Morgan Geyser is widely known for her connection to the 2014 Slender Man stabbing case, but her background and early life provide important context for understanding the factors that shaped her story. Here, I will share key insights into her upbringing, family, and the events leading up to the incident.
Table of Contents
- Birth and Family Background
- Childhood Environment
- Mental Health and Family History
- Social Life at School
- Influence of Internet Culture
- Psychiatric Care and Education
- Current Status After Release
1. Birth and Family Background
Morgan Lea Geyser was born on May 16, 2002, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. She grew up in a middle-class American family and attended local schools in the area. Her parents are Matthew and Angie Geyser.
A significant medical detail in her family background is that her father, Matthew, suffered from schizophrenia during his adolescence, leading to multiple hospitalizations in his early teens. This familial history has been noted as important in understanding Morgan’s later mental health diagnosis.
2. Childhood Environment
Morgan experienced a relatively ordinary childhood in her hometown, though reports suggest she was somewhat socially isolated. She was described by peers as often being alone or withdrawn, which contributed to her forming friendships with children who were also on the social margins.
Attending Horning Middle School in Waukesha, Morgan met one of her closest friends, Payton Leutner, after the school year began in 2013. Their friendship developed in the context of these social challenges.
3. Mental Health and Family History
Morgan’s mental health became a critical issue early on. By age 12, she was diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia. This diagnosis was connected not only to her symptoms but also to the genetic predisposition from her father’s similar illness.
During legal proceedings related to the stabbing case, medical experts highlighted that Morgan’s fragile mental health was adversely affected by the stresses of incarceration and confinement, requiring specialized psychiatric care.
4. Social Life at School
Morgan and her friend Anissa Weier were considered socially isolated at school. Their friendships were often limited to a small circle which included Payton Leutner, the victim in the stabbing case.
Their social difficulties contributed to their immersion in alternative sources of social connection, including online communities, which became influential in their behavior.
5. Influence of Internet Culture
One of the pivotal influences in Morgan’s early life was the exposure to “Creepypasta,” a website full of fictional horror stories and mythologies created by users. The story of Slender Man, a tall, unhuman figure without a face, originated on this site and gained a cult-like following.
Morgan and Anissa reportedly believed in and wanted to appease Slender Man, which tragically culminated in the attack on Payton. This digital legend spurred their imagination and influenced their criminal actions.
6. Psychiatric Care and Education
After the incident, Morgan was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where she was the youngest patient admitted. Between 2017 to 2025, she remained under state psychiatric care, receiving ongoing therapy and monitored education to support her mental health stabilization.
During this time, she did not have a traditional career path but focused on treatment and education under state supervision.
7. Current Status After Release
In July 2025, Morgan Geyser was granted release from the psychiatric facility after more than a decade of treatment. She moved into community-based supervised housing with electronic monitoring and continues to be under some level of supervision.
As of late 2025, Morgan remains single, without children, and has not publicly engaged with social media.
“Morgan’s story illustrates the complexity of mental illness, family history, and digital culture in modern youth.”