The family of Lauren Kanarek, a New Jersey woman who survived being shot by her Olympic equestrian trainer, has expressed strong disapproval of how her story was portrayed in two true-crime documentaries. They argue that the coverage unfairly favors her attacker, Michael Barisone, and has resulted in public harassment against Kanarek.
Documentaries Under Scrutiny
Netflix’s 2026 documentary “Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill” and a 2022 episode of CBS News’ “48 Hours” recount the events surrounding the 2019 shooting at Barisone’s Long Valley farm. Kanarek was shot twice in the chest by Barisone, who was later arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder. However, a Morris County jury found Barisone not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022, leading to his release from a psychiatric facility a year later.
Kanarek’s family, particularly her father Jonathan, has voiced concerns that the documentaries emphasize Barisone’s perspective, portraying him as the victim. This portrayal has led to Kanarek receiving hate mail and ostracism within the equestrian community. The family’s attorney, Steven Beer, criticized the documentaries for lacking victim advocacy and for potentially reframing the narrative for profit.
Impact on Kanarek
Kanarek, who began training under Barisone in 2018, experienced a strained relationship with him, leading to the tragic incident. Despite the documentaries’ portrayal, Kanarek and her family maintain that social media posts cited in the trial were not intended to provoke Barisone. The shooting left Kanarek with significant physical injuries, requiring extensive medical treatment and ongoing recovery.
Barisone, who was banned from riding in U.S. Equestrian Foundation events in 2025 due to misconduct, has not received financial compensation for his participation in the documentaries. In contrast, Kanarek hopes her story will inspire change and promote discussions on protecting women from powerful individuals.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
