The killer behind ‘The Perfect Neighbour’: can Susan Lorincz ever be forgiven for killing Ajike Owens?

Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Neighbour’ reignites outrage as killer Susan Lorincz resurfaces from prison interviews

Susan Lorincz, the Florida woman at the centre of Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbour, has returned to public attention following the documentary’s release, which revisits the 2023 killing of her neighbour Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens. The 58-year-old was found guilty of manslaughter after fatally shooting Owens, a mother of four, through a locked door during a heated confrontation in their Ocala community.

The shooting began with a dispute over children playing outside and ended with one of the most shocking neighbourhood killings in recent Florida history. Prosecutors described Lorincz as a woman plagued by hostility, known for shouting at children and recording them near her property. Her defence claimed fear drove her to pull the trigger, but the court concluded her actions stemmed from anger, not self-preservation.

Now serving 25 years in prison, Lorincz speaks publicly in the Netflix documentary for the first time, calling the shooting a “moment of panic” and insisting she “never meant to kill anyone”. Her comments have been met with disbelief and outrage from Owens’ family, who say her words only reopen wounds that never healed.

Online reactions have been swift and fierce. Users accused Lorincz of exploiting the Netflix spotlight to seek sympathy, with some calling her interview a “performance”. Others said the documentary highlights how deeply rooted prejudice and fear can transform ordinary conflicts into deadly confrontations.

The documentary has also reignited debate around Florida’s controversial Stand Your Ground law, with critics arguing that it continues to protect aggressors rather than victims. Legal analysts suggest the case exemplifies how systemic bias and flawed self defence claims can lead to tragedy.

Two years on, Lorincz remains one of the most divisive figures in Florida’s criminal history. Her renewed visibility through The Perfect Neighbour has not softened public anger but instead revived questions about justice, remorse, and the price of misplaced fear.