“Death by Eye Drops”: 48 Hours Reports on Lynn Hernan Homicide February 1 2025

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, 48 Hours will rebroadcast Death by Eye Drops, an unsettling case that shocked Wisconsin and the nation. The episode, reported by Jericka Duncan, delves into the murder trial of Jessy Kurczewski, a woman accused of poisoning her longtime friend, Lynn Hernan, using tetrahydrozoline—the active ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops. The prosecution alleged Kurczewski not only stole from Hernan while she was alive but ultimately killed her to gain control of her financial assets.
The case, which spanned more than five years, culminated in a dramatic trial in October 2023. Prosecutors contended that Kurczewski carefully planned Hernan’s murder, while the defense argued that the 62-year-old woman took her own life due to chronic health problems. With forensic evidence, financial records, and shifting testimonies at the center of the trial, 48 Hours explores the details behind this unusual and tragic case.
A Mysterious Death in Pewaukee, Wisconsin
On October 3, 2018, emergency responders arrived at the Pewaukee, Wisconsin, home of 62-year-old Lynn Hernan after her close friend, Jessy Kurczewski, called 911. Hernan was found unresponsive in her recliner, surrounded by open prescription bottles and a suspicious white powder. Kurczewski told police she had been caring for Hernan, who had struggled with various health issues, and suggested that her friend may have taken her own life.
Initially, authorities believed the scene pointed to a fatal overdose. Toxicology tests, however, later revealed a shocking discovery—Hernan had a lethal amount of tetrahydrozoline in her system, a chemical commonly found in eye drops but never intended for oral consumption. Investigators determined that Hernan had been poisoned and that the scene may have been staged to look like a suicide.
The case took an unexpected turn when forensic accountants uncovered unusual financial activity linked to Hernan’s bank accounts. Over a span of nearly three years, large sums of money had been withdrawn or transferred to accounts controlled by Kurczewski. The growing evidence pointed to a possible motive: financial greed.
The Investigation Unfolds
As authorities examined Hernan’s financial records, they found that more than $144,000 had been funneled to Kurczewski between 2016 and Hernan’s death in 2018. Additionally, after Hernan’s passing, another $80,000 was removed from her accounts, suggesting that Kurczewski had not only stolen from her while she was alive but had continued to profit from her death.
Detectives also uncovered an alarming revelation—Kurczewski had a prior criminal record for financial fraud and identity theft. In 2011, she had been convicted of forging documents and served time in prison before being released in 2016, coinciding with the period when she became close to Hernan. The financial discrepancies and past criminal activity led authorities to reclassify Hernan’s death as a homicide.
During multiple police interrogations, Kurczewski’s story evolved. Initially, she denied any knowledge of how tetrahydrozoline could have entered Hernan’s system. Later, she claimed that Hernan had a habit of mixing vodka with Visine to “help her sleep.” When pressed, she provided yet another explanation, stating that Hernan had intentionally ingested a lethal dose of the eye drops, though no prior evidence suggested this was a habit of the deceased.
The Trial of Jessy Kurczewski
In October 2023, Kurczewski stood trial in a Wisconsin courtroom, facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony theft. Prosecutors argued that Kurczewski methodically poisoned Hernan with the intention of gaining control over her finances. They presented forensic evidence, bank records, and witness testimony to support their claim that greed was the driving force behind Hernan’s death.
The state’s key witness, Waukesha County Medical Examiner Dr. Lynda Biedrzycki, testified that Hernan’s cause of death was tetrahydrozoline poisoning and that the concentration found in her system was far beyond what could be ingested accidentally. The prosecution also highlighted Kurczewski’s shifting accounts of what happened, portraying her as a manipulative and deceptive individual.
The defense, led by attorneys Pablo Galaviz and Donna Kuchler, countered that Hernan had long suffered from medical issues and had become despondent over her deteriorating health. They argued that she had taken the eye drops on her own in an act of suicide and that Kurczewski had no motive to harm someone she considered family. The defense also called a forensic pathologist who testified that Hernan’s death could have been caused by a combination of multiple medications found in her system, casting doubt on the prosecution’s theory.
A Verdict and a Shocking Post-Trial Twist
After deliberating for ten and a half hours over two days, the jury found Jessy Kurczewski guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony theft. As the verdict was read, Kurczewski collapsed in tears, while Hernan’s close friends and family members expressed relief that justice had been served.
Before sentencing, the case took an even stranger turn when prosecutors discovered a set of handwritten letters allegedly authored by Kurczewski from jail. These letters instructed a friend to create fake evidence, including a falsified voice recording of Hernan, to claim that she had taken her own life. Investigators traced the letters back to Kurczewski’s cell, solidifying the prosecution’s portrayal of her as a manipulative schemer.
On April 5, 2024, Judge Jennifer Dorow sentenced Kurczewski to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years, meaning she would be nearly 80 before being considered for release. She was also ordered to pay over $386,600 in restitution for the money she had stolen from Hernan.
During sentencing, Judge Dorow delivered a scathing rebuke, calling Kurczewski’s actions “diabolical” and questioning whether she had been poisoning Hernan for an extended period before her death. Friends of Hernan spoke in court, remembering her as a kind and generous woman who had been betrayed by someone she trusted.
A Story That Shocked the Nation
The case of Jessy Kurczewski stands out not only for its bizarre method of poisoning but also for the elaborate financial fraud and deception that surrounded it. The chilling reality that an over-the-counter medication could be weaponized in such a way captivated the public and highlighted the lengths to which some individuals will go for personal gain.
The 48 Hours episode Death by Eye Drops offers a deep dive into this complex case, featuring exclusive interviews, expert analysis, and courtroom footage that brings the shocking details to light. With the case now closed, the episode serves as a sobering reminder of how even the closest of relationships can be built on deception.
Viewers can tune in to 48 Hours on CBS this Saturday at 9:00 PM ET/PT, with streaming available on Paramount+ the following day.