The family of Lauren Kanarek, a New Jersey equestrian who survived a shocking shooting by her Olympic trainer, is speaking out against the portrayal of her story in recent true-crime documentaries. They claim that the narratives presented in Netflix’s “Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill” and CBS News’ “48 Hours” unfairly favor her attacker, Michael Barisone, and depict him as a victim.
In 2019, Kanarek was shot twice in the chest by Barisone outside his Long Valley training facility. The incident drew significant media attention, leading to Barisone’s arrest on charges including attempted murder. A Morris County jury later found him not guilty by reason of insanity, resulting in his release from a psychiatric facility in 2023.
The documentaries have reignited public interest in the case, but Kanarek’s family argues that the filmmakers have skewed the facts. “It’s horrible. In the case of ‘48 Hours,’ we were just flabbergasted,” Jonathan Kanarek, Lauren’s father, expressed in an interview. He described the coverage as “defamatory” and emphasized the negative impact it has had on their family, including harassment on social media and ostracism in the equestrian community.
Steven Beer, the family’s attorney, echoed these concerns, stating that the documentaries do not advocate for Kanarek as a victim. “I don’t think anyone who viewed ‘48 Hours’ or ‘Untold’ could see that as a slice of victim advocacy,” he remarked. The family had requested a preview of Netflix’s documentary to prepare Kanarek for its release but was reportedly denied, raising further suspicions about the filmmakers’ intentions.
Kanarek began her training with Barisone in 2018 and soon moved into an apartment on his property with her fiancé, Rob Goodwin. However, their relationship soured, leading to a confrontation on August 7, 2019, where Barisone shot Kanarek. She was hospitalized for a month and underwent multiple surgeries, ultimately facing a long road to recovery.
Barisone was charged with attempted murder and later civilly committed after being found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was banned from competing in U.S. Equestrian Foundation events due to allegations of misconduct. Meanwhile, a disclaimer at the end of the Netflix documentary notes that not all evidence from both sides was included.
Despite the challenges, Kanarek hopes her experience will foster change and encourage discussions around victim advocacy. “She is healing, and that is paramount,” Beer stated, highlighting her desire to shed light on the issues of intimidation and harassment faced by women in vulnerable positions.
As the conversation surrounding this case continues, many are left wondering how such narratives can shape public perception and the lives of those involved.
