Family Critiques True-Crime Documentaries on New Jersey Shooting

The family of a New Jersey woman, who was fatally shot by an equestrian trainer with Olympic ties, has voiced their concerns regarding two true-crime documentaries. They argue that the portrayals within these films were skewed in favor of the shooter, rather than acknowledging the victim’s experience.

Netflix’s upcoming documentary, “Untold: The Hawthorn Hill Shooting,” set to release in 2026, along with a 2022 episode of CBS News’ “48 Hours,” delve into the tragic tale of Lauren Kanarek. The dressage rider was shot twice by Michael Barrison outside his Long Valley farm in 2019. Amazingly, Kanarek survived but Barrison was later taken into custody and faced charges including attempted murder.

In 2022, a jury in Morris County declared Barrison not guilty by reason of insanity, leading to his release from a psychiatric facility the following year.

The incident quickly gained traction in the true-crime community, prompting the aforementioned documentaries. However, after viewing Netflix’s portrayal shortly after its release, Kanarek’s family began to contest the filmmakers’ perspective, arguing both documentaries favored Barrison’s narrative while casting him as a victim.

Jonathan Kanarek, Lauren’s father, expressed his disbelief, especially regarding the “48 Hours” coverage. “It was just shocking,” he remarked, explaining that the view portrayed in the episode undermined his daughter’s experience.

He noted that the airing of the documentaries has led to public harassment against Lauren. This includes harsh comments on social platforms and a sense of estrangement within the equestrian community.

Jonathan further criticized the impact of these portrayals, stating, “These real criminals, this is what they do. Lauren gets a lot of hate mail, with messages suggesting she would have been better off dead.”

The family’s attorney, Stephen Beer, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing that the documentaries did not advocate for the victim’s perspective. After watching a trailer for Netflix’s film, he expressed concern about how the narrative would unfold and even requested to preview the documentary, which was denied.

Beer expressed disappointment, suggesting that the filmmakers missed the opportunity to shed light on important issues surrounding victim advocacy. “It’s baffling that they would overlook such a crucial discussion,” he added, indicating the films leaned towards a dramatic retelling rather than a fair representation.

Kanarek began her training with Barrison in 2018 and moved into an apartment on his farm with her fiancé. However, their relationship became contentious, as both blamed each other for the conflicts between them. Posts on Kanarek’s social media would later play a critical role in public perception and the subsequent legal case.

The tragic events culminated on August 7, 2019, when Barrison confronted Kanarek and her fiancé, shooting her twice in the chest. “I walked up to him, and he just stared at me,” Kanarek recalled. “Then he pulled out a gun and fired.” Following the shooting, she was hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma.

After a month, Kanarek was discharged but faced significant long-term recovery, including serious damage to her left lung requiring multiple surgeries. Barrison was charged with attempted murder but was later found not guilty by reason of insanity, leading to him being detained in a psychiatric facility before his eventual release in 2023.

To make matters worse, Barrison was banned from participating in events sanctioned by the American Equestrian Foundation due to severe misconduct allegations in 2025.

A disclaimer in the Netflix documentary notes that it does not incorporate any additional evidence from either side, which raised further concerns for Kanarek and her family. While she received compensation for appearing in the documentary, Barrison reportedly did not, claiming he declined payment out of concerns over rights to certain documents.

With the release of these documentaries, Kanarek hopes that her story will not only highlight her survival but also catalyze necessary conversations about accountability and support for victims in powerful settings. “She wants her experience to help others and push for change,” her attorney said.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the shooting, Jonathan Kanarek hopes to transform his daughter’s painful experience into a powerful conversation about the vulnerabilities women face, particularly in environments dominated by powerful figures.