Where Is Susan Lorincz Now? What Happened to ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Murderer

The story of Susan Lorincz and the 2023 shooting of her neighbor, Ajike Owens, captivated America at the time. Now, thanks to Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor documentary, the tragedy is back in the limelight.

The gripping documentary tells the story almost entirely through police body camera footage, including the events leading up to Owen’s death. It pulls back the curtain on Lorincz’s issues with Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four, and her children, who Lorincz claimed were continually causing trouble around her house.

In June 2023, Lorincz, then 58, shot and killed Owens through the door of her house. She was arrested and found guilty of manslaughter the following year.

Scroll down to learn more about Lorincz, her crime, sentencing and where she is now:

What Did Susan Do?

On June 2, 2023, Lorincz had an altercation with Owens’ children, who were reportedly playing in a field near her house. Lorincz allegedly threw roller skates at 10-year-old Izzy and swung an umbrella at him, according to an affidavit obtained by CNN.

A neighbor later told deputies that the same night Lorincz gave the children in the field the middle finger and allegedly yelled, “Get away from my house, you black slave,” per the filing.

Lorincz, for her part, called the police to complain about the kids, telling the 911 dispatcher, “I went and threw the roller skate over to the other side, the kid says he’s going to beat me up for that, and he’s mouthing off to me. I feel threatened in my own home,” according to audio obtained by People.

Once the children told their mom what had transpired, Owens went to Lornicz’s home and reportedly knocked on the door, demanding her neighbor come outside. Lorincz didn’t come out, but instead shot and killed Owens through her front door, claiming to police that Owens had threatened to kill her.

Lorincz claimed that under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, she was protecting herself with the use of deadly force after fearing for her life. Sheriff of Marion County, Florida, Billy Wood, however, said in a statement at the time that the law “does not apply in all situations” and “was not justified” in this case, adding, “It was simply a killing.”

What Happened at Trial?

Four days after the shooting, Lorincz was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault. Due to insufficient evidence, she was not charged with second-degree murder as Owens’ family had hoped.

Lorincz went on trial in August 2024, with her attorneys arguing self defense. The prosecution argued that Owens was unarmed and Lorincz’s door was locked, so she was not in immediate danger, despite her claims.

The jury deliberated for two hours, returning with a guilty verdict on the manslaughter charge. In November 2024, Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting Owens through the door.

Lorincz’s sister and an expert in psychological trauma were called to testify on her behalf, revealing that she was abused as a child and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the trauma. The judge ruled it was not a mitigating factor in the crime at hand.

“I am so sorry I took AJ’s life. I never intended to kill her,” Lorincz said at sentencing, per ABC News. “I am just profoundly sad. Not only did a mother die, but a daughter, a sister. I think of your family’s loss and know how hard it is to lose someone you love.”

Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, however, didn’t think Lorincz’s apology was sincere, telling reporters at the time, “Susan’s apology was a last-ditch attempt to save herself. It wasn’t sincere. She never showed remorse. As I stated before, her remorse that she showed, if any, at best, was for herself.”

Where Is Susan Now?

Following sentencing in fall 2024, Lorincz was transported to the Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida. She is currently serving her 25-year sentence and is slated for release on April 8, 2048, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

Lorincz gave her first interview since being incarcerated in September, telling ABC affiliate WCJB she was “terrified” on the day of the shooting, claiming Owens’ children had threatened to kill her earlier that day.

After Lorincz was asked whether she was capable of manslaughter, she replied, “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.”

The Perfect Neighbor is currently streaming on Netflix.