‘Slender Man’ stabbing case attacker found after cutting off monitor. What we know about the crime and the internet boogeyman
Morgan Geyser, who gained notoriety for her role in the 2014 stabbing of classmate Payton Leutner inspired by the fictional character Slender Man, was recently apprehended in Illinois after escaping from a group home in Wisconsin. Geyser, now 23, had cut off her monitoring bracelet before disappearing, prompting a police search that concluded with her arrest at a truck stop. The Slender Man legend, which emerged from an online forum in 2009, fueled the attack as Geyser and her friend initially aimed to impress the character. Following her original conviction and years in a mental institution, this incident raises concerns about Geyser's ongoing struggles with her past and future implications for her care. The case highlights both the impact of internet culture on youth and the complexities of mental health treatment.
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The Slender Man character originated from an online contest in 2009, aiming to create paranormal images, with Eric Knudsen, under the pseudonym Victor Surge, being a key contributor to its inception. The character quickly gained popularity, becoming a significant part of internet folklore, known as 'creepypasta.'
In May 2014, during a slumber party for Geyser's birthday, she and Anissa Weier planned to kill Leutner, ultimately stabbing her multiple times at a park. Leutner was left bleeding in the woods until a passing bicyclist discovered her and called for help.
Geyser and Weier were both 12 at the time of the stabbing, and they later stated that their actions were aimed at impressing Slender Man, revealing a disturbing fixation that had developed over time.
After pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder, Geyser was placed in a mental institution, while Weier received a sentence for attempted second-degree homicide due to mental illness, leading to differing paths in their rehabilitation.
Geyser's escape from the group home, coupled with her attorney's statements urging her to be responsible, has raised questions about her mental health treatment and the effectiveness of her monitoring since her release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the influence of internet culture on young individuals, highlighting the potential dangers of fictional narratives that can blur the lines between reality and fantasy, particularly among vulnerable youth.