An inside look into the case of Lauren Kanarek, who was shot by her horse trainer, the former Olympian Michael Barisone.
Gunshots rang out over a 53-acre horse farm in Long Valley, New Jersey, in August 2019. The unlikely shooter was a former Olympian. Few could imagine him pulling the trigger.
An ambitious rider seeks a great trainer
In 2018, Lauren Kanarek began training with former Olympic horse rider Michael Barisone. Eventually Kanarek was paying $5,000 a month to train, board her horses, and live with her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, at Barisone’s horse farm.
A fall from grace
Michael Barisone was one of the best dressage riders in the country, representing Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He became a highly respected trainer who coached fellow Olympians and top-level riders.
But his life began to spiral out of control in the summer of 2019 when his relationship with Kanarek fell apart over disagreements about their arrangement.
Lauren Kanarek targets Michael Barisone on Facebook
Lauren Kanarek began posting her frustrations with Barisone on Facebook.
As the situation at the farm grew worse, Lauren Kanarek’s posts on social media seemed to deeply affect Michael Barisone, as he felt his reputation and career were being threatened. Barisone passionately denied her allegations.
Both Kanarek and Barisone say they felt in danger.
Barisone and his supporters say his mental health was unraveling.
The gun used
In the afternoon of August 7, 2019, Michael Barisone grabbed this 9mm Ruger handgun out of a safe in his office, then drove to the farmhouse on the property where Lauren Kanarek and Rob Goodwin were living.
The crime scene
Lauren Kanarek says Michael Barisone was hiding behind a bush near the back porch when, unaware he had a gun, she approached him. She says she started talking to him when he suddenly lifted up the gun and shot her twice.
Rob Goodwin says he was on the back porch when he saw Barisone shoot Kanarek. He says Barisone tried to shoot him next, but missed.
A struggle ensues
Rob Goodwin said he was able to tackle Michael Barisone to the ground.
Lauren Kanarek called 911 while severely injured and gasping for air. When the first cop arrived, he saw Goodwin on top of Barisone, who was badly beaten as seen in this photo of taken at the hospital after the shooting.
Lauren Kanarek struggles for her life
Lauren Kanarek, bleeding out, was taken immediately to the hospital for emergency surgery. Seen here in the hospital with a ventilator, Kanarek says she was in a coma for four days and in the ICU for three weeks.
Barisone says he only remembers waking up handcuffed
Michael Barisone says he does not remember grabbing the gun or shooting Lauren Kanarek. He says he only remembers waking up in the hospital with his arm handcuffed to the bed.
Barisone was charged with two counts of attempted murder the day after the shooting.
Not guilty by reason of insanity
Michael Barisone’s trial began in spring 2022, over two years after the shooting.
The trial captivated national audiences and lasted for almost three weeks. His defense team claimed Michael Barisone was temporarily insane at the time of the shooting.
This was a daring move by his lawyers, as insanity pleas rarely succeed. But after four days of deliberating, the jury found Michael Barisone not guilty by reason of insanity.
Lauren Kanarek still wants accountability
Lauren Kanarek’s father says Lauren was “shocked and dismayed” by the verdict. She is taking the fight to civil court, hiring an attorney to sue Michael Barisone on her behalf.
Lauren has started to ride horses again after a long road of surgeries and treatments.
Michael Barisone’s next steps
After the verdict, Michael Barisone was transferred to a psychiatric facility.
On September 7, 2022, Barisone had a court hearing, appearing much different than he did during his trial with a clean-shaven face and a haircut.
The judge ordered Barisone to be transferred to a less-restrictive psychiatric hospital for treatment. He will have another hearing in six months to check in on his progress.
