Why Mackenzie Shirilla's Dad Was Put on Leave After Netflix Doc

The father of convicted Ohio killer Mackenzie Shirilla has been placed on administrative leave from his teaching job following backlash over his comments in a new Netflix documentary, The Crash.

Steve Shirilla, an art and digital media teacher at Mary Queen of Peace School in Cleveland, was removed from the classroom after the school said it is investigating concerns that a staff member "demonstrated poor judgment" in connection with the film.

“Administrators at Mary Queen of Peace School in Cleveland are investigating allegations made on social media that one of its teachers has demonstrated poor judgement. Upon learning of the allegation, the school acted immediately and placed the teacher on administrative leave. The investigation is ongoing,” the school said in a statement.

Why It Matters

The new Netflix documentary has renewed interest in unresolved questions concerning the Shirilla case, including whether Mackenzie Shirilla intended to crash the car and unresolved claims about Shirilla being in a toxic relationship.

The Shirilla family has continued their insistence on Mackenzie’s innocence.

Where Things Stand

• Steve Shirilla, the father of Mackenzie Shirilla and an art/digital media teacher at a Cleveland Catholic school, was placed on administrative leave.
• The action was taken after Steve's comments in a Netflix documentary on Mackenzie's case sparked backlash and complaints.
• The school said its investigation is ongoing based on "poor judgment" of Steve.
• The school said it acted "immediately" after learning of concerns raised-many of which surfaced on social media-and emphasized student safety as its top priority.

What To Know

The Netflix documentary, The Crash, was released on May 15 and revisits the 2022 case where Mackenzie was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.

Prosecutors argued she intentionally crashed her car into a building, driving nearly 100 miles per hour and killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, age 20, and Davion Flanagan, age 19, in the process.

Mackenzie was sentenced to life in prison.

In the documentary, Steve Shirilla, her father, defended his daughter's innocence and downplayed concerns about her marijuana use.

“I don’t have a problem with her smoking dope,” Steve said in The Crash. “If you’re going to smoke a drug, that’s the one I believe you should take.”

The comments prompted strong reactions online and reportedly led to complaints from parents to the school.

Steve Shirilla has since told Cleveland 19 News that he is "upset" with how the documentary was edited, saying his comments were taken out of context.

Can a School Put a Teacher on Leave for This?

Schools can put teachers on leave for issues like this, at least temporarily.

While laws vary by state and employer type, in general, schools can place employees on administrative leave when:

• There are complaints from parents or the public
• The issue could affect the school environment or student trust
• An investigation is needed before making a decision

However, administrative leave does not mean firing. It is usually temporary, paid and used to review facts and determine next steps.

In this case, the school explicitly said the move was part of an ongoing investigation and it was responding to allegations of poor judgment.

Are There Threats or Safety Concerns?

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of threats against Steve Shirilla.

The school's response appears focused on community reaction and reputational concerns, not physical safety.

What the Netflix Documentary Shows

The Crash explores the 2022 Strongsville, Ohio, case that gained national attention when Mackenzie Shirilla, who was 17 at the time, drove nearly 100 miles per hour into a brick building, killing her two passengers in the process.

Prosecutors said the crash was intentional, and the judge ruled Mackenzie's actions were "controlled, methodical, deliberate, intentional and purposeful."

Mackenzie was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 15 years.

"This was not reckless driving. This was murder," the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge said.

What Happens Next

• The school's investigation is ongoing
• Possible outcomes could include Steve's regular return to work, some type of disciplinary action or termination

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM.