A surgeon with an Ivy League background, Tomasz Kosowski, 47, has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of attorney Steven Cozzi, 41. The incident occurred in March 2023 in Clearwater, Florida, where Kosowski was accused of killing Cozzi in the bathroom of his office and disposing of his body in a dumpster near a highway.
During the trial, prosecutors contended that Kosowski, also known as “Dr. K,” acted in a “cold, calculated and premeditated” way. The judge, Joseph Bulone, reached a verdict merely 15 minutes after deliberating, rather than allowing a jury to decide, after a trial lasting almost a week.
Before retreating to consider the case, the judge humorously remarked, “I don’t anticipate me disagreeing with myself that much,” suggesting a quick decision was forthcoming.
The case revolved around a legal dispute regarding medical billing between Kosowski and Cozzi, with the prosecution arguing that the surgeon killed the lawyer for “financial gain.” Interestingly, Kosowski had previously referred to Cozzi as a “scumbag,” just months prior to the murder.
Further evidence showed that Kosowski had conducted research on his victim online and possessed a so-called “murder bag” filled with items like a Taser, brass knuckles, and a crowbar. He was also noted to have inquired about the lethal drug succinylcholine, including its duration of effect.
Beyond the traces of blood found in the bathroom, there were also blood spatters discovered in Kosowski’s vehicle, which he used following the incident.
Nathan Vonderheide, the Assistant State Attorney, stated that the evidence indicated a clear obsession by Kosowski, emphasizing his preparation and planning to commit the murder. “This man murdered Steven Cozzi and he murdered him in a violent way, leaving his blood in a multitude of locations,” he remarked, pushing for the death penalty.
However, the absence of Cozzi’s body meant that proving the murder was particularly heinous was challenging—a significant factor when considering a death sentence. Still, the court has not ruled out the death penalty, as only one aggravating factor needs to be established beyond a reasonable doubt. Kosowski’s next court appearance is set for October 8.
Prior to the judge’s decision, Cozzi’s family voiced their ongoing grief and the lack of closure. Michael Montgomery, Cozzi’s husband, expressed, “The most unbearable part is that we were never able to bring Steven home.” His words revealed a deep well of pain and anger that he struggled to articulate.
Kosowski attempted to distance himself from the event, despite DNA evidence indicating a mix of his and Cozzi’s genetic material found outside the bathroom door. He insisted that the exact circumstances of what transpired in the bathroom remain unclear, claiming, “No one heard a thing. No one saw anything. I also do not leave a speck of DNA in that bathroom.”
On the fateful day, a man was recorded entering Cozzi’s office at 8:30 a.m. Later, around two hours afterward, a man was seen struggling to pull a heavy wagon from the building and onto a Toyota Tundra truck. Kosowski contested the idea that one person could move someone weighing between 190 and 195 pounds alone, citing the impracticality of the situation.
The searches conducted failed to uncover Cozzi’s body, and investigators suspect that he may have been placed in a dumpster before being transferred to a landfill.
