Morgan Geyser, who was one of the two students involved in the 2014 Slender Man stabbing case, has been granted supervised release from a psychiatric hospital. Now 22, Geyser was 12 at the time of the attack, where she and a classmate stabbed Payton Leutner 19 times in an effort to “please” the fictional character Slender Man. Despite life-threatening injuries, Leutner survived the attack. Both Geyser and co-assailant Anissa Weier were charged as adults and found not guilty due to mental disease or defect.
Geyser was diagnosed with schizophrenia and sentenced to up to 40 years in a psychiatric institution. However, a judge recently ruled for her release under strict supervision after a psychologist testified that Geyser no longer poses a significant risk. She will remain at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute until a transition plan is finalized, after which she is expected to live in a group home while wearing an ankle monitor.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions, with Leutner’s mother expressing concerns for her daughter’s safety and the community. She had previously advocated for Geyser to remain institutionalized, citing past requests for release that were withdrawn or denied.
This case continues to highlight the complexities of mental health and criminal justice, as Geyser’s release raises questions about rehabilitation and public safety. Meanwhile, survivors and their families grapple with the emotional toll of such a high-profile crime.
