UPDATE: Morgan Geyser, the convicted assailant in the infamous Slender Man stabbing case, was arrested last night in Posen, Illinois after fleeing a Wisconsin group home. The multi-state manhunt ended around 9:54 p.m. at a Thornton’s Truck stop, where Geyser was found unharmed and in the company of a 42-year-old man.
Geyser, who gained notoriety in 2014 for stabbing her friend, Payton Leutner, 19 times to appease the fictional character “Slender Man,” reportedly cut off her monitoring bracelet and left the group home on Saturday evening. Authorities were alerted to her disappearance earlier on Sunday morning.
The Posen Police Department confirmed that Geyser and the unidentified man traveled to Posen by bus. The man has since been charged with criminal trespassing and obstructing identification but has been released from custody. Geyser will be held until her transfer to Cook County Jail for an extradition hearing.
Before her flight, Geyser was last seen in Madison, Wisconsin, around 8 p.m. on Saturday, accompanied by an adult acquaintance. A recent surveillance image was shared on social media by the police as part of their efforts to locate her.
Geyser’s mother, Angie Geyser, issued an emotional plea earlier on Sunday, stating, “If you see Morgan, please call the police. Morgan, if you can see this, we love you and just want to know you are safe.”
In March, a court ordered her release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute to a group home, following testimony from three psychologists who deemed her ready for supervised release. This decision raised concerns as Geyser had exhibited troubling communication behaviors with someone outside the facility.
The incident has reignited discussions about the safety of victims and the implications of Geyser’s release. A spokesperson for Leutner’s family confirmed they are aware of the situation, stating, “Payton and her family are safe and are working closely with local law enforcement to ensure their continued safety.”
Geyser and her accomplice, Anissa Weier, were charged as adults in the stabbing of Leutner when they were just 12 years old. Both were later found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and have been in psychiatric institutions since. While Weier was granted supervised release in 2021, Geyser’s recent actions have raised alarms.
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and ensure public safety. As investigations proceed, Geyser’s case remains a significant concern, highlighting the complexities of mental health and public safety in criminal justice.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as law enforcement navigates the next steps in this high-profile case.
