The Perfect Neighbor’s Susan Lorincz’s Conviction and Trial Explained
Susan Lorincz‘s trial for the murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens is back in the news after the release of the popular Netflix documentary, The perfect neighbor.
The perfect neighborwhich debuted on Netflix in October 2025, explains the events leading up to Owens’ death, which occurred in June 2023. Owens, a black woman, and Lorincz, a white woman, were neighbors in Ocala, Florida. Lorincz consistently called the police on Owens’ children for playing in the yard next to her house for three years. (Owens was the mother of four children: sons Isaac, Israel and Titus and daughter Afrika.)
Tension among the women escalated after an incident between Lorincz and Owens’ children. Owens went to Lorincz’s house to talk to her. After knocking several times, Lorincz shot Owens through her front door and in the chest. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Lorincz was arrested days later and charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two assaults.
The perfect neighbor primarily uses 911 calls and bodycam footage from frequent law enforcement visits to Lorincz and Owens’ neighborhood. The documentary does not contain any clips of Owens’ murder.
Keep scrolling to see what happened with Lorincz’s trial and conviction:
What did Susan Lorincz do?
Lorincz had an argument with Owens’ children after someone allegedly went to retrieve a tablet that had been left in the yard where they were previously playing. Lorincz allegedly threw a pair of roller skates and waved an umbrella at the children, according to an affidavit obtained by CNN. Another neighbor alleged to authorities that Lorincz called the children racial slurs, according to the complaint.
After the children told their mother about the incident, Owens went to Lorincz’s home to confront her neighbor and address the problem. Owens allegedly asked Lorincz to come outside to talk to her. Lorincz did not leave her home and instead shot Owens through her front door. Owens’ son was sitting next to her when she was shot.
What was Susan Lorincz’s defense?
When police arrived on the scene, Lorincz claimed she felt threatened by Owens and acted in self-defense. She claimed Owens knocked so aggressively that she feared her door would burst open. The investigation found no evidence that Owens had attempted to enter Lorincz’s home or that she posed an immediate threat. After being charged with manslaughter with a firearm, Lorincz pleaded not guilty.
Was Susan Lorincz found guilty?
A jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter in August 2024.
When was Susan Lorincz sentenced to prison?
In November 2024, Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
What did Susan Lorincz say in court?
Although Lorincz did not take a stand during her trial, she shared a statement of remorse after her conviction.
“I am so sorry for taking AJ’s life,” Lorincz said at her sentencing, according to CNN. “It was never my intention to kill her.”
Lorincz claimed she felt confused the night of the shooting because Owens allegedly yelled at her.
Where is Susan Lorincz serving her sentence?
Lorincz is behind bars at Homestead Correctional Institution in Homestead, Florida. Her release date is scheduled for April 8, 2048, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
