STATE OF FLORIDA
v.
TOMASZ ROMAN KOSOWSKI
Pro Se Death Penalty Case for Doctor (Plastic Surgeon) Accused of Murdering Lawyer
Case No. 23-02935-CF · First-Degree Premeditated Murder
Trial Begins
September 14, 2026
Pinellas County, FL
Judge
A. Joseph Bulone
Charge
First-degree premeditated murder
Court: Sixth Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County, Division D
Case: 23-02935-CF
Trial Type: Bench trial — no jury. Judge is the fact-finder.
Defense: Kosowski is representing himself
Death Penalty Case: Notice filed April 28, 2023
Public Depositions & Docs Library
Criminal Docket
Public Depositions on the Criminal Docket
- Debra Henrichs — Utility closet / identification
Deposition PDF
- Keith Wedin
Deposition PDF
- Robert Briggs — Forensic specialist
Deposition PDF
- Officer Brittany Rose — Corolla stop
Deposition PDF
- Todd Tensley — Heard someone in the bathroom the morning of March 21
Deposition PDF
- Det. Jerry Hunt — Tarpon Springs house / Seaview
Deposition PDF
- Civil / Motive Witness — Includes testimony identifying Kosowski
Deposition PDF
- Armando Masciantonio — Neighbor
Deposition PDF
- Four additional deposition transcripts filed September 10, 2026 — available through newest docket entries.
Key Docs
- Det. Bolton Affidavit — Dumpster, Monroe Station, phone searches, Corolla stop
- Det. Bolton Arthur Affidavit — Cash, masks, vest, guns
- July 11, 2023 Hearing Transcript — Bond, dismissal, Arthur hearing
- Suppression Transcript Vol. II — April 17, 2025
- Death Penalty Briefing — Aggravators and Eighth Amendment
- Federal §1983 Case — Kosowski v. Vonderheide, M.D. Fla. 8:25-cv-2954 (stayed)
What Makes This Case Unusual
Several features of this case are rare individually. Together, they might make for a really interesting trial.
No Body
Steven Cozzi's remains have not been recovered. The State is prosecuting a no-body homicide.
No Jury
Kosowski waived a jury for both the guilt phase and any penalty phase. Judge Bulone will decide everything.
Pro Se Defendant
Kosowski is representing himself. He handles openings, cross-examinations, objections, witnesses, and closing.
The Alleged Victim Was His Lawyer's Opponent
Cozzi worked on a civil lawsuit that was actively being litigated against Kosowski at the time of his disappearance.
The State Is Seeking the Death Penalty
A death notice was filed April 28, 2023. Kosowski has said he does not want to present mitigation.
Same Judge Throughout
Judge Bulone has handled this case since 2023 and will now decide guilt and, if applicable, sentence.
The State's Evidence
The State's case is built from physical, digital, and forensic evidence. No body has been recovered.
Physical & Forensic
- Blood and DNA — office restroom, Tundra, garage floor
- A fingerprint inside the utility closet
- A blue wagon that disappeared before police processed the building
- Masks, guns, and an EMS vest
- Syringes and succinylcholine
- A cadaver dog alert at a remote dumpster
- Approximately $280,000 in cash
- A license plate concealment device
Digital & Surveillance
- Exterior surveillance video at the law office
- License plate reader records tracking a Toyota Tundra
- Cell-site and Wi-Fi records
- A phone extraction including a March 25 search for "largo police warrant"
- A utility closet encounter one week before Cozzi disappeared
- A Toyota Tundra purchased for approximately $26,000 cash
- Garbage truck video from the Monroe Station area
People
Steven Cozzi
Steven Cozzi was 41 when he disappeared on March 21, 2023.
He was an attorney at Blanchard Law, P.A., 1501-B South Belcher Road in Largo.
Before becoming a lawyer, Cozzi worked as a Broadway wardrobe designer. He later went to law school and had a strong interest in legal-aid work.
He was married to Michael Montgomery. They first met in person July 13, 2018, became engaged the following year, and married October 17, 2020, in Homosassa.
His mother, Lois Cozzi, has been one of the family's public voices since his disappearance.
Jake Blanchard, owner of Blanchard Law, described Cozzi as one of his best friends. Cozzi had worked at the firm for about five years.
Tomasz Roman Kosowski
Tomasz Roman Kosowski was 44 when he was arrested in March 2023.
- DOB: January 8, 1979
- Born: Poland
- Occupation: Plastic surgeon
- Florida medical license: ME120247
Kosowski studied music and biochemistry at the University of New Mexico, later earning a master's degree in biomedical sciences. He attended Dartmouth, earning an M.D. and MBA, and completed plastic and reconstructive surgery programs.
He worked at the Laufer Institute / Dunedin Surgical Consultants beginning around 2016 and later practiced in Miami. The American Board of Plastic Surgery said his board eligibility expired in 2019.
At the time of the investigation, he owned a waterfront home at 511 Seaview Drive, Tarpon Springs.
The Civil Case Behind the Murder Case
Kosowski v. Dunedin Surgical Consultants, et al. — Pinellas County Case No. 19-003057-CI
Filed May 2, 2019. Kosowski sued former employers and associates over medical billing, lost income, and damage to his professional reputation. His claims included negligence, breach of contract, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Blanchard Law represented several defendants. Steven Cozzi worked on that case. Attorney Jake Pillsbury represented another defendant. Kosowski eventually represented himself.
December 28, 2022
Kosowski filed a motion seeking to remove Cozzi as counsel of record.
January 26, 2023
Kosowski attended a deposition at Blanchard Law. An argument occurred near the shared men's restroom — which later became part of the homicide investigation.
March 20, 2023
Kosowski sent another letter to the civil judge, calling newly produced discovery "hastily prepared tripe which fail to provide good faith answers."
March 21, 2023
Steven Cozzi disappeared the next morning.
The civil case became a long discovery fight. Opposing lawyers said Kosowski demanded documents that did not exist or were privileged and repeatedly attacked counsel over discovery disputes. The criminal case now contains a large amount of material from that civil case.
Before March 21 (According to the State)
The Truck
On December 26, 2022, the State says Kosowski bought a gray Toyota Tundra for approximately $26,000 cash. Prosecutors say it was never registered.
Gorilla Carts
State detention filings identify three carts purchased before Cozzi disappeared:
- Red cart — Shipped to Miami. Later recovered there.
- Blue cart — Shipped to Tarpon Springs. Never recovered.
- Black cart — Found at the Tarpon Springs property.
Other Purchases Identified
- Five rolls of duct tape shipped to Tarpon Springs
- A license plate concealment / flipping device
- A knife investigators say was not recovered
The Blue Cart
The blue Gorilla cart is among the items still missing. A boxed blue wagon appeared in the utility closet after the March 14 encounter. It was gone after Cozzi disappeared.
March 14, 2023
One Week Before Cozzi Disappeared
At about 12:54 p.m., Debra Henrichs / Heinrichs entered a utility closet at the office complex to check timers after the time change. She found a man standing inside in the dark.
What She Described
- Jeans
- Loose T-shirt
- White paper or surgical-style mask
The man said there had been a power outage. He left. Henrichs said she saw him leave in what she believed was a Toyota Tundra with a yellow plate — possibly from New Jersey.
The Blue Wagon
Afterward, a boxed blue wagon was found in the closet. No tenant claimed it. When police processed the building after Cozzi disappeared, the wagon was gone.
Investigators later compared video from March 14 and March 21 and believed the truck seen on both dates was the same truck.
The Fingerprint
Investigators attributed a fingerprint on the interior utility closet door to Kosowski's left index finger.
Defense filings note that 13 or more additional latent prints from the door and 12 or more from the electrical panel did not match him.
Identification
Henrichs later identified Kosowski. Defense filings challenged the timing and reliability of that identification.
Henrichs also reported seeing a man looking into the law office windows roughly a week or two earlier.
March 17, 2023
Four days before Cozzi disappeared.
Wi-Fi Connection
The State says Kosowski's iPhone connected to Blanchard Law Wi-Fi on this date. Cell records also placed the phone in the area.
Surveillance Activity
The State has referenced other visits to the property before March 21, including activity prosecutors characterize as recording vehicles in the parking lot.
March 21, 2023 — The Morning
8:34 a.m.
The Tundra arrives. Video shows a man bringing in gloves, a backpack, and a large box.
8:37 a.m.
Steven Cozzi enters the building wearing a red sweater. There is no video showing him leave. His wallet, keys, phone, laptop, tablet, and car were left behind.
~9:50 a.m.
The State says Cozzi went into the shared men's restroom. He did not return. Investigators later found a chemical odor, drops of blood, and evidence that a larger amount of blood had been cleaned from the floor. Testing attributed blood from the area to Cozzi.
~10:22–10:30 a.m.
Video shows a man in different clothing, same backpack, moving a heavily loaded cart. The State says the cart contained a large red bag or blanket. The man struggles loading it into the Tundra. Kosowski was on the civil-case Zoom at ~10:30 a.m. When he disconnects, the person on video begins moving the cart again.
11:46 a.m.
Largo Police respond after Blanchard Law reports Cozzi missing.
The law office had no interior surveillance cameras. A conference call connected to the civil case was scheduled that morning. The State says Kosowski participated from the Tundra outside the building. State filings allege he brought trash bags, a syringe, a paralytic, and a wagon.
Where the Truck Goes Next
License plate readers became a major part of the State's timeline after Cozzi disappeared.
The Route
Tarpon Springs
Tundra travels toward Kosowski's neighborhood. A plate-reader image allegedly shows what appears to be a covered object in the truck bed. Truck remains in the area for several hours.
South
Truck later travels south via Tamiami Trail / U.S. 41.
Loop Road / Everglades
Route passes through the Loop Road area and Everglades region. Investigators identified a brief stop that later became part of the dumpster investigation.
Miami
Final destination of the southward route.
Monroe Station — The Dumpster
Investigators focused on a remote dumpster near Monroe Station.
- A cadaver dog was brought to the location — the dog alerted
- The dumpster had already been emptied
- Investigators obtained video from inside the garbage truck
- The driver remembered that load — described it as unusually heavy with an extremely bad smell
- No remains were recovered
Investigators also identified records they believed showed Kosowski returning to that area from Miami on the night of March 23 — after the dumpster had already been emptied.
March 23 to 25 — Search Warrants & DNA
Search warrant activity at Kosowski's Tarpon Springs property began around March 23.
Blood Reported In
- Tundra bed
- Tundra cabin
- Headrest
- Floorboard
- Garage floor
The Critical DNA Sample
The State says a garage-floor sample contained a DNA mixture that included:
- Steven Cozzi's blood
- Tomasz Kosowski's DNA
The Gun Collection
Police reported recovering a large gun collection from the property. Some affidavits describe approximately 200 handguns and rifles, plus thousands of rounds of ammunition.
March 25 — The Phone Search
Before traveling back toward Tarpon Springs, investigators say Kosowski searched:
"largo police warrant"
That search was recovered during a phone extraction.
March 25, 2023 - Arrest
Police stopped Kosowski in a red Toyota Corolla at approximately 3:19 p.m. at 34 West Orange Street, Tarpon Springs (Tag: EMFK38).
Cash
Approximately $280,000 to $282,120 in cash. Some bundled in groups of $10,000.
Devices
- iPhone
- Prepaid / Tracfone
- Laptop
- iPad
Weapons
- Guns
- Pocket knife
- Taser
- Brass knuckles
Masks & Gear
- Ballistic vest marked "EMS"
- Gloves
- Surgical mask
- Ski-style mask
- Black plastic mask
- Guy Fawkes-style mask
- Hairnet
- Law-enforcement-style patches
Other Items
- Sponges
- Duct tape
- Syringes
- Sedatives
- Succinylcholine
- License plate concealment controller
- An EMS-style vest containing substantial blood
At the 2023 bond hearing, prosecutor Scott Vonderheide referred to the collection as a "murder bag" or "kidnap bag." That was the prosecutor's characterization at the hearing.
Still Missing
Despite extensive investigation, investigators did not recover several items central to the State's theory.
Steven Cozzi's Remains
No body has been recovered. This is a no-body murder prosecution.
The Blue Wagon
Shipped to Tarpon Springs. Appeared in the utility closet on March 14. Gone after Cozzi disappeared. Never found.
The Red / Orange Covering
The large red bag or blanket the State says was seen on video being loaded into the Tundra.
The Clothing
The clothing the State says was worn during the incident has not been recovered.
This
One of the more distinctive elements of the State's evidence is the presence of a specific medical compound.
What It Is
Succinylcholine — also called sux or suxamethonium — is a paralytic used in medical settings. It temporarily paralyzes muscles, including those used to breathe.
It metabolizes quickly.
What Makes It Significant Here
- Police say succinylcholine and syringes were found in Kosowski's Corolla at the time of his arrest
- Kosowski is a plastic surgeon with medical training
- There is no body
- There is no toxicology result showing succinylcholine in Steven Cozzi
The Evidence — Summary
Surveillance Video
Exterior video shows the Tundra arriving, Cozzi entering, a man later exiting in different clothing, and a heavily loaded cart being moved. The law office had no interior cameras. Cozzi is never seen leaving.
Blood + DNA
Cozzi's blood found at the office restroom. Blood in the Tundra and garage. One garage-floor sample contains a mixture: Cozzi's blood and Kosowski's DNA.
Fingerprint
Kosowski's left index fingerprint on the interior utility closet door. Defense filings emphasize many other latent prints in the area that were not his.
Plate Readers
License plate reader records track the Tundra near the office, toward Tarpon Springs, south toward Miami, and through the Everglades route — including an image allegedly showing a covered object in the truck bed.
Phone + Wi-Fi
Cell-site records, Blanchard Law Wi-Fi connection on March 17, phone extraction, and the March 25 search for "largo police warrant."
The Dumpster
Vehicle records, cadaver dog alert, garbage truck video, and driver testimony about unusual weight and odor near Monroe Station. No remains recovered.
Who's Who
Judge A. Joseph Bulone
Presiding judge. Has handled the case since 2023. Will decide guilt and, if applicable, sentence.
Tomasz Roman Kosowski
Defendant. Plastic surgeon. Representing himself at trial.
Steven Cozzi
Attorney at Blanchard Law. Disappeared March 21, 2023. Remains not recovered.
Michael Montgomery
Cozzi's husband.
Lois Cozzi
Cozzi's mother. One of the family's public voices.
Jake Blanchard
Owner of Blanchard Law. Cozzi's employer and close friend. Represented parties opposing Kosowski in the civil lawsuit.
Jake Pillsbury
Attorney involved in the civil lawsuit.
Debra Henrichs / Heinrichs
Witness to the March 14 utility closet encounter. Later identified Kosowski.
Beth Ordeman
DNA analyst, Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
Tiffany Gorman
FBI forensic accountant.
Det. Colin Bolton
Investigator whose affidavits contain large parts of the State's early timeline.
Sgt. Vegenski
Associated with the dumpster and cadaver dog investigation.
Court Terms — Without the Court-Speak
Pro Se
Kosowski is his own lawyer. He handles opening, objections, cross-examination, defense witnesses and evidence, and closing.
Faretta Hearing
The court checking whether a defendant understands what he gives up by refusing a lawyer. Kosowski had a limited Faretta hearing May 9, 2025 and a full hearing August 6, 2026. The court found him competent to represent himself.
Bench Trial
No jury. Judge Bulone decides whether the State proved the case.
Arthur Hearing
Florida procedure used when a person charged with a capital offense seeks bond. Kosowski remained held without bond.
Motion to Suppress
A request to keep evidence out because of an allegedly unlawful search. Prior lawyers litigated house and Corolla searches. Kosowski withdrew the suppression motions before trial.
LPR
License plate reader. Records where and when a vehicle or plate is detected.
AFIS
Fingerprint identification system.
DNA Mixture
A sample containing DNA from more than one person.
Cadaver Dog
A dog trained to detect odor associated with human remains. An alert is not a DNA identification.
No-Body Murder Case
The State does not need a recovered body to prosecute a homicide. It still has to prove Cozzi is dead and that Kosowski caused his death.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The State's burden. Kosowski does not have to prove innocence. He does not have to testify.
How We Got to a Pro Se Bench Trial
March 2023
Arrest. Probable cause. No bond. Not-guilty plea. Case assigned to Division D.
April 28, 2023
State files notice of intent to seek death.
2024
Trial dates repeatedly set and moved. Discovery fights continue. Kosowski seeks supervised internet access in jail.
May 1, 2025
Brunvand defense team withdraws. Kosowski accused his lawyers of fraud, forgery, and ethics violations. In court: "The conflict is money. Bjorn wants to get paid."
May–June 2025
Public Defender appointed, then conflicts off. Regional Conflict Counsel also off. Tania Alavi appointed from registry, then Daniel Hernandez, then Jane McNeill as co-counsel.
August 6, 2026
Full Faretta hearing. Kosowski chooses to represent himself. Says he does not want mitigation. Judge questions that. Kosowski: "It makes sense to me."
August 31, 2026
Kosowski asks for a bench trial. Judge asks if he thinks that's in his best interest. Kosowski says yes. Judge asks why. Kosowski: "I really have to answer that?" He waives jury for guilt and penalty and withdraws suppression motions.
September 14, 2026
Trial begins.
Trial Tracker
DAY 1 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Witness Log — Day 1
Day 1 Recap
Witness Tracker
Exhibit Tracker
Judge Questions
No jury questions in this case. Judge Bulone is the fact-finder. His questions to witnesses may be significant.
What to Watch
Key questions and moments to follow during trial.
Proving Death Without a Body
How does the State prove Steven Cozzi is dead? What happened inside the building where there are no interior law-office cameras?
Kosowski Cross-Examining Witnesses
How does he handle cross-examination as a pro se defendant? Is standby counsel sitting with him?
Debra Henrichs and March 14
The utility closet encounter. The fingerprint. The many other latent prints that were not his. The identification issues litigated in suppression.
The Blue Wagon
How does the State connect the boxed wagon in the closet on March 14 to what was loaded into the Tundra on March 21?
The Zoom Timing and the Cart
The 10:30 a.m. Zoom disconnect. The person on video moving the heavy cart at the same moment. How the State presents this sequence.
Blood, DNA, and the Garage Floor
The mixture containing Cozzi's blood and Kosowski's DNA. Beth Ordeman's testimony.
Monroe Station
The garbage truck. The cadaver dog alert. The driver's testimony. No remains.
The Corolla
The cash. The succinylcholine. The EMS vest with blood. The masks. The license plate device.
And if there is a conviction: no penalty jury. A defendant who says he does not want mitigation. A death-penalty case with Judge Bulone making the final sentencing decision.