The 36-year-old Willowick man charged with murdering his ex-wife at her residence in Chardon June 25 is currently being held at the Geauga County Safety Center on a $5 million bond.
The 36-year-old Willowick man charged with murdering his ex-wife at her residence in Chardon June 25 is currently being held at the Geauga County Safety Center on a $5 million bond.
Steven Kurzinger — facing an unclassified felony murder charge for the death of his former spouse, Alexandra Kurzinger — appeared virtually in front of Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terry Stupica for his arraignment June 27.
Steven, who did not enter a plea Friday, is being accused of shooting his ex-wife twice outside an Irma Drive address in Chardon around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Shortly after hearing shots fired, a neighbor called 911 and reported looking out her window and seeing a woman lying in the doorway of a nearby home, according to the Geauga County Sheriff’s report.
The caller said there was a gray or silver car in the driveway and that another man told her the woman was dead.
A “Be On The Lookout” was issued for the vehicle, Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus said in a press release June 26.
The Chardon Fire Department confirmed the woman, later identified as Alexandra, was dead upon arrival at the scene, he said.
Officers learned the vehicle and suspect were apprehended by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Concord Township at 9:37 p.m, he added.
The sheriff’s office media report said, “Lake County deputies advised he (Steven) confessed to killing his ex-wife and still has the gun in the car.”
Steven was taken into custody peacefully, Niehus said, adding there are no other suspects in this case.
Since being apprehended, Steven has refused to speak with investigators, Niehus said during a press conference June 27.
“Our investigation remains very active and we still have a lot of work to do. We’re working to understand the circumstances that led up to this event and the relationships between the people that were involved,” he said. “We’ve gathered a number of pieces of evidence including video and some electronics devices, which we still need to process and analyze.”
The fact Steven was in custody within an hour of the crime being committed is remarkable, the chief said.
“We’re working diligently to ensure that our investigation is thorough and complete,” he said.
Before opening the floor to questions, Niehus warned the gathered news networks there are still things investigators do not know or have not yet been able to verify.
Steven and Alexandra had five children together between ages 9 and 16, Niehus said, later adding Geauga County Job and Family Services has been in contact with Lake County Job and Family Services regarding their care.
“These children are in Lake County,” he said. “So that process is in motion. That’ll be worked out through the Lake County authorities.”
While Steven allegedly confessed to the crime, it was to the people at the location he fled to and not a police officer or sherrif’s deputy, Niehus said, adding he was unable to confirm Steven’s relationship to those people.
Niehus was unaware of a protective order against Steven, but investigators are working to verify what was in place and in effect at the time of the crime, he said.
The Irma Drive address is a leased house by Ravenwood Health, who provide mental health and addiction services.
Alexandra was the only person living there at the time, he said.
Steven and Alexandra had an ongoing divorce case dating back to 2021, according to filings in the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, which showed a pretrial scheduled for June 26.
If convicted of murdering Alexandra, Steven faces 15 years to life in prison and a $15,000 fine, Stupica told him during his arraignment.
Considering the nature and circumstances of the crime, the state requested a $5 million cash or surety bond, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said.
“Whether the defendant used or had access to a weapon, the weight of the evidence against the defendant and … a witness identified a car matching the defendant’s vehicle leaving the scene after the shooting, the defendant was found with the suspected murder weapon in his vehicle, the defendant confessed to a third party that he had committed the offense and there is GPS evidence placing the defendant at the scene of the crime,” he listed as other relevant factors.
In addition, Steven had a pending misdemeanor case in Painesville Municipal Court and a warrant had been issued for him June 25 after he failed to appear for a hearing, Flaiz said.
“There was a bond condition in that case that he have no weapons or firearms, so he was violating bond,” he said.
The state also asked that a GPS be used in the event Steven does make bond and that he have no contact with his children, Flaiz said.
Chief Assistant Public Defender Leah Stevenson, representing Steven, asked the court to consider a reasonable cash bond.
The main purpose of bond is to ensure the appearance of the client at any further hearing, she said, adding while Steven has a pending misdemeanor, he does not have any prior criminal convictions.
“He is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, he has deep ties to the community, including his parents, who live in Lake County,” she said, adding she does not believe her client is at risk of not appearing.
Stupica, however, disagreed.
“The court is concerned with community safety, of course,” she said. “Also, if he doesn’t appear for a misdemeanor, the court’s very concerned about that.”
Between community safety, Steven’s previous failure to appear in court and his bond violation by having a firearm, Stupica accepted the state’s $5 million cash or surety bond recommendation.
Under his bond conditions, Steven may not leave the state without court permission, may not have contact with the victim’s children or place of residence and may not possess firearms or ammunition, among other items.
Should bond be posted, he would be fitted with a GPS device, Stupica said.
Steven’s next hearing is scheduled for July 7 at 1:30 p.m. in Chardon Municipal Court.
