her friend’s unresponsive state at home. Despite initial reports suggesting natural causes, further investigation revealed elevated levels of the chemical in the victim’s system, contradicting Kurczewski’s narrative.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Kurczewski’s actions were deliberate, while the defense contended that the victim took the eye drops herself as a form of self-harm. However, a pivotal moment in the trial occurred when evidence surfaced showing Kurczewski had researched the effects of the chemical online. Additionally, Kurczewski faced allegations of financial deceit, including unauthorized transfers and lavish spending from the victim’s accounts.
After hours of deliberation, the jurors unanimously reached their verdict, underscoring the gravity of the crimes committed. Jessy Kurczewski’s sentencing serves as a somber reminder of the tragic events that led to the loss of Lynn Hernan’s life, leaving a community in disbelief and seeking closure in the aftermath of this devastating case.