You probably remember the very iconic Phyllis Wills, the outspoken, fearless neighbour who stood up for Ajike “AJ” Owens. She was one of the few who truly saw the tension building in that Florida apartment complex long before tragedy struck. After the tragic event in The Perfect Neighbor, Phyllis Wills shared more details about Susan Lorincz’s behaviour towards the kids.
In the documentary, Phyllis is seen defending AJ and her children when police arrive after yet another dispute with Susan Lorincz. But what viewers didn’t see in detail is just how much Phyllis witnessed over time, and what she reveals about Susan’s behaviour is deeply disturbing.
So, what has Phyllis Wills said about Susan Lorincz?
Phyllis Wills via Netflix
At a press conference after AJ’s death, Phyllis described how Lorincz would regularly harass the neighbourhood children who played in the nearby field. “The field is a public field. We live in an apartment complex. Nobody owns anything, we all lease,” she said. “Even the field is big, really big, and the kids play on the other side to avoid all this confusion. But she [Susan Lorincz] comes out anyways. Anytime the kids are out there, she’s coming outside. She antagonises the kids, she calls them names, slaves, racial slurs, all kinds of stuff, all of the children.”
When asked whether Lorincz had ever targeted her own family, Phyllis didn’t hold back. “Yes, she says stuff to everybody’s children,” she explained. “She’s told my daughter that she was going to be raped if she didn’t get off of her property.”
Phyllis also joined others in calling for justice for AJ, urging the state attorney to consider the neighbours’ statements and the repeated racial harassment they faced.
Phyllis has continued to speak out since The Perfect Neighbor was released. She is reminding viewers that AJ’s story was the tragic result of a pattern of harassment that the whole community saw coming.
The Perfect Neighbor is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.
