The Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor chronicles the tragic 2023 shooting death of Ajike "AJ" Owens, a mother of four, by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz. The film, which premiered in October 2025, utilizes police body camera footage to detail the events leading to Owens’ murder.
Owens’ children are identified as Isaac, Israel, and Titus, along with a daughter named Afrika. Prior to the fatal incident, Lorincz had a history of disputes with Owens’ children, frequently calling the police regarding them. The Perfect Neighbor includes footage of police visits responding to these calls.
The fatal encounter occurred in June 2023 in Ocala, Florida. Owens approached Lorincz’s door following another incident involving the children. Lorincz fired a single shot through the door, striking Owens in the chest and killing her.
Owens was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. Her son, Israel, who was nine years old at the time, was standing next to his mother when she was shot. Isaac also witnessed the shooting and called 911 for help.
In August 2024, Lorincz was charged with manslaughter. She was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm. Three months later, Lorincz received a 25-year prison sentence for the crime.
Following the tragedy, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, assumed custody of Isaac, Israel, Afrika, and Titus. Dias has spoken about the profound impact on the older children, who felt a sense of responsibility for their mother’s death.
"In the depths of his soul, in his heart, he feels it’s his fault," Dias told MSNBC in 2023, referring to Israel. "Our 12-year-old blames himself for his mother’s death because he couldn’t save her. He couldn’t perform CPR. His words were: ‘Grandma, Grandma, I couldn’t save her.’"
On the first anniversary of Owens’ death, her four children joined family and friends to celebrate her life. A poem was read in her honor, according to Fox News.
Dias confirmed to CNN in 2025 that Isaac was undergoing trauma therapy. She also stated she was seeking therapy for Israel.
"It has been very hard for the children – they were very young when they lost their mother, and it’s something no child should ever have to endure," Dias told the outlet. "At the same time, they have shown a strength and resilience that continues to amaze me."