Table of Contents
- The Attack That Shocked the Nation
- How She Survived the Woods Alone
- The Severity of Her Injuries
- Emergency Surgery and Medical Miracles
- Physical and Emotional Recovery
The Attack That Shocked the Nation
At just 12 years old, Payton Leutner became the victim of a brutal stabbing by two close friends. The attack occurred in the woods of Wisconsin, where she was lured under false pretenses. Her attackers, also 12 at the time, later claimed they committed the crime to appease the fictional character “Slender Man.”
Payton was stabbed 19 times and left for dead. The incident quickly gained national attention due to its shocking nature and the young age of everyone involved.
How She Survived the Woods Alone
After being stabbed and abandoned, Payton managed to pull herself out of the dense woods. Despite severe injuries and blood loss, she used nearby trees for support and walked until she reached a patch of grass where she could rest.
“I got up, grabbed a couple trees for support, I think, and then just walked until I hit a patch of grass where I could lay down.”
It was at the end of Big Bend Road that a bicyclist discovered her and called 911. Payton’s ability to move and seek help in such a critical condition amazed both medical professionals and the public.
The Severity of Her Injuries
Payton’s injuries were life-threatening. The stab wounds to her arms and legs damaged only soft tissue, but the wounds to her torso were far more dangerous. One stab cut through her diaphragm, damaging her liver and stomach. The other came within less than a millimeter of penetrating her heart and missing a major artery.
“If the knife had gone the width of a human hair further, she wouldn’t have lived.”
Doctors at ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital described her condition as critical, with her body struggling to stay alive.
Emergency Surgery and Medical Miracles
Payton underwent six hours of emergency surgery. The medical team was shocked by the extent of her injuries and the fact that she survived at all. After the surgery, she remained unconscious for some time, with an intubation tube in her lungs to help her breathe.
When she finally woke up, her first concern was the whereabouts of her attackers. Unable to speak, she communicated by writing on whiteboards.
Physical and Emotional Recovery
Payton’s recovery was long and difficult. Physically, she faced a challenging rehabilitation process. Emotionally, the trauma left deep scars. She was frightened and often slept in her mother’s bed to feel safe at night.
Despite the pain and fear, Payton’s story is one of incredible resilience. Her survival and recovery continue to inspire many, highlighting the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.