A Wisconsin judge has ordered that Morgan Geyser, who gained notoriety for her role in a brutal attack on a classmate, be returned to a state psychiatric hospital following her escape from a group home. On November 22, 2023, the 23-year-old Geyser fled her residence after removing her GPS monitor, leading to a swift arrest the next day outside of Chicago.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge K. Scott Wagner granted the request from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to revoke Geyser’s release privileges during a brief hearing. Geyser, represented by attorney Tony Cotton, indicated that she would not contest the revocation.
The incident dates back to May 31, 2014, when Geyser and her then-friend Anissa Weier lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a park in Waukesha. In a shocking act, Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged the assault. A passing bicyclist discovered Leutner, who narrowly survived the attack. The two girls, along with Leutner, were all just 12 years old at the time.
Both Geyser and Weier claimed they were trying to impress the fictional character known as Slender Man, believing that doing so would make them his servants and protect their families from harm. Following the attack, Geyser was sentenced to 40 years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, while Weier received a 25-year sentence. Weier was granted conditional release in 2021, but Geyser’s release was approved only recently, in September 2023, despite warnings from health officials about her trustworthiness.
After her release, Geyser was placed in a group home in Madison. However, authorities reported that she cut off her GPS monitor and left the state with a 43-year-old companion. The pair were apprehended at a truck stop approximately 170 miles (274 kilometers) south of Madison. The companion later stated in an interview that they had developed a friendship through church and feared that the group home would restrict their interaction.
The Slender Man character originated on the internet in 2009, created by Eric Knudsen. Initially depicted as a mysterious figure in photo-edited images of children, Slender Man evolved into a well-known figure in popular culture, appearing in various formats including video games, online stories, and a 2018 film.
The case continues to draw attention, raising questions about mental health treatment and the complexities surrounding the rehabilitation of young offenders. As Geyser returns to a psychiatric facility, the legal and social implications of her actions remain a focal point for discussion in Wisconsin and beyond.
