Wisconsin Judge Sends Slender Man Attacker Morgan Geyser Back to Hospital

A Wisconsin woman who attempted to murder her classmate at the age of 12 has been ordered back to a psychiatric hospital following an escape from her group home. On November 22, 2023, the Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, K. Scott Wagner, revoked the conditional release of Morgan Geyser, now 23 years old, after she cut off her GPS monitor and fled the state.

Geyser, alongside her friend Anissa Weier, lured their classmate Payton Leutner to a park in Waukesha in May 2014. During the attack, Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged her. Leutner survived the brutal assault, thanks to a passing bicyclist who discovered her and sought help. At the time of the incident, all three girls were only 12 years old.

The motive behind the attack stemmed from Geyser and Weier’s belief in the fictional character known as Slender Man. They hoped that by committing the crime, they would become his servants and protect their families from harm. Following the attack, both Geyser and Weier were committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute—Geyser for a term of 40 years and Weier for 25 years. Weier received conditional release in 2021.

In September 2023, Judge Wagner granted Geyser conditional release, despite warnings from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services regarding her trustworthiness. Geyser was placed in a group home in Madison, Wisconsin. However, she escaped with a 43-year-old companion, cutting off her GPS monitor. The two were apprehended the following day at a truck stop near Chicago, approximately 170 miles (274 kilometers) from Madison.

According to Geyser’s companion, the two had formed a friendship through their church and had been spending time together daily. Geyser reportedly decided to flee because she feared the group home would restrict their contact.

During a brief hearing, Geyser, through her attorney Tony Cotton, indicated she would not contest the revocation of her release privileges. Judge Wagner subsequently approved the state’s request to return her to a psychiatric facility.

The Slender Man character, created by Eric Knudsen in 2009, originated as an internet meme. It features a tall, faceless figure photoshopped into images of children, becoming a popular figure in various media, including video games, online stories, and a 2018 film.

This case continues to cast a shadow over the discussions surrounding mental health, juvenile justice, and the influence of internet culture on young minds.