Is Susan Lorincz really a doctor? Update on Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor

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The Netflix documentary, ‘The Perfect Neighbor,’ is currently a top hit, focusing on the disturbing murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens. A specific detail – the assertion that the killer, Susan Lorincz, is a medical doctor – has raised eyebrows. Please be aware that the content may be upsetting to some viewers.

There’s a lot of true crime content available to stream this month, but “The Perfect Neighbor” stands out as a difficult, yet crucial, viewing experience. The documentary mainly uses police body camera footage filmed over two years and starts by introducing a close-knit community in Ocala, Florida.

The street was once a friendly place where children played and neighbors were close. However, Susan Lorincz was an exception. As shown in a Netflix documentary, she became increasingly hostile towards her neighbors, and reportedly used racist language towards the families who lived nearby.

Lorincz repeatedly called the police about minor issues, which initially caused officers to take the side of her neighbors. This escalated tragically on June 2, 2023, when she shot and killed her neighbor, Owens, through the door, leaving behind a mother of four.

Is Susan Lorincz really a doctor?

In a police video, Susan calls herself “Dr. Lorincz,” but there’s no proof she’s ever been a doctor. Typically, using the title “Doctor” requires earning a doctoral degree like a Ph.D. or M.D.

She told police she had been arguing with a neighborhood child and, when the child told her to be quiet, she responded by saying, “Listen, my name is Dr. Lorincz. Don’t tell me to shut up.”

In another part of the video, the 61-year-old inmate – who is serving a 25-year sentence at Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida – told officers she “works from home,” which raised even more questions about what she does for a living.

In 2024, when Lorincz was sentenced, the Ocala Gazette reported that her friend, Crystal Jewel-Maksou, testified they first met while attending services at Ocala Farm Ministries.

I always remember Jewel-Maksou saying that Mrs. Lorincz was such a hard worker. She was incredibly kind too – she baked and cooked for all of us for years, and her singing at church was beautiful. She really was a special person.

Shannon Lynn Harris, a pastor at Anthony United Methodist Church where Lorincz was a member, told EW that she assisted parishioners with insurance problems because Susan had experience working in the insurance field.

It appears Lorincz probably wasn’t truthful with the police about being a doctor, but this hasn’t been officially proven. She is currently in jail, with a tentative release date of April 8, 2048, when she’ll be 83. However, she could be released earlier if she behaves well.

Missing detail about the iPad revealed

Before Lorincz shot Ajike “AJ” Owens through her front door, an iPad was brought up to the police. However, a GoFundMe created by Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, helps explain what really happened.

In the documentary, Owens’ child tells police they went to Lorincz’s house to get back a tablet. This visit resulted in Lorincz shooting and killing Owens. While the details surrounding the iPad were initially unclear, a GoFundMe page sheds light on what happened.

According to reports, Ajike’s children were playing near an apartment complex in Ocala when a 58-year-old white woman started shouting at them and using racist language, as stated by Dias.

The children forgot an iPad at a woman’s house, and she kept it. When one of the children went to get it back, the woman threw the iPad, hitting the boy and breaking the screen.

After learning what had happened from her children, Ajike went to the neighbor’s house with them to talk. When Ajike knocked on the door, the neighbor reportedly shot her through it, and Ajike later died from the gunshot wound.

Initially, police stated the woman’s identity was unknown, but she has since been identified as Lorincz. The GoFundMe campaign to support her remains active and has raised almost $475,000 as of today – you can find a link to donate here.

The money raised will help cover funeral costs, support AJ’s children’s education, and provide housing and general living expenses for his family.

The family is working with activists and national organizations to challenge Stand Your Ground laws, which Lorincz tried to use as a legal defense.

Stand Your Ground laws let people use deadly force if they reasonably believe it’s needed to protect themselves from serious harm or death. These laws eliminate the requirement to try and safely retreat before using force in self-defense.

The documentary concluded with data showing that “Stand Your Ground” laws are associated with a rise in homicide rates – an estimated 700 more deaths annually, representing an 8% to 11% increase.

Studies show significant racial differences in the success of self-defense claims. White Americans are far more likely to be believed when claiming self-defense, especially in cases where the person they killed was Black.

Dias pointed out that the shootings of Ralph Yarl and the killing of Kaylin Gillis in 2023 show how ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws can encourage people to use excessive force when claiming self-defense.

This situation highlights how the law could unfairly impact justice. AJ’s family is working with activists and organizations across the country to push for broader change.

You can now watch ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ on Netflix. If you’re interested in other true crime stories, check out the details on Adeline Watkins, learn about Ed Gein’s involvement with the Ted Bundy case, and discover the reasons behind Kendra Licari’s cyberstalking of her daughter.

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2025-10-23 18:23