Mackenzie Shirilla, the killer from ‘Hell on Wheels,’ labeled as a ‘Mean Girl’ in prison.

Contradicting Views on Mackenzie Cirilla from Former Inmates

Former inmates describe Mackenzie Cirilla, convicted for a fatal crash, very differently from the remorseful image seen in the popular Netflix documentary. Mary Katherine Crowder, who spent time with Cirilla at the Ohio Correctional Institution for Women, expressed her shock after seeing the documentary.

“I was just taken aback when I saw her walking out in that film. She looked completely different,” Crowder commented. The 21-year-old murderer, she noted, behaved more like the queen bee from “Mean Girls” than a contrite inmate.

According to Crowder, Cirilla was lively and stylish in prison, frequently applying makeup and asserting herself socially. “She didn’t waste any time,” Crowder remarked, recalling how Cirilla often flaunted her looks and engaged in relationships with other inmates.

The documentary, “The Crash,” which details the 2022 incident that claimed the lives of Cirilla’s boyfriend and friend, has recently gained popularity, reaching the top spot on the streaming platform since its release. In the film, Cirilla appears to show regret and insists she is “not a monster.”

However, Crowder insists the portrayal doesn’t align with the Cirilla she knew in prison, stating, “She was always well put together—almost preppy. But in the documentary, she seemed to have changed.” Her tone and mannerisms, Crowder noted, felt different as well—less cheerful and more hardened.

Crowder recounted her experiences when she was booked into prison in April 2024. At that time, Cirilla had already been there for several months and embraced a celebrity status among the inmates. “Everyone knew her story, and she acted like it,” Crowder explained.

She described Cirilla’s time in prison as filled with laughter and socializing, rather than mourning the loss of her friends, as stated in the documentary. Crowder added that Cirilla often appeared carefree, seemingly oblivious to her serious legal situation.

The former inmate mentioned that Cirilla had relationships with other female inmates, which included visible hickeys. “She dated several girls while in there. And let’s just say, if she felt any guilt, she wouldn’t have jumped into those romances,” Crowder remarked.

Crowder claimed Cirilla benefited from parental support and had a sugar daddy listed online to fulfill her needs in prison. She emphasized that Cirilla’s looks and comfort were maintained by resources provided by her family.

In a TikTok series, Crowder highlighted a stark contrast between Cirilla’s reality and the documentary’s portrayal. She criticized the film for trying to depict Cirilla as an innocent girl, stating, “That’s just not accurate; it’s not who she really is.” Crowder also voiced doubts regarding Cirilla’s health claims made in the documentary. “I never saw her seek medical help or show signs of illness,” she insisted.