Trina Tomola Kuznik, a 46-year-old woman of unspecified ethnicity, tragically lost her life on April 14, 2017, in Cleveland, OH. She was the beloved mother of Colin Zaczkowski and Corrine Kuznik, and the loving daughter of Rebecca E. Porter and John Tomola. Trina, along with her former husband, Michael C. Kuznik, owned and operated Mr. Cars II Inc., a car dealership in Cleveland.
The couple's lives were cut short in a horrific incident at their dealership.
Joseph McAlpin, along with two co-defendants, went to Mr. Cars in the Collinwood neighborhood with the intent to steal vehicles. While the other two men waited down the street, McAlpin shot and killed Michael Kuznik, 50, and Trina Tomola-Kuznik, 46. He also killed the family dog before the group stole two cars from the lot. The couple's 19-year-old son discovered their bodies inside the family-owned business.
McAlpin was found guilty on all charges, including aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, grand theft, and cruelty to animals. He was sentenced to death for his crimes. However, his execution has been delayed due to ongoing appeals and a stay of execution granted by the court.
The tragic loss of Trina Tomola Kuznik and her husband Michael Kuznik sent shockwaves through the community, and their memory lives on through their family and the impact they had on those around them.
