The Case of Steve Cozzi

Steven "Steve" Cozzi, 41, was an attorney working at Blanchard Law in Largo, Florida, when he disappeared from the firm's office on March 21, 2023. His wallet, keys and phone were left behind, while blood was discovered in the men's bathroom. Investigators identified plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski as responsible for Cozzi's murder after examining surveillance footage, forensic evidence and his movements around the law office. Cozzi's body has never been recovered. Kosowski was convicted of first-degree murder by a Pinellas County judge on September 23, 2026, following a bench trial.

Steve Cozzi was a 41-year-old attorney who worked at Blanchard Law in Largo. Before becoming a lawyer, Steve worked for approximately seven years as a wardrobe technician on Broadway theatre productions. He later earned his law degree from Stetson University and joined Blanchard Law in 2018. Steve married his husband in 2020 and was described by colleagues and family as a caring and well-liked person. At the time of his disappearance, Steve was representing the defendants in a civil lawsuit involving the Laufer Institute of Plastic Surgery and former employees of the practice. The lawsuit had been brought by Tomasz Kosowski, a plastic surgeon who had previously worked at the institute. Steve was therefore representing the opposing side in a contentious civil dispute involving Kosowski. The legal dispute had become increasingly hostile before Steve disappeared.

On the morning of March 21, 2023, Steve arrived at Blanchard Law's office on South Belcher Road in Largo. At approximately 9:50 a.m., he entered the men's bathroom. He never returned to his desk. His colleagues became concerned when they could not locate him. Steve's phone, wallet and keys remained at his desk, and his vehicle was still in the firm's car park. Police were contacted and began searching the building. A significant amount of blood was discovered in the men's bathroom. Surveillance footage showed a man arriving at the law office earlier that morning in a grey Toyota Tundra. The man was later identified as Kosowski. Footage subsequently showed the man leaving the building with a large wagon or cart. Steve was never seen alive again. His body has never been recovered.

Investigators quickly treated Steve's disappearance as suspicious because his personal belongings had been left behind and blood had been found inside the bathroom. Surveillance footage became an important part of the investigation. Police determined that Kosowski had arrived at the office before Steve and had been inside the building around the time Steve disappeared. Investigators also discovered evidence connecting Kosowski's vehicles to the investigation. Blood believed to belong to Steve was found in locations associated with Kosowski. Police recovered a number of items from Kosowski's vehicle and home that prosecutors later argued demonstrated preparation for the killing, including a wagon, duct tape, masks and medical equipment. Investigators also discovered that Kosowski had been involved in the civil litigation in which Steve represented the opposing parties. The investigation established that Kosowski had a history of conflict with Steve and had previously confronted him during the legal proceedings. Kosowski was arrested on March 25, 2023, and charged with first-degree murder. Despite extensive searches, investigators were unable to locate Steve's remains. The prosecution therefore proceeded as a no-body homicide case.

Kosowski was indicted for first-degree premeditated murder. After initially being represented by lawyers, he later dismissed his legal team and chose to represent himself. He also waived his right to a jury trial, leaving Pinellas County Circuit Judge Joseph Bulone to determine whether he was guilty. The trial began on September 14, 2026. Prosecutors presented evidence including surveillance footage, forensic evidence, blood evidence, vehicle evidence and testimony concerning Steve's disappearance from the law office. The prosecution argued that Steve was killed inside the office before his body was removed from the building. Kosowski maintained his innocence and challenged the prosecution's evidence, including the fact that Steve's body had never been recovered. On September 23, 2026, Judge Bulone found Kosowski guilty of first-degree murder. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2026. The State is seeking the death penalty, meaning the final sentence has not yet been determined.

Steve's case is notable as a no-body murder conviction. Although his remains have never been recovered, prosecutors presented sufficient physical, forensic and circumstantial evidence for the court to find Kosowski guilty of his murder. The disappearance also attracted significant attention because Steve vanished from his workplace during a normal working day, leaving his personal belongings behind, while surveillance footage captured the removal of a large cart from the building.