CHARDON, Ohio — A Geauga County man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the deliberate killing of his former wife, a crime that occurred just one day before a custody hearing. The judge highlighted evidence indicating that the murder was premeditated rather than a spontaneous act.
Steven Kurzinger, 37, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder following the June 25, 2025, shooting of Alexandra Kurzinger, also 37, outside her home. The couple, who shared five children, was scheduled for a critical court appearance regarding their custody arrangements at a Lake County courthouse the following day. By entering his guilty plea on June 17, Kurzinger avoided going to trial, but the judge was left to decide his sentence.
During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution presented substantial evidence suggesting the killing had been planned. Chardon Police Lt. Matthew Delisa revealed that Kurzinger had purchased a handgun from a pawnshop about a week prior to the incident. Communications retrieved from the couple’s conversation on the day of the shooting painted a complex picture; Steven had reached out to discuss planning for upcoming holidays and expressed hopes of improved co-parenting. Alexandra agreed to meet but made it clear that any hostility would lead her to exit the conversation.
The prosecutor’s case also included surveillance footage that documented Kurzinger’s movements in the hours leading up to the murder. After an initial discussion in Alexandra’s driveway, he was seen leaving, only to later drive to a local gas station. A minute after he returned to Alexandra’s home and sent her a text saying, “I’m back,” gunfire erupted. Investigators determined she was shot twice, one bullet fired at close range after she had fallen to the ground.
Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz emphasized during the hearing the significance of the timing of the murder, suggesting it was orchestrated to sabotage Alexandra’s appearance in court. According to the prosecutor, Kurzinger’s actions demonstrated a deliberate choice to return to the home rather than an impulsive confrontation.
Other evidence presented during the sentencing illustrated the couple’s turbulent history. Phone records revealed that Kurzinger had saved Alexandra’s contact information with a derogatory nickname, reflecting ongoing tensions. Court documents disclosed years of legal battles stemming from their divorce, with the upcoming hearing highlighting the stakes involved.
Following the shooting, authorities quickly launched an investigation. A neighbor alerted law enforcement after hearing gunfire, and responders arrived to find Alexandra lifeless outside her residence. Kurzinger was apprehended at a nearby location shortly after, where he reportedly confessed to the killing. Police recovered the handgun suspected to have been used in the shooting from his vehicle.
Initially charged with murder and facing a significant bond, Kurzinger was later indicted on upgraded charges that included aggravated murder. While his defense team raised concerns regarding his mental health, a court ruling found him legally sane at the time of the incident. He eventually opted to plead guilty, accepting a plea deal that resulted in the dismissal of other charges.
At the sentencing, defense attorney Matthew Bangerter urged the judge to consider Kurzinger’s mental health challenges and the steps he had taken for self-improvement while incarcerated. He noted that Kurzinger had limited prior criminal offenses, arguing for the potential of rehabilitation.
Family and friends of Alexandra Kurzinger addressed the court, expressing the deep scars left on their lives by her tragic death. Supporters wore shirts in her memory and spoke passionately about the permanent emotional toll on her children and loved ones.
Before the sentence was imposed, Kurzinger expressed remorse, stating that he never intended to harm anyone other than Alexandra. He expressed a desire for personal growth and the hope of returning to society someday, but the judge remained unconvinced.
Judge Matt Rambo characterized the evidence as indicative of a carefully executed plan, rather than a crime borne out of a moment’s rage. He underscored the gravity of the act, emphasizing that murder is a rare occurrence in Geauga County and stressing that the circumstances warranted a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The judge’s decision effectively closes the chapter on a case that began with Alexandra Kurzinger’s death, encompassing an indictment and a guilty plea while leaving open the potential for appeal in the future.