The family of Lauren Kanarek, a New Jersey woman who was shot by her Olympic equestrian trainer, Michael Barisone, is criticizing the portrayal of the case in two true crime documentaries. The documentaries, Netflix’s "Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill" and CBS News’ "48 Hours," are said to favor Barisone's perspective and depict him as a victim. Kanarek was shot twice in 2019, and Barisone was later arrested and found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022.
Kanarek's family claims the documentaries have led to public harassment against her, including negative comments on social media. Jonathan Kanarek, Lauren's father, expressed his dismay at the documentaries' focus on Barisone, stating that they were "defamatory" towards Lauren. Steven Beer, the family's attorney, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the documentaries do not advocate for victims.
The family sought to view the Netflix documentary prior to its release to help manage Lauren's anxiety but were denied. Beer criticized the filmmakers for not adequately representing Kanarek's side of the story and for potentially prioritizing entertainment over responsible storytelling.
The shooting incident occurred after Kanarek had been training under Barisone, and tensions escalated, leading to the shooting. Kanarek survived but has faced ongoing recovery challenges. Barisone was civilly committed after his trial and was released in 2023. Following the documentaries' release, Kanarek hopes to use her experience to advocate for change in how institutions support women facing harassment and intimidation.
