True Crime Obsessed · True Crime Obsessed

The Perfect Neighbor

November 11, 2025·1 hr 21 min·5 clips

Susan's 911 call proves she shot Ajika just two minutes after hanging up, shattering her self-defense claim.

This episode covers the Netflix documentary "The Perfect Neighbor," which uses police body cam footage to chronicle a two-year neighborhood dispute. Hosts Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds, known for their comedic and empathetic true crime commentary, analyze the film's unique format and difficult subject matter. The documentary centers on Ajika "AJ" Owens, a Black mother of four, and her neighbor Susan Lorincz, a white woman who repeatedly calls the police on the children playing in their Florida neighborhood. The story unfolds through body cam footage starting in February 2022, when Susan claims Ajika assaulted her with a "no trespassing" sign, a claim neighbors and footage contradict. Susan, who rents and recently moved onto the kid-filled block, makes repeated 911 complaints about noise and trespassing, though the property owner permits the children to play. The hosts detail specific incidents: Susan admits to calling children the R-word in August 2022, falsely claims a doctorate, and uses an air horn against the kids. By December 2022, Susan is accused of setting off her own truck's alarm to blame the children. In March 2023, Susan is found to have damaged a private gate with her truck after being locked inside a property. A key insight is that Ajika, navigating the situation as a Black woman, instructs her children not to engage with Susan to avoid escalating police involvement. The hosts note the documentary reveals a "village" mentality, where multiple parents on the block collectively watch over all the children. They highlight a moment where a Black female police officer subtly bonds with Ajika, acknowledging the unspoken racial dynamics at play. The hosts argue Susan's language is riddled with microaggressions that escalate to outright racism, yet the responding officers consistently side with the families. The hosts express discomfort with the ethics of broadcasting traumatic moments involving young children but note the victim's family supported the documentary's release. They emphasize the film's power lies in making the viewer feel the relentless tension and injustice Ajika's family endured. Patrick connects personally, comparing the tight-knit, multicultural neighborhood to his own childhood in low-income housing. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending heartfelt empathy for the families with frustrated, comedic disbelief at Susan's actions. The hosts maintain a critical, educational perspective on the systemic and racial tensions underpinning the events. This episode will deeply resonate with listeners interested in social justice, documentary filmmaking, and real-life stories about community conflict. Those seeking a lighter, purely entertainment-focused true crime story might find the subject matter too heavy and ethically challenging.

As heard by us

A loud, messy neighborhood showdown sharpened by fast, furious commentary.

True Crime Obsessed turns The Perfect Neighbor into a loud, messy neighborhood showdown, with Susan's truck, the locked private gate, and the no-trespassing signs doing most of the heavy lifting.

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Why you'd press play

You want a heated recap of a neighborhood mess that starts with a truck, a locked gate, and way too much air horn.

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