In 2024, after fatally shooting Ajike Owens through her bolted door, neighbour “Karen” Susan Lorincz stood trial for manslaughter.
As told through Netflix’s new documentary film, The Perfect Neighbor, Susan was charged with manslaughter after robbing Israel, Isaac, Afrika, and Titus of their mother. During the trial, the all-white jury heard testimony from many of Susan’s friends and family, many of whom called her “very kind and generous” and “kind and loving.”
After the defence’s final witness, Susan made one last attempt for leniency as she offered her own statement to the court.
Credit: Court TV
“Good afternoon, I’m making a statement so you understand my actions and my reasoning on the night of the shooting,” she told the judge.
“My medical disabilities. I’ve had 25 knee surgeries on my right knee and ended up having multiple replacements and then a catastrophic failure due to an allergy. I went back to have another replacement, and I was burned during surgery, so I had gotten very ill, and my knee literally goes backwards.”
Detailing more disabilities, Susan said she had a laminectomy, which removes part of the spine’s vertebrae to relieve pressure, following a traffic accident in 2019. Further complications meant she required spinal surgery, and the doctors allegedly “didn’t know if I would walk again.”
She then detailed a number of falls that occurred because of nerve damage, the first of which was in 2019. Other falls resulted in frequent neck pain and migraines, and she also suffered from cataracts, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
“There is a reason I’m telling you all this,” she said before detailing carpal tunnel in both hands and diminished gripping capabilities.
“The first time I encountered Miss Owens was in February of 2022,” she said. “I was about seven weeks after the neck fusion, and she basically attacked me, and she threw the sign at me. I didn’t expect to be um confronted like that, and I had a huge red scar on my neck at that point in time.”
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Following the first run-in, Susan claimed to be “absolutely terrified” of AJ Owens. She also rejected the idea of the kids being within earshot of that final confrontation, describing AJ’s son Israel as “incredibly rude” when he allegedly called her an “old lady who is worthless.”
On the night in question, she recalled: “I also have an aneurysm on my left kidney artery, so I’m not supposed to be getting excited, I’m not supposed to have high blood pressure. This woman is terrorising me, I mean, she is absolutely terrorising me. If she hits me, she will kill me. Literally, she will kill me. I will bleed out internally. I’ll will exsanguinate, so was I terrified absolutely.”
After more waffle about never having been racist in her life, claiming she sang professionally in New York with a range of Black celebrities, she offered one final statement to AJ’s family.
During her sentencing, Susan Lorincz made one final statement to AJ Owens’ family
Credit: Court TV
She said: “To AJ’s mom, children, and friends, it is with a heavy heart and great remorse I write this letter to you. First and foremost, I am so sorry that I took AJ’s life. I never intended to kill her the night I shot the gun. I was confused as to why she was screaming and pounding on my door. I had an idea that Israel told her I had hit him. I could not understand why she was so angry, and she truly scared me.
“Now that I know he told her I hit him, I am just profoundly sad. Not only did a mother die, but a daughter and a sister. I think of your family’s loss and know how hard it is to lose someone you love without being able to see that person, hug that person or just talk to that person. I so wish I could go back and change things so that she was still here. I would trade my life so that she could be here if it were possible. I know that you have all suffered from her loss, and I have prayed for you and your family during this time so that God can help you.
“Nothing I can do will change the outcome. I can only tell you I have cried, and I feel horrible for my actions. Please accept my humble and sincere apology for this tragedy.”
Moments later, she was sentenced to 25 years.
The Perfect Neighbor is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.
Featured image credit: Court TV/YouTube
