The Slender Man Stabber wins release from a Wisconsin psychiatric institute despite hiding a murder novel and sketching decapitated bodies. Photos courtesy the Waukesha Police Department.

Wisconsin’s ‘Slender Man Stabber’ Freed After 11 Years—Despite CHILLING Red Flags!

The Slender Man Stabber wins release from a Wisconsin psychiatric institute despite hiding a murder novel and sketching decapitated bodies. 🌐 #News #WaukeshaWI #Wisconsin #Crime

WAUKESHA, WI—Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren finalized the conditional release of Morgan Geyser from Winnebago Mental Health Institute on Thursday, nearly 11 years after she stabbed Payton Leutner 19 times in a 2014 attack tied to the fictional character “Slender Man.” Geyser, now 22, was 12 at the time of the crime, which she committed with Anissa Weier, also 12, in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

The 2014 Attack and Its Aftermath

In May 2014, Geyser and Weier lured Leutner, a friend, to a park after a sleepover. 

Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged the assault. The two later told police they acted to please Slender Man, a tall, faceless figure from online stories known for haunting forests and targeting children. Leutner survived by dragging herself out of the woods and alerting a passing bicyclist.

Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide and was committed to the psychiatric institute due to mental illness. Weier, who pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide, was also sent to the facility but released in 2021 to live with her father under GPS monitoring.

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Release Decision Sparks Debate

Judge Bohren first approved Geyser’s release in January, but state health officials pushed back the week before the Thursday hearing, citing concerning behavior.

They pointed to Geyser’s secret reading of “Rent Boy,” a novel about murder and black-market organ sales, which she hid from her health team. She had also been in contact with a man who collects murder memorabilia, sending him a sketch of a decapitated body and a postcard expressing a desire for intimacy.

During the hearing, Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Abbey Nickolie emphasized the state’s worries, calling these actions significant warning signs.

Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, countered that she hadn’t broken any rules, accusing the state of unfairly targeting her. He noted that the psychiatric facility staff permitted her reading material and were aware of the memorabilia collector’s three visits in 2023. Cotton argued that Geyser posed no greater threat now than before.

Judge Upholds Release Ruling

Despite the state’s objections, Judge Bohren stood by his initial decision, stating he saw no public risk in Geyser’s release. He added that the state failed to provide enough evidence to justify keeping her committed.

A follow-up hearing to finalize Geyser’s release plan is set for March 21.

The ruling marks a key development in a case that has drawn widespread attention since the 2014 stabbing, with Geyser now poised to transition out of institutional care under conditions yet to be detailed.

A Moment for Reflection

Jack and Kitty Norton from JackAndKitty.com offer a Moment of Reflection

Payton Leutner’s survival after enduring 19 stab wounds stands as a powerful tribute to her strength, while the lasting impact on her family and friends calls for continued compassion and support. The Waukesha community, shaken by the 2014 attack, has shown resilience in grappling with its aftermath, uniting in shared healing over the past decade. For readers, this case offers a chance to find light in dark moments, trusting that time and collective care can mend even the deepest wounds. — Jack and Kitty Norton, Founders and Editors

RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Paranormal | Wisconsin

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