In the spring of 2020, a family tragedy unfolded in Merrillville, Indiana, culminating in the death of Crystal Zyzanski, a 29-year-old female. On April 4th, while at the home of her ex-husband, Randal Zyzanski, Crystal was fatally shot in the neck. The family had gathered to mourn the passing of Randal's mother, Joan Zyzanski, who had died just the day before.
The person responsible for Crystal's death was her former father-in-law, Frank William Zyzanski.
On the morning of the shooting, Frank had left the residence and returned to find Crystal still there with her and Randal's three children. He asked to speak with Crystal in the kitchen. A short time later, witnesses heard Crystal call out to Randal for help. Seconds after her plea, a single gunshot was fired. Frank Zyzanski then fled the house and drove away.
Law enforcement was called to the scene, and Randal's nine-year-old child identified their grandfather as the shooter. An autopsy later confirmed that Crystal's death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the neck. Utilizing his cell phone data, police were able to track Frank Zyzanski to a motel in Lansing, Illinois, where he was taken into custody.
During his trial, Frank Zyzanski claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that Crystal had lunged at him. However, the jury found him guilty of murder. He was subsequently sentenced to sixty-five years in prison for the killing of his former daughter-in-law. An appeal of his conviction was later denied.
