The Perfect Neighbor premiered on Netflix on Oct. 17, 2025. Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, the documentary explores an alarming true crime case that quickly became one of the platform’s most talked-about releases. It recounts the confrontation between neighbors Susan Lorincz and Ajike “AJ” Owens in Ocala, Florida – an escalating dispute that ended in tragedy.

Rather than casting actors or dramatizing events, the film immerses viewers through real bodycam footage, 911 calls and surveillance clips. These elements all help to create an unflinching portrait of just how an everyday neighborhood disagreement spiraled into shocking, racially fueled national headlines. The documentary’s unique presentation of the events has prompted viewers to ask some big questions, including what happened to Susan from The Perfect Neighbor? Here’s what to know. 

Does ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ use real footage?

The Perfect Neighbor is built almost entirely from authentic archival materials. That means real-life recordings like police body-worn-camera footage, dispatch logs and surveillance video are front and centre. As director Geeta Gandbhir told Tudum, the goal was to let the raw footage tell the story of this tragic day. The filmmakers also made a conscious decision to steer clear of the usual narration or dramatized reenactments, in part to give the victim’s family a stronger sense of justice.

Because the approach centres almost entirely on original footage, viewers experience the events in a near-in-real-time fashion. This includes the escalation of tension, law-enforcement responses and community reactions with minimal filter. The editing choices, sequence of events, and inclusion (and exclusion) of certain footage inevitably shape how audiences interpret what really happened. For those worried about witnessing the violence at the core of the story, it is essential to know that the actual murder is not explicitly shown in the documentary. 

Who was Ajike Owens?

Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens was a 35-year-old mother of four from Ocala, Florida, and by all accounts, she was a devoted parent and active community member. Over time, she became involved in a deeply escalating dispute with her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, that centered on her children playing near Lorincz’s property. The latter repeatedly complained that the children were trespassing, making noise and generally disturbing her. As People notes, official reports and police records reveal that Lorincz also allegedly used racial slurs toward the children and filmed them playing in the area. 

What did Susan Lorincz do to AJ? 

For years, Susan Lorincz harassed her neighbors, and tensions ultimately escalated in the lead-up to the shooting. As shown on-screen in The Perfect Neighbor, Lorincz allegedly threw roller-skates at one of Ajike “AJ” Owens’s children, and in another confrontation, reportedly broke an iPad belonging to one of the kids.

On June 2, 2023, Owens went to Lorincz’s door to confront her about her behavior toward the children. In the ensuing interaction, Lorincz shot Owens through a closed door. Shortly thereafter, Owens was pronounced dead, leaving behind four children and a grieving community.

Gandbhir’s documentary frames Owens’s death not just as a tragic personal event, but also as part of broader discussions around race, neighborhood disputes and self-defense laws – especially the interplay between fear and the legal justification of force.

Is Susan Lorincz a doctor?

Despite some public confusion and speculation, Susan Lorincz is not a doctor. She has never held a medical license or a doctorate degree. Her reference to being “Dr. Lorincz” in headlines arises strictly from the moment in The Perfect Neighbor when she claims, “Listen, my name is Dr. Lorincz,” as The Tab points out.

Reporting and trial testimony reveal no credible evidence that Lorincz ever worked as a physician. Instead, her employment history includes roles such as working from home in insurance, being an EMT in her early twenties and joining the kitchen staff at a rehabilitation center, according to Entertainment Weekly.

What happened to Susan from ‘The Perfect Neighbor’?

After the June 2, 2023 shooting, Susan Lorincz was arrested – though not immediately. Instead, she was apprehended four days later for her role in the violent incident. Lorincz was charged with manslaughter with a firearm, along with additional counts including culpable negligence, battery and assault. Her trial began in mid-2024 and gained national attention. By August 2024, a six-member jury found her guilty, as People reports.

In November 2024, she was sentenced to 25 years in prison. At this time, the court determined that her act of shooting through a locked door at an unarmed neighbor was not justified, despite Florida’s self-defense laws under which she had sought protection, per ABC News. Now, she is incarcerated at the Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida. 

Though Lorincz did not participate directly in the making of The Perfect Neighbor, her interviews and courtroom statements provide insight into her perspective. Today, she expresses some semblance of remorse and describes the fatal incident as regrettable. As she told ABC News in a recent interview: “I just never, ever thought, in a million years, this would happen. It breaks my heart. I can’t take it back. I can’t replace her. I did an apology to the family, and I’m still so sorry. I know her kids are without a mom. I know that it’s been hard on her mom. I know everybody’s hurting. I wish I could change things.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did The Perfect Neighbor incident happen? 

This incident occurred in Ocala, Florida, located within Marion County. Lorincz and Owens lived in the same neighborhood, although it quickly turned from a tight-knit community into a traumatic crime scene. 

What was Susan Lorincz’s sentence?  

She was sentenced to 25 years in prison in November 2024 after being convicted of manslaughter with a firearm.