A Wisconsin woman, Morgan Geyser, who was involved in a horrific incident where she nearly stabbed a classmate to death to please the horror character Slender Man, is set to be released from a mental hospital after spending seven years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. The judge approved her conditional release plan after experts testified to her progress in battling mental illness.
Initially, there were concerns raised by the victim’s mother about Geyser’s group home location being in close proximity to the victim. However, a new plan was drafted by the Department of Health Services and approved by the judge, addressing these concerns.
In 2014, Geyser and her friend, Anissa Weier, lured their classmate Payton Leutner to a park after a sleepover and Geyser proceeded to stab Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged her. The girls, all 12 years old at the time, believed they needed to carry out the attack to become Slender Man’s servants and avoid harm to their families.
Despite the brutal attack, Leutner managed to survive. Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in 2017 but argued that her mental illness made her not responsible for her actions. She was committed to a psychiatric hospital for 40 years.
State health officials raised concerns about Geyser’s trustworthiness, citing her reading habits and communication with a man collecting murder memorabilia. However, her attorney clarified that she only read approved material and ceased contact with the man once she discovered his intentions.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to the girls’ fascination with the Slender Man character, an internet creation known for its eerie appearance and mysterious nature. Slender Man has become a popular figure in various media forms, including video games and a 2018 movie.
Geyser’s release plan was approved by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Scott Wagner, following the retirement of the previous judge handling the case. Weier, the other girl involved in the attack, was released in 2021 after agreeing to certain conditions.
The release of Morgan Geyser marks a significant development in a case that shocked the community and shed light on the impact of mental illness on young individuals. It remains to be seen how Geyser will reintegrate into society after her prolonged stay in a psychiatric facility.
