Is Frances from ‘Worst Neighbor Ever’ Based on a Real Person?

Netflix is back with a chilling new documentary series, Worst Neighbor Ever. Similar to Worst Roommate Ever and Worst Ex Ever, the new docuseries tells the story of real-life cases of people who lived across from neighbors who made their lives hell, ranging from harassment to death.

Containing four episodes, it uses real-life accounts from people involved or related to the victims and perpetrators, interviews with law enforcement, body-cam footage, and more. The first episode deals with Frances Zaayer, a real-life person.

Who is Frances Zaayer from Worst Neighbor Ever?

The first episode of Worst Neighbor Ever tells the story of Shawna and David Scott, a married couple from Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Having moved to the city in 2002, David worked at a car parts factory and worked as a deputy jailer at the Montgomery County Regional Jail, while Shawna was on disability (via Decider).

Shawna already had a daughter, and the couple together had another daughter. Everything was going well until Frances Zaayer moved into the neighborhood in 2016.

She was an old family friend of Shawna and used to spend time with her family years ago. In 2016, Frances had just gotten a divorce and wanted a place to stay as her new home was being renovated. Shawna opened up her home like any nice person would. But soon, Frances started displaying disturbing behavior.

She started being disrespectful towards the couple and acted controlling. She was also racist and showed off her videos participating in protests against Islam. David also happened to be Black, and Frances started making cruel racist remarks against him. Things got out of hand when she reprimanded the couple’s grandson, forcing them to kick her out.

But it did not stop there, as she moved into her own home next door and began relentlessly harassing them, frequently calling the police on the couple. The two women even got into an altercation where Frances falsely accused Shawna of attacking her, resulting in a legal restriction keeping Shawna 500 meters away from Frances. After she was let go, Frances remained paranoid about the couple, worried about her safety and that the couple was not adequately punished for the alleged crimes they had committed against her (via The Guardian).

Unfortunately, on May 26, 2018, Frances walked into the couple’s home and first shot Shawna in the face and later David straight in the heart. David died, but Shawna survived, needing extensive surgery. She lost sight and hearing in her left eye and ear. 

Where is Frances Zaayer Now?

A still from the show | Credits: Netflix

After a neighbor made the call, Frances Zaayer was immediately arrested. She accepted a plea deal on January 11, 2022, and pleaded guilty to murder, second-degree assault, and wanton endangerment. She was charged and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

As per the docuseries and the former deputy sheriff of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Duane Kidd, Frances never explained why she committed such a crime nor showed remorse. Currently, she is at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in Shelby County, Kentucky. As per inmate records, she is eligible for parole on May 4, 2038.  

Are All Episodes of Worst Neighbor Ever Based on Real Life?

A still from the show | Credits: Netflix

Yes, each episode of Worst Neighbor Ever is based on real-life incidents from the United States, as Tudum reports. Each episode deals with a different case of a neighbor turned abuser. 

Episode 1, She Finally Snapped, deals with Frances Zaayer. Episode 2, Midwest Meltdown, deals with Monserrate Shirley living in Richmond Hill, who, along with her new boyfriend, destroyed over 30 homes in a shocking explosion, resulting in the death of two people. 

Episode 3, Fear Thy Neighbor, is about Miles Armstead and his wife Melina, who are harassed by their now-evicted neighbor, Jamal Thomas, resulting in a tragic event. Episode 4, The Executor, is about a wealthy homeowner who disappears and his litigation consultant claims she is in charge of his estate. 

Well, what do you think about Netflix’s new docuseries? Let us know in the comments below.

Worst Neighbor Ever is now streaming on Netflix.