A Wisconsin woman, Morgan Geyser, has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after escaping from her group home last month. The decision was made by Waukesha County Circuit Judge K. Scott Wagner during a brief hearing on November 21, 2023. Geyser, who is now 23 years old, previously made headlines in 2014 for her role in a near-fatal attack on a classmate, motivated by the fictional horror character known as Slender Man.
Geyser was initially granted conditional release to a group home in Madison in September 2023. This followed years of treatment at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where she was committed along with her accomplice, Anissa Weier. The girls had lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a park, where Geyser stabbed her 19 times in an effort to impress Slender Man. Leutner survived the attack, thanks to the quick actions of a passing bicyclist.
The state Department of Health Services expressed concerns regarding Geyser’s trustworthiness before her release, warnings that were ultimately overlooked. Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, indicated that Geyser would not contest the revocation of her release privileges, leading to the judge’s ruling to return her to the psychiatric facility.
On November 22, 2023, Geyser cut off her GPS monitor and escaped the group home with a 43-year-old companion. Their whereabouts were uncovered the following day when police arrested them at a truck stop outside Chicago, approximately 170 miles (274 kilometers) south of Madison. Geyser’s companion reported to local news that they had developed a friendship at church and had been spending significant time together prior to the escape. The companion indicated that Geyser feared the group home would restrict their relationship.
The character of Slender Man, created by Eric Knudsen in 2009, originally gained traction online through manipulated images depicting him as a sinister figure lurking in everyday scenes. Since then, Slender Man has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, inspiring video games, online stories, and even a feature film released in 2018.
The decision to return Geyser to the psychiatric hospital underscores ongoing concerns about her rehabilitation and the potential dangers associated with her actions. The case continues to draw attention not only due to its violent history but also the implications for mental health care and public safety.
