A Surgeon, a Lawsuit, and a Missing Lawyer

Dr. Tomasz "Tom" Kazowski was an Ivy League-educated plastic surgeon who lived in an upscale gated community in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He studied at Dartmouth Medical School, earning degrees in biochemistry, business, and biomedical sciences. But by 2023, he was no longer in his waterfront mansion. He was in the Pinellas County Jail, charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of attorney Stephen Cozzi. The trial began with a remarkable scene: Kazowski chose to represent himself, and for the first several days, he barely participated—no opening statement, no cross-examination of witnesses. He was seen smiling in court, raising his hand, and looking bored. Then, on Thursday, he finally started asking questions. "Any cross-examination?" the judge asked. "Yes," Kazowski replied. "A lot."

From Civil Litigation to Personal Vendetta

The relationship between Kazowski and Cozzi began through a lawsuit Kazowski filed in May 2019. Kazowski was suing a group of wealthy doctors—plastic surgeons, chiropractors, surgery center owners—claiming they owed him money for services he provided. Cozzi represented those doctors. Jacob Pillsbury, another attorney involved in the case, described Cozzi as representing individuals "with many businesses that are well known in the area" and "massive money."