Key Takeaways
- Morgan Geyser, a 23-year-old Wisconsin woman, has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after escaping from her group home last month.
- Geyser was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute for 40 years in 2014 for stabbing her classmate, Payton Leutner, 19 times in an attempt to impress the fictional horror villain Slender Man.
- Geyser’s conditional release was revoked after she cut off her GPS monitor and fled the state with a 43-year-old companion.
- The incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the mental health system and the potential dangers of releasing individuals with a history of violent behavior.
- Slender Man, the fictional horror villain, was created online in 2009 and has since become a popular boogeyman in online stories, video games, and a 2018 movie.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Morgan Geyser, a 23-year-old Wisconsin woman, has sparked widespread concern and debate after she was ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital following her escape from a group home last month. Geyser was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in 2014 for stabbing her classmate, Payton Leutner, 19 times in an attempt to impress the fictional horror villain Slender Man. The incident, which occurred when Geyser and her friend Anissa Weier were just 12 years old, shocked the community and raised questions about the influence of online folklore on young minds.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
In 2014, Geyser and Weier lured Leutner to a Waukesha park, where Geyser stabbed her 19 times while Weier cheered her on. A passing bicyclist discovered Leutner, who barely survived the attack. Both Geyser and Weier were eventually committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, with Geyser receiving a 40-year commitment and Weier receiving a 25-year commitment. The two girls claimed that they had attacked Leutner in hopes of impressing Slender Man, a fictional character they believed would make them his servants and protect their families from harm. The incident highlighted the dark and disturbing influence of online folklore on young minds and raised concerns about the potential dangers of releasing individuals with a history of violent behavior.
Conditional Release and Escape
In September, Geyser was granted conditional release from the mental health institute, despite warnings from state Department of Health Services officials that she could not be trusted. She was placed in a Madison group home, where she was required to wear a GPS monitor and follow a strict set of rules. However, on November 22, Geyser cut off her GPS monitor and fled the state with a 43-year-old companion. The two were arrested the next day at a truck stop outside Chicago, about 170 miles south of Madison. Geyser’s companion claimed that the two had become friends at church and had been seeing each other daily for the last month. Geyser allegedly decided to escape because she was afraid the group home would no longer allow them to see each other.
Revocation of Release Privileges
Following Geyser’s escape, Waukesha County Circuit Judge K. Scott Wagner granted a state Department of Health Services request to revoke her release privileges. Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, stated that she would not fight the revocation, and Wagner approved the request during a short hearing. The revocation of Geyser’s release privileges has raised questions about the effectiveness of the mental health system and the potential dangers of releasing individuals with a history of violent behavior. The incident has also sparked debate about the influence of online folklore on young minds and the need for greater awareness and education about the potential dangers of online content.
The Legend of Slender Man
Slender Man, the fictional horror villain, was created online in 2009 by Eric Knudsen as a mysterious figure photo-edited into everyday images of children at play. The character quickly gained popularity and evolved into a popular boogeyman, appearing in video games, online stories, and a 2018 movie. The character’s influence on young minds has been a subject of concern, with some experts arguing that it can inspire violent behavior and others claiming that it is simply a harmless form of online folklore. The case of Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier has highlighted the potential dangers of online content and the need for greater awareness and education about the potential risks associated with online folklore.
Conclusion
The case of Morgan Geyser has raised important questions about the effectiveness of the mental health system and the potential dangers of releasing individuals with a history of violent behavior. The incident has also highlighted the influence of online folklore on young minds and the need for greater awareness and education about the potential risks associated with online content. As the case continues to unfold, it is likely to spark further debate and discussion about the intersection of mental health, online content, and violent behavior. Ultimately, the case of Morgan Geyser serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing public safety and providing adequate support and resources for individuals with mental health needs.
