UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Morgan Geyser, the convicted assailant in the notorious Slender Man stabbing case, was arrested Sunday night in Posen, Illinois, following a multi-state manhunt. Authorities confirm Geyser fled a Wisconsin group home after allegedly cutting off her Department of Corrections monitoring bracelet.
The 22-year-old was located at 9:54 p.m. at a Thornton’s Truck Stop, approximately 25 minutes south of Chicago. Geyser was found unharmed, accompanied by a 42-year-old man with whom she reportedly has a relationship. Both had taken a bus to Posen after Geyser’s escape, raising immediate concerns about her safety and the safety of others.
Last seen around 8 p.m. on Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin, Geyser’s disappearance prompted urgent alerts from local police. Posen police became aware of her absence early Sunday morning. Geyser’s mother, Angie Geyser, publicly appealed for her daughter’s return, stating, “Morgan, if you can see this, we love you and just want to know you are safe.”
Geyser’s arrest comes after a series of psychological evaluations led to her release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in March, where she was ordered to wear the monitoring device as part of her supervised release. This decision was contentious, with prosecutors raising alarms about her communication with unsupervised individuals and her interest in disturbing literature.
As authorities work to process Geyser’s case, she faces extradition to Cook County Jail for a hearing. The legal ramifications of her escape are still unfolding, with her attorney, Tony Cotton, urging her to turn herself in, emphasizing it is “in her best interest.”
This situation is compounded by the original crime that horrified a nation. In 2014, Geyser and her accomplice, Anissa Weier, lured their friend, Payton Leutner, into the woods, where Geyser stabbed her 19 times in an attempt to appease the fictional character “Slender Man.” Leutner survived the brutal attack, but it left lasting scars, both physically and emotionally.
The Leutner family has been notified of Geyser’s latest developments and expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action. “Payton and her family are safe and are working closely with local law enforcement to ensure their continued safety,” a spokesperson stated.
As this story develops, authorities continue to monitor Geyser’s situation closely. The implications of her escape and subsequent arrest raise critical questions about the efficacy of supervised release for individuals with such violent histories.
Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story that has captured national attention once again.
