Key Takeaways:
- Morgan Geyser, a 23-year-old Wisconsin woman, is missing after cutting off her electronic monitoring device and leaving a group home.
- Geyser was granted conditional release from a psychiatric institute in 2021 after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in 2018.
- She and her friend, Anissa Weier, stabbed their classmate, Payton Leutner, in 2014 to please the online horror character Slender Man.
- Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, is urging her to turn herself in and is unaware of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
- Authorities are warning the public to call 911 if they see Geyser, as she is considered a potential threat to herself and others.
Introduction to the Case
The disappearance of Morgan Geyser, a 23-year-old Wisconsin woman, has sparked a widespread search effort after she cut off her electronic monitoring device and left a group home. Geyser was granted conditional release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute earlier this year, where she had been residing since 2018. Her release was conditional, and she was required to wear an electronic monitoring device to track her movements. However, on Saturday, Geyser cut off the device and left her group home, prompting authorities to issue an alert and warn the public to call 911 if they see her.
The Slender Man Attack
Geyser’s troubled past began in 2014 when she and her friend, Anissa Weier, lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a suburban Milwaukee park after a sleepover. The two girls, who were 12 years old at the time, stabbed Leutner more than a dozen times, leaving her for dead. Miraculously, Leutner survived the attack, but the incident shocked the community and raised questions about the influence of online horror characters on young minds. Geyser and Weier later told investigators that they attacked Leutner to earn the right to be servants of Slender Man, a mysterious figure created online in 2009. They believed that if they didn’t follow through with the attack, Slender Man would harm their families.
The Aftermath and Investigation
Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in 2018 and was sent to the psychiatric institute as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid prison. Weier also pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide and was sent to the same institute. Both girls were diagnosed with mental health issues, and their cases raised concerns about the impact of online content on vulnerable individuals. Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, has urged her to turn herself in, stating that it is in her best interest to do so. Cotton also expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding Geyser’s disappearance, saying that he is unaware of the facts and who might have assisted her.
The Search for Geyser
The Madison police department has issued an alert for Geyser, warning the public to call 911 if they see her. The alert states that Geyser was last seen around 8 p.m. on Saturday with an adult acquaintance. Authorities are concerned about Geyser’s potential threat to herself and others, given her history of violent behavior. The search for Geyser is ongoing, and her attorney’s plea for her to turn herself in has been made public in an effort to encourage her to cooperate with authorities. As the search continues, the community remains on high alert, and the case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of online influences and the importance of addressing mental health issues.
The Legacy of Slender Man
The Slender Man character, created by Eric Knudson in 2009, has become a popular boogeyman figure, appearing in video games, online stories, and a 2018 movie. However, the character’s influence on Geyser and Weier’s actions has raised concerns about the impact of online content on young minds. The case has sparked a wider conversation about the need for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to be aware of the potential risks associated with online content and to provide support and guidance to vulnerable individuals. As the search for Geyser continues, the community is left to grapple with the consequences of her actions and the ongoing legacy of the Slender Man character.