In August 2019, Lauren Kanarek, a dressage rider, claimed she was shot twice by her equestrian coach, Michael Barisone, at his Hawthorne Hill estate in New Jersey. The incident left her critically injured but ultimately alive, leading to Barisone’s arrest and subsequent trial on charges including two counts of first-degree attempted murder. This complicated and tragic case resumed public interest with the release of the 2026 Netflix documentary, *Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill*, which features both Kanarek and Barisone recounting their tumultuous relationship and the events leading up to the shooting.
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Kanarek began her training with Barisone in 2018, reportedly drawn to his coaching experience as an Olympic equestrian. She paid $5,000 monthly for training, boarding her horses, and residing on the property with her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin. Despite her initial enthusiasm and dedication to improving her skills, the relationship began to deteriorate the following year. Accounts suggest Kanarek became frustrated with the amount of time she was spending training with Barisone’s assistants rather than with him directly.
As tensions escalated, both parties accused one another of bullying and intimidation. Kanarek took to social media to express her grievances, although she maintained that her posts were not intended to provoke a hostile reaction from Barisone. Contrarily, Barisone described a state of complete panic and turmoil in the lead-up to the incident. He stated that Kanarek’s behaviour had become increasingly erratic, mentioning late-night social media posts that he found concerning.
On the fateful day of the shooting, August 7, 2019, Barisone allegedly confronted Kanarek and Goodwin at the farmhouse they were residing in, armed with a 9mm handgun. According to Kanarek’s account, Barisone shot her twice in the chest before she managed to call emergency services. When police arrived at the scene, they reported finding Goodwin grappling with Barisone, while Kanarek lay critically injured, prompting immediate medical attention.
Following her emergency surgery and a four-day coma, Kanarek survived her injuries. Barisone was apprehended shortly after the event but claimed not to remember the shooting itself, recalling only waking up in a hospital bed, restrained. His legal team subsequently pursued an insanity defence, suggesting Barisone was in a temporary state of insanity when he fired the weapon. After a trial that spanned three weeks, a jury declared him not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022.
Despite the verdict, Barisone has faced significant repercussions. He has been banned from competing in events sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and was admitted to a psychiatric facility following his trial. He was released in November 2022.
In the aftermath of the shooting and the trial, Lauren Kanarek continues to pursue her passion for dressage riding, resilient in her determination to remain in the sport. The documentary captures her perspective, as she expresses a fierce commitment to riding, stating, “Come hell or high water, I’m going to continue in this sport. And if you want me out of it, you’re gonna have to kill me, like Michael tried to.”
However, the release of the Netflix documentary has sparked controversy. Jonathan Kanarek, Lauren’s father, voiced concerns about the narrative presented, suggesting that the filmmakers allocated disproportionate attention to Barisone’s perspective at the expense of his daughter’s experiences. This critique was echoed by the Kanarek family’s attorney, Steven Beer, who labelled the documentary a “classic and regrettable true crime” production and highlighted the need for sensitivity in the portrayal of victimised individuals.
The saga between Lauren Kanarek and Michael Barisone remains complex and layered, illustrated by the continued public interest in their story. Both individuals are navigating the aftermath of a devastating event that has indelibly marked their lives. Moving forward, the focus appears to be on ensuring accurate representation and advocacy for victims of violence, as Kanarek seeks to reclaim her narrative amidst the broader discourse surrounding their case.