Naman Shrestha
When 27-year-old Jonathan Crews was found dead in his Texas house in early February 2014, shockwaves were sent across the entire community. His girlfriend at the time, Brenda Lazaro, dialed 911 and informed the authorities of the situation, claiming that he had taken his own life to prove his love for her. However, Jonathan’s family suspected her of being responsible for his demise. The investigation led them to Brenda’s ex-boyfriend, Matthew Kirk, who provided insight into his relationship with her.
Matthew Kirk Testified Against Brenda Lazaro in Her Civil Trial
During his time at North Lake College, Matthew Kirk attended kung fu classes in the first semester. It was in these classes that he crossed paths with Brenda Lazaro. As they bonded over their shared passion for martial arts, the two formed a romantic connection and started dating. Throughout their four-year relationship, the couple went through multiple ups and downs. As per Matthew, “She was jealous of any woman I talked to. She would always say things such as, ‘You like her?’ … She just got crazy whenever I went around any girl.” He alleged that she also disapproved of him visiting his sister-in-law after she had given birth to a newborn.
In one of their altercations, he claimed that he had to call the police as she threatened to kill his mother. When things got out of hand, the couple broke up and went their separate ways. However, months later, Matthew got a call from Brenda, who asked him if he could kill her or provide her with a gun so that she could take her own life. This was just a day after her 27-year-old boyfriend, Jonathan Crews, had died of a gunshot wound in his new apartment in Coppell, Texas. Matthew was contacted by a private investigator hired by Jonathan’s family. He also took the stand during Brenda’s civil trial, where he testified about her jealousy of other women and how she allegedly harmed herself on a regular basis.
Matthew Kirk is a Man of Many Hats
Not only is Matthew an insurance expert, but he is also a ballet dancer, martial arts enthusiast, and a skilled artist. Primarily, he works as an Insurance Agent/Producer at his family-owned firm, Fariba Kirk Farmers Insurance Agency, in Irving, Texas. When he is not assisting clients with personalized solutions to better navigate policy options and risk assessment, he enjoys unwinding in the comfort of his home and indulging in his passion for art. He finds great joy and peace in channeling his creativity into acrylic paintings, which he then proudly shares on his social media accounts. His vibrant pieces often attract buyers, thus transforming his hobby into an artistic venture.
Also an avid animal lover, Matthew is a doting father to a dog named Maggie and a cat he calls his “blue-eyed devil.” Lovingly referred to as “monster,” Maggie has been an inseparable part of his life since at least November 2018. She has been his constant companion through many of life’s ups and downs. Whether it is watching television together or waking him up with snuggly cuddles every day, Maggie has always been by his side. The cat joined the family sometime in 2022. While it took some adjustment initially, the two furry babies became best of friends over time. Aside from them, Matthew is a doting uncle to his two nieces, one of whom is Lily. He never misses an opportunity to make them feel special, especially on their birthdays.
Being a ballet dancer himself, Matthew is quite fond of actor and professional ballerina, Kylie Shea, renowned for her work in ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ and ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.’ Aside from practicing his ballet moves, he is also dedicated to his fitness and regularly hits the gym. He also loves to undergo physical transformation to cosplay as his favorite pop culture icons during Halloween, such as the DC supervillain, Bane. In his downtime, he loves to soak up the sun on the beach or cook up a delectable Pot Roast on Persian Rice or Pizza in the kitchen. The compassionate individual is also committed to giving back to society. In July 2025, the Texas native launched a fundraising movement titled ‘No Hair, Don’t Care: Bold. Brave. Bald.’ to support those families and individuals dealing with Leukemia and Lymphoma by raising $2 million. As of today, Matthew is leading a fulfilling life surrounded by the warmth and support of his family and friends. They are an integral part of his life, and he loves to create beautiful memories with them.
Read More: Jonathan Crews Murder Details and Investigation Timeline
