Right now, the heartbreaking story of one community is being told in Netflix documentary film, The Perfect Neighbor. It shows through police bodycam footage how community disagreements ended in one woman losing her life.
Susan Lorincz shot and killed her neighbour, Ajike Owens, who was a Black woman, and mother-of-four. Lorincz argued she “feared for her life” but bodycam footage from countless police visits showed the relentless hatred Lorincz had for the local children, and her admittance of using racial slurs.
After one incident escalated, Ajike Owens was shot and killed by a single bullet that Lorincz had fired, through her closed and bolted front door. Susan Lorincz was later found guilty of manslaughter. Here are the details of the story that got missed out of The Perfect Neighbor on Netflix.
via Netflix
There was a lot missed out about Ajike Owens and her life
The Netflix documentary used bodycam footage to tell the story of what happened to Ajike Owens, and build up a picture of her neighbour, Susan Lorincz. Ajike Owens was described as a mother-of-four, who was a manager of a local McDonald’s and gave everything to her children.
But, there was so much more in her life. When Ajike wasn’t at work, she enjoyed playing football with all the local kids. She encouraged them to sign up to local teams.
Speaking to Metro, her mother Pamela Dias explained: “Ajike lived for being a mum. She was a football team mum, a cheer mum, very active in their lives. My granddaughter was in dance and gymnastics and Ajike sometimes worked two jobs to support them.
“She put them in private school and she instilled faith and respect. She was full of life and love, and her friends and community meant everything to her.” Ajike was also an entrepreneur, and had plans to start up her own business.
The director of The Perfect Neighbor has a connection to the case
via Netflix
Heartbreakingly, one of the main reasons the film came about was because its creator has a personal connection to Ajike Owens. Ajike Owens was the best friend of director Geeta Gandbhir’s sister-in-law.
Before a film at Netflix was even considered, Gandbhir had created films about the case. She filmed protests and vigils, sharing footage with local news outlets in order to make sure more people knew Ajike’s story.
A fund was set up in honour of Ajike Owens
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In 2024, Standing in the Gap Fund was created, in honour of Ajike Owens. According to its website, the fund was founded “to support families like AJ’s who are suffering from loss and unsure of how to navigate the aftermath.” It was set up by Ajike’s mother and Takema Robinson, a friend who helped create The Perfect Neighbor.
The fundraising goal currently stands at $3.5million by 2030.
Susan Lorincz has spoken out in an interview from prison
Beyond the story The Perfect Neighbor told, Susan Lorincz has since spoken out about her crime from prison. She is now serving her time at the Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida.
She described her recollection of the incident in full, and said she “never saw the shot” because she was “so terrified”. Lorincz described herself “shaking and crying” because “it was horrible.”
When asked if she truly thought she was capable of killing someone, Lorincz added: “No. It just makes me sick. I just never, ever thought in a million years this would happen, and it just, 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.” Read the full interview here.
via Netflix
There was a lawsuit, as well as a criminal trial
As well as the criminal trial against Susan Lorincz, there was also a lawsuit. In July 2025, more than two years after Owens died, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lorincz.
According to WCJB News, the complaint was filed individually against Lorincz and Charles Gabbard, the landlord of the house where the shooting occurred. It was reported Owens’ family is “seeking at least $50,000 in damages.” The case is ongoing.
The Perfect Neighbor is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.
