The chilling events of May 31, 2014, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States, forever etched the "Slenderman stabbing" into the annals of true crime, a stark reminder of how fictional narratives can tragically blur with reality. What began as a seemingly innocent sleepover among three young girls devolved into a horrific act of violence, driven by a desperate, misguided attempt to appease a fictional internet horror character. This case captivated the world, not just for its brutality, but for the profound questions it raised about mental health, online influence, and the accountability of minors in severe criminal acts.
A decade has passed since Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, then just 12 years old, lured their friend Payton Leutner into a wooded area and brutally attacked her. The aftermath has seen years of legal battles, mental health evaluations, and the slow, arduous process of healing for all involved. As recent court rulings have brought new developments, it's crucial to revisit the facts of this unsettling case and understand the journey of those at its heart.
Table of Contents
- The Genesis of a Digital Myth: Who is Slender Man?
- The Perpetrators and the Victim: A Brief Introduction
- The Horrific Day: May 31, 2014
- Survival Against All Odds: Payton Leutner's Ordeal
- The Legal Battle and Mental Health Evaluations
- Sentencing and Confinement: Years in Mental Health Centers
- The Road to Release: Recent Court Rulings
- Beyond the Headlines: Where Are They Now?
The Genesis of a Digital Myth: Who is Slender Man?
To fully grasp the context of the "Slenderman stabbing," one must first understand the entity that inspired such a horrific act. Slender Man is a fictional supernatural character that originated as an internet meme in 2009. Created by Eric Knudsen (also known as "Victor Surge") for a Photoshop contest on the Something Awful forums, Slender Man is typically depicted as a tall, thin, spectral figure in a black suit with a blank, featureless face, often with tentacles or extra appendages. He is said to stalk, abduct, or traumatize people, particularly children.
The character quickly gained traction, evolving through collaborative storytelling on various online platforms. This form of collective fiction, known as a "creepypasta" (a portmanteau of "creepy" and "copypasta," referring to text copied and pasted across the internet), allowed the mythos of Slender Man to expand rapidly. Fans contributed their own stories, artwork, and even video games, making the character feel increasingly real within its dedicated online communities. For impressionable young minds like Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, who immersed themselves in this digital folklore, the line between fiction and reality became dangerously blurred. Their belief in Slender Man was not merely a casual interest; it became a consuming obsession, convincing them that his existence was contingent upon their actions.
The Perpetrators and the Victim: A Brief Introduction
The "Slenderman stabbing" involved three young girls whose lives were irrevocably altered by that fateful day. Understanding their individual backgrounds provides crucial insight into the dynamics of the crime.
Anissa Weier: Background and Role
Anissa E. Weier, born November 10, 2001, was 12 years old at the time of the attack. She was described as a quiet, intelligent girl who developed an intense fascination with Slender Man, sharing this interest with Morgan Geyser. Weier was seen by investigators and mental health professionals as the more proactive in the planning, believing that by committing the act, they would become "proxies" of Slender Man, gaining protection for themselves and their families from the entity. Her belief system, while influenced by Geyser's more severe delusions, was nevertheless deeply ingrained.
Anissa E. Weier: Personal Data
| Full Name | Anissa Emily Weier |
| Date of Birth | November 10, 2001 |
| Age at Incident (2014) | 12 years old |
| Role in Case | Perpetrator, co-conspirator |
| Legal Outcome | Pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide; found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Sentenced to 25 years in a mental health institution. |
Morgan Geyser: Background and Role
Morgan E. Geyser, born May 16, 2002, was also 12 years old when she carried out the attack. Geyser was later diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia, a severe mental illness that manifested in vivid hallucinations and delusions, including seeing and communicating with Slender Man and other fictional characters. Her belief in Slender Man was far more profound and pathological than Weier's, driven by her untreated psychosis. It was Geyser who inflicted the majority of the stab wounds on Payton Leutner, believing that this act was necessary to prove Slender Man's existence and protect her family from his wrath.
Morgan E. Geyser: Personal Data
| Full Name | Morgan E. Geyser |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 2002 |
| Age at Incident (2014) | 12 years old |
| Role in Case | Perpetrator, primary stabber |
| Legal Outcome | Pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide; found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Sentenced to 40 years in a mental health institution. |
Payton Leutner: The Survivor
Payton Leutner was the unsuspecting victim of the "Slenderman stabbing." She was a friend of both Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, and the trio had planned a sleepover. Payton was unaware of the sinister plot brewing in the minds of her two friends. Her resilience and will to survive in the face of such a brutal attack became a central, inspiring aspect of the story. While her personal data is not as publicly detailed as her attackers' due to her status as a victim, her story of recovery and moving forward is profoundly significant.
The Horrific Day: May 31, 2014
The plan to kill Payton Leutner had been meticulously concocted by Weier and Geyser over several months. They initially considered attacking Payton during the sleepover, possibly by taping her mouth shut and stabbing her, or pushing her into traffic. However, they ultimately decided on a more isolated location.
On the morning of May 31, 2014, after the sleepover, the three girls went to a local park in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They played for a while, then Weier and Geyser lured Payton Leutner into a wooded area, ostensibly to play a game of hide-and-seek. Once deep within the woods, away from any potential witnesses, the horrifying plan was put into action. Geyser attacked Payton, stabbing her 19 times with a kitchen knife. Weier, though not physically participating in the stabbing, was present and fully aware of the intent, acting as a lookout and offering encouragement. The girls left Payton for dead, believing their mission to appease Slender Man was complete, and set off to find the fictional character's mansion.
Survival Against All Odds: Payton Leutner's Ordeal
Despite being stabbed 19 times and left for dead, Payton Leutner miraculously survived. The injuries were severe, hitting major organs and narrowly missing a main artery by millimeters. After her attackers left, Payton, bleeding profusely and in immense pain, crawled to a trail where she was eventually discovered by a passing cyclist. Her discovery was critical, allowing emergency services to be called and for her to receive life-saving medical attention.
Payton's recovery was long and arduous, involving multiple surgeries and extensive physical and psychological therapy. Her resilience in the face of such trauma is a testament to her strength. In the years since the "Slenderman stabbing," Payton has emerged as a symbol of survival and hope, speaking out about her experience and advocating for mental health awareness. Her ability to move forward with her life, despite the unimaginable pain and betrayal, has been an inspiration to many.
The Legal Battle and Mental Health Evaluations
The arrest of Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser shortly after the attack plunged the legal system into complex territory. Given their young age and the bizarre motivation behind the crime, the question of whether they should be tried as adults or juveniles became a central point of contention. Prosecutors initially pushed for adult charges, citing the severity of the crime, while defense attorneys argued for juvenile court, emphasizing the girls' mental state and immaturity.
The Question of Competency and Intent
A crucial aspect of the legal proceedings was the extensive mental health evaluations of both girls. Morgan Geyser's diagnosis of early-onset schizophrenia played a significant role. Experts testified that she genuinely believed Slender Man was real and would harm her family if she did not carry out his bidding. This severe mental illness profoundly impacted her ability to understand the wrongfulness of her actions. Anissa Weier, while not diagnosed with schizophrenia, was found to suffer from a shared delusional disorder, influenced by Geyser's more severe psychosis and her own intense belief in the Slender Man mythos.
Ultimately, both girls were found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. This legal outcome meant they were not held criminally responsible in the traditional sense due to their mental state at the time of the crime. Instead, they were committed to mental health institutions for long-term treatment, a decision that aimed to prioritize rehabilitation and public safety over punitive measures. The case sparked widespread debate about the intersection of mental illness, juvenile justice, and the influence of internet culture on vulnerable individuals, particularly in the context of the "Slenderman stabbing."
Sentencing and Confinement: Years in Mental Health Centers
Following their respective trials, both Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser received their sentences, committing them to secure mental health facilities. Anissa Weier was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in a state mental health institution. Her legal team argued that she was a follower, not the instigator, and that her mental health issues, though less severe than Geyser's, still impaired her judgment. She was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
Morgan Geyser, due to the severity of her mental illness and her role as the primary stabber, received a longer commitment: a maximum of 40 years in a state mental health institution. She was sent to the Mendota Mental Health Institute. The goal of these commitments was not punishment in the traditional sense, but rather intensive psychiatric treatment aimed at managing their conditions and ensuring they no longer posed a danger to themselves or others. Over the years, both young women have undergone extensive therapy, medication, and rehabilitation programs within these facilities, preparing them for a potential return to society.
The Road to Release: Recent Court Rulings
More than a decade after the "Slenderman stabbing," the legal landscape for Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser has shifted significantly. Both have sought conditional release from their respective mental health institutions, arguing that they have made substantial progress in their treatment and no longer pose a threat.
Anissa Weier was the first to be granted conditional release. After spending years in a mental health center, a Wisconsin judge ruled in 2021 that she could be released under strict conditions, including GPS monitoring, therapy, and limitations on internet access. Her release marked a significant milestone in the case, signaling that the justice system believed she had been sufficiently rehabilitated.
More recently, a Wisconsin judge has approved a conditional release plan for Morgan Geyser. Morgan Geyser, one of two people convicted in the Slender Man stabbing that took place more than a decade ago, appeared in court on Thursday, July 17 (this specific date likely refers to a recent hearing, not the original crime date), where a judge granted her an early conditional release. This decision came after several months of review and testimony from mental health professionals who attested to her progress in managing her schizophrenia. Her release plan is expected to be even more stringent than Weier's, reflecting the severity of her initial diagnosis and actions. These rulings underscore the legal system's commitment to the "not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect" verdict, focusing on treatment and recovery rather than indefinite incarceration once a patient is deemed no longer dangerous.
Beyond the Headlines: Where Are They Now?
The "Slenderman stabbing" continues to resonate, and the public often wonders about the current lives of those involved. Here’s where all three are now:
- Anissa Weier: She was conditionally released in September 2021. Her life now involves navigating the terms of her release, which include ongoing mental health treatment, regular check-ins with authorities, and restrictions on her online activities. She is attempting to reintegrate into society, focusing on her education and personal growth, albeit under intense public scrutiny and legal oversight.
- Morgan Geyser: A Wisconsin judge has approved releasing her from a mental hospital, more than a decade after she nearly killed a classmate to please the horror character Slender Man. Her conditional release is recent, and she will be living under strict supervision, likely with continued therapy and medication management for her schizophrenia. Her path to full reintegration will be challenging, but the legal system has determined she has reached a point where supervised release is appropriate.
- Payton Leutner: The survivor of the Slenderman stabbing has shown remarkable strength. She has continued her education, attending college and pursuing a degree. Payton has bravely shared her story in interviews, aiming to raise awareness about mental health and the dangers of online obsession. She has emphasized that she does not want to be defined by the attack but rather by her journey of healing and resilience. Her life, while forever marked by the trauma, is a testament to her indomitable spirit.
The Slenderman stabbing remains a cautionary tale about the potent mix of mental illness, impressionable young minds, and the pervasive influence of online content. It serves as a stark reminder for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to be vigilant about children's online activities and to recognize the early signs of mental distress.
Conclusion
The "Slenderman stabbing" case is a profound and unsettling chapter in modern true crime, highlighting the dark potential when fictional narratives are mistaken for reality, especially by vulnerable individuals. We have explored the origins of the Slender Man myth, the tragic events of May 31, 2014, and the complex legal and mental health journeys of Anissa Weier, Morgan Geyser, and their brave victim, Payton Leutner. The recent conditional releases of Weier and Geyser mark a new phase in this decade-long saga, underscoring the focus on rehabilitation for those found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
This case compels us to reflect on the importance of mental health awareness, the critical need for early intervention, and the responsibility that comes with digital content creation and consumption. While the physical wounds of the Slenderman stabbing have healed for Payton Leutner, the psychological scars, and the lessons learned, will endure. If this article has prompted you to consider the complexities of mental health or the impact of online culture, please share your thoughts in the comments below. For more insights into the intersection of technology, psychology, and society, explore other articles on our site.
