Netflix's new true-crime docuseries, "Worst Neighbor Ever," launched with an episode titled "She Finally Snapped," chronicling the tragic story of Shawna and David Scott of Mount Sterling, Kentucky.
The four-part series, a spin-off of "Worst Roommate Ever" and "Worst Ex Ever," explores neighborly disputes that devolve into harassment, assault, and fatal violence. "Worst Neighbor Ever" employs a mix of photos, firsthand accounts, audio recordings, and animation to reconstruct events.
Shawna and David Scott, married in the late 1990s, relocated to Mount Sterling in 2002 to be closer to Shawna's family. David worked as a factory employee and a deputy jailer, while Shawna was on disability. Their lives took a disturbing turn in 2016 with the arrival of Frances Zaayer.
Zaayer, an old acquaintance of Shawna's, initially moved in with the Scotts while finalizing her divorce and arranging her own housing. Shawna soon observed Zaayer exhibiting controlling, bossy, and racist behavior, including sharing protest videos and mocking Islam. Zaayer also allegedly mistreated Shawna's grandson, prompting Shawna to ask her to leave in January 2017. Three months later, Zaayer purchased a property directly across the street from the Scotts.
Escalating Conflict
According to the documentary, Zaayer harbored intense resentment toward the Scott family. Her actions included building a driveway onto Shawna's grandfather's property and following Shawna to a tanning salon. A confrontation in Zaayer's yard led to an altercation that David Scott intervened to break up. Zaayer then contacted the police, resulting in Shawna's arrest in May 2017 on assault charges. Although Shawna was released, Zaayer's animosity reportedly intensified.
Zaayer allegedly exploited the justice system, contacting law enforcement repeatedly and pursuing assault charges and a no-contact order against Shawna. Shawna contended that Zaayer verbally attacked them while portraying herself as the victim to the police, claiming favoritism due to David's position as a jailer. For approximately a year, the Scotts reported being harassed whenever they left their home.
Fatal Encounter
On May 26, 2018, Frances Zaayer broke into the Scott family's residence and shot both Shawna and David. Shawna survived her injuries, but David Scott died from his wounds. In 2022, Frances Zaayer pleaded guilty to the murder of David Scott and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.