Where is Susan Lorincz now? Update on Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor

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Geeta Gandbhir’s acclaimed documentary, *The Perfect Neighbor*, is now streaming on Netflix, covering the disturbing murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens. Viewers are understandably curious about the actions of Susan Lorincz and her current whereabouts. Please be aware that the film contains potentially upsetting content.

There’s a lot of true crime content available this month, but “The Perfect Neighbor” stands out as a difficult, yet crucial, watch. The documentary mainly uses police body camera footage from a two-year investigation and starts by introducing a close community in Ocala, Florida.

The street was once a friendly place where kids played and neighbors connected, but Susan Lorincz was an exception. As seen in the Netflix documentary, she became increasingly hostile towards those around her, even using racist language against her neighbors.

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

Where is Susan Lorincz now?

Susan Lorincz, age 61, was found guilty in August 2024 and received a 25-year prison sentence in November of the same year. She is currently incarcerated at the Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida.

She is currently scheduled to be released on April 8, 2048, at the age of 83. However, she could be released earlier if she earns time off for good behavior and by participating in prison programs.

Florida’s gain time system lets prisoners shorten their sentences by behaving well and working towards rehabilitation. It’s a way to encourage positive behavior and help them turn their lives around.

Last month, TV20 interviewed Lorincz in jail, and she explained what happened from her perspective. She described the events before the shooting, saying, “There were three boys nearby, close to my sidewalk, and they had their skateboards with them.”

I tripped over a skateboard, and when I asked the group to pick up their skates, they refused. I told them they needed to leave because they were trespassing, and one of them responded by threatening to kill me, or have someone else do it if they couldn’t.

She immediately started yelling and using awful language, even screaming and banging on the door, as soon as I asked her to wait a moment, apparently referring to Owens.

I said, “Oh my God, you need to leave! You’re trespassing. The sheriff’s department already told you not to come here, and you’re still here.”

She threatened to kill me, and I was incredibly frightened. She was hitting me repeatedly, and I was just terrified.

“I’m devastated,” Lorincz said. “I never imagined this could happen, and it’s truly heartbreaking. There’s nothing I can do to undo it or bring her back.”

What she said about the events doesn’t match the accounts of other people on the street. The documentary, ‘The Perfect Neighbor,’ provides a more thorough look, featuring several witnesses who state that Owens never threatened Lorincz’s life.

The numerous police calls made in the two years before the shooting also reveal Lorincz’s feelings toward the neighborhood children and how her anger was increasing.

During questioning, detectives questioned Lorincz’s account of events. She stated that about ten minutes after calling 911, Owens began pounding on her door. But a review of the 911 call records showed only two minutes had passed between the call and the moment Lorincz fired the shot that killed him.

Investigators discovered Lorincz had been researching “Stand Your Ground” laws before the shooting. During the trial, the judge stated he believed the shooting was motivated more by anger than by fear.

I read an interview with Dean Owens’ mom, Pamela Dias, and it was just heartbreaking. She talked about their neighbor, Lorincz, and how she was always causing problems. Apparently, she’d deliberately set off her truck alarm and then get mad at the kids! It sounds like it was a constant thing, and she really disrupted the whole neighborhood. Pamela said she didn’t fully realize *how* bad it was at the time, which is so sad.

What is the Stand Your Ground law?

The ‘Stand Your Ground’ law lets people use deadly force in self-defense if they reasonably believe it’s needed to prevent serious injury or death. It means a person doesn’t have to try to safely back away from a threat before using force to protect themselves.

Florida passed a law in 2005 that broadened self-defense rights by eliminating the requirement to attempt to retreat before using force. Lorincz was researching this law immediately before shooting Owens through her locked front door.

As a gun rights supporter, I’ve always understood the idea behind “Stand Your Ground” laws – giving people the right to defend themselves. But honestly, it’s tough to ignore the concerns about how it actually plays out. I recently came across a study from 2017 in the Journal of Human Resources, and it really made me think. It showed that states with these laws actually saw a rise in both homicides and the number of people ending up in the hospital with gunshot wounds. It’s definitely something to consider when we talk about self-defense laws.

This can also worsen existing racial inequalities within the US justice system. For instance, research from Texas A&M University showed that white individuals who claim self-defense against Black attackers are more likely to be successful with that claim than Black individuals defending themselves against white attackers.

The Perfect Neighbor explores how fear, bias, and the feeling of being threatened can lead to terrible outcomes. After the shooting, Lorincz was initially allowed to return home. However, following public protests and strong reactions, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office decided to arrest her.

During questioning, Lorincz confessed to using a racial slur towards the children, claiming she might have said it unintentionally. The detectives, clearly surprised, then asked her to explain when and how she would use such a word.

She explained that if someone was acting very badly, she’d always understood the n-word to mean someone was simply acting illegally or being unpleasant.

The documentary concludes by stating that “Stand Your Ground” laws are associated with an 8% to 11% rise in homicide rates, which translates to around 700 more deaths annually.

Studies show significant racial differences in how self-defense claims are viewed. White Americans are far more likely to be successful with these claims, especially in cases where a Black person is killed.

The Perfect Neighbor leaves Netflix viewers in tears

Since its release on Netflix on October 17th, the documentary has caused a powerful emotional response, with many viewers deeply saddened, particularly by the scenes of Owens’ children learning about their mother’s death.

One Reddit user shared that they cried several times while watching the story unfold. As a parent, they were deeply affected by seeing the boys discover their mother had died, and found some comfort in knowing that Susan, the person responsible, is in prison and will likely never find peace. They expressed that prison is a fitting punishment for her and they are grateful for that.

Someone else accused Lorincz of not just manslaughter, but of planning the murder. Another person said they actually had to stop watching the new Netflix documentary, “Perfect Neighbor,” because it was so disturbing.

Several viewers commented on the emotional impact of the Netflix documentary “The Perfect Neighbor.” One person called it a difficult but well-made watch, describing it as frustrating and deeply sad. Another viewer said they cried while watching, particularly moved by a scene where a young boy, after witnessing his mother being shot, responded to a question about injuries by saying, ‘No. But my heart is broken.’ They expressed sympathy for the children involved.

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2025-10-17 17:53