The attack involving Morgan Geyser and Payton Leutner remains one of the most disturbing criminal cases linked
to the Slender Man phenomenon. Below, you will find a detailed breakdown of the incident, its background,
and the aftermath.
Table of Contents
- Details of the Attack
- Profile of Morgan Geyser
- About Payton Leutner
- Legal Proceedings and Outcomes
- Psychological and Social Factors
- Aftermath and Current Status
Details of the Attack
In 2014, Morgan Geyser and another accomplice, Anissa Weier, attacked their classmate Payton Leutner in an
attempt to appease the fictional character known as Slender Man. Geyser stabbed Leutner multiple times in a
forest near Waukesha, Wisconsin. Fortunately, Leutner survived after a passing cyclist found her and alerted
authorities.
The attack was brutal and premeditated, driven by the belief that harming Leutner would prove loyalty to the
Slender Man and protect their families from harm. The severity of injuries was life-threatening but did not
result in death.
Profile of Morgan Geyser
Morgan Geyser was diagnosed with early-onset childhood schizophrenia following the incident, which complicated
her involvement and trial process. After the attack, she was transferred to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute
for evaluation of her competency to stand trial.
Key points about Geyser:
- Charged with attempted first-degree homicide, a Class A felony.
- Waived from juvenile court to be tried as an adult due to the crime’s severity.
- Has shown signs of severe mental illness, impacting legal proceedings.
About Payton Leutner
Payton Leutner was a middle school classmate and friend of Morgan Geyser prior to the attack. Despite suffering
serious wounds, she expressed remarkable resilience and forgiveness toward Geyser after recovery.
Leutner credits the traumatic experience as a catalyst for her decision to pursue a career in medicine,
specifically driven by wanting to help others. She has publicly stated that if she ever encounters Geyser again,
she would thank her because of the inspiration derived from this life-changing event.
Legal Proceedings and Outcomes
Both Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier faced serious felony charges for the attack:
- Geyser: Attempted first-degree homicide (Class A felony)
- Weier: Attempted second-degree homicide (Class B felony)
Due to their ages at the time and the suspects’ mental health, the court decided to try both as adults. Geyser’s
case was particularly affected by her mental health diagnosis.
Post-conviction, Geyser has been under psychiatric treatment and supervised release conditions. On one occasion,
she escaped a group home by cutting off her Department of Corrections monitoring bracelet, which raised concerns
over her supervision.
Psychological and Social Factors
The attack was heavily influenced by psychological conditions and social dynamics:
- Delusional Beliefs: Geyser’s schizophrenia contributed to her belief in the Slender Man myth.
- Friendship and Jealousy: Jealousy among Geyser’s circle played a role; notably, Weier felt
jealous about Geyser’s friendship with Leutner. - Mental Health Support: Both attackers have been subject to court-mandated psychiatric treatment
to manage their conditions.
Aftermath and Current Status
Since the attack, Payton Leutner has focused on healing and moving forward with her life. She has publicly stated
her goal to “put everything behind me and live my life normally.”
Morgan Geyser remains under supervision with ongoing psychiatric care, though her behavior has posed challenges
for authorities. Anissa Weier had her internet and social media use restricted as part of her supervised release.