- And it turns out she's been stealing money from her for a long time.
Jessy Kurczewski killed her friend by spiking her water bottle with eye drops. On Tuesday, she was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.
After deliberating for two days, the jury found her guilty on all counts, including intentional homicide and theft.
She cried as the verdict was read in Waukesha County.
Lynn Hernan died at 62 in her home in Pewaukee in 2018. It was originally ruled a drug overdose.
During the two years leading up to Hernan’s death, Kurczewski was accused of defrauding Hernan of nearly $300,000.00. Kurczewski pleaded not guilty to the first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony count.
Hernan was found unconscious on October 3rd, 2018. She was sitting in her living room recliner when she was found, the table filled with prescription pills and what looked like crushed medication on her chest.
Kurczewski called the police saying she went to Hernan’s home and found her unresponsive and not breathing. She allegedly told police that she believed Hernan was suicidal due to her debilitating health conditions.
The case was reopened three months after Hernan died by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office. The toxicological report showed that Hernan had a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline, the main ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops in her system. 
Kurczewski was arrested and charged in June 2021. The defense claimed that Hernan wasn’t poisoned by Kurczewski, even though she was found guilty and killed her friend for money.
Kurczewski was one of the beneficiaries on Hernan’s will and “Lynn Hernan became worth more dead than alive” to the defendant.
Defense attorney Pablo Galaviz said that “She just liked vodka. She also liked Visine. I have no idea why,” during opening statements last month.
Prosecutors said they were satisfied with the guilty verdict and that the medical examiner’s work showed “vital evidence” regarding the case.
Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Abbey Nickolie said that, “The defendant betrayed Lynn out of greed. “This case highlighted the financial vulnerability of the victim and what a person would do to get what they want,” following the verdict.
Kurczewski will be sentenced at a later date and faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Anthony Pozza, a family friend said, “It’s been five years of stress. I’m just glad we finally have justice.” He was also a beneficiary of Hernan’s will.
What a terrible news story, a woman killed her friend for money. Let me know if you heard this story in the comments!