Key Facts at a Glance
On May 31, 2014, two 12-year-old girls in Waukesha, Wisconsin, lured their classmate into the woods and stabbed her 19 times in an attempt to appease the fictional online character Slender Man. Morgan Geyser was one of the two perpetrators. Geyser pleaded guilty to intentional homicide, a Class A felony in Wisconsin, in 2015. The following table summarizes verified details of the case.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of incident | May 31, 2014 | Law enforcement and court records |
| Location | Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States | Local police and court documents |
| Victim | A then-12-year-old classmate (identity protected by court order) | Court filings and news reports |
| Perpetrators | Morgan Geyser and an unnamed 12-year-old female (anonymized by court order) | Legal proceedings |
| Geyser’s plea | Guilty plea to intentional homicide, a Class A felony | Wisconsin court records |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years | Court sentence documentation |
| Current status | Geyser remains detained as of mid-2020s; eligibility reviews occur periodically | Department of Corrections and court updates |
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
On the night of May 31, 2014, Morgan Geyser and another 12-year-old girl traveled with their then-classmate into a wooded area in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where they stabbed the victim 19 times. The motivation was to prove loyalty to the fictional creepypasta character Slender Man, whom the perpetrators had encountered online. Emergency services were alerted after the girls left the scene, and the victim survived her injuries. Both were taken into custody that night, and their identities were initially sealed by the juvenile court.
Legal Proceedings and Adjudication
In 2015, Morgan Geyser’s case transitioned to adult court, and she entered a guilty plea to a Class A felony count of intentional homicide. In contrast, the other girl was adjudicated in juvenile court and received a shorter sentence. Courts emphasized premeditation and the seriousness of the felony, leading to Geyser receiving a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Wisconsin’s legal framework for treating juveniles as adults in aggravated homicide cases was a central factor in the disposition.
Charges and Convictions at a Glance
- Adult prosecution: Geyser was tried as an adult based on judicial waiver.
- Plea: Guilty plea to intentional homicide without the use of a firearm enhancement.
- Sentence: Life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 25 years.
- Firearm: No firearm was used; knives were the weapons involved.
Background on Slender Man
Slender Man is a piece of internet folklore that originated on the Something Awful forums in 2009. Created as part of a Photoshop contest, the character is depicted as a tall, thin figure in a suit who stalks and abducts children. Unlike fictional characters with clear copyright holders, Slender Man is a community-driven mythos that spread through image macros, stories, and videos. Courts and experts have noted that the fictional narrative took on a dangerous reality for Geyser and her co-offender, illustrating how online mythology can influence real-world behavior.
Geyser’s Mental Health and Context
During the investigation and legal process, mental health was a significant factor. Evaluations indicated that Geyser had delusional thinking and a limited ability to understand the consequences of her actions in relation to the online story. Her mental health treatment continued through detention. Courts balanced public safety with treatment needs when determining appropriate custody and parole conditions. Comparing this case to similar incidents involving online influence highlights challenges in differentiating between fantasy and reality for some adolescents.
Status and Ongoing Review
As of the mid-2020s, Morgan Geyser remains incarcerated and has not been released. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections periodically reviews detention status for individuals sentenced as juveniles to life terms. These reviews assess risk, rehabilitation progress, and suitability for supervised release. No final release date has been set, and any future changes will be determined by the parole board following legal standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in the Slender Man stabbing case?
- Why was Morgan Geyser tried as an adult?
- What is Morgan Geyser’s current status?
- How did Slender Man influence the crime?
Two 12-year-old girls in Waukesha, Wisconsin, stabbed a classmate 19 times in a wooded area, motivated by an online story about Slender Man. One perpetrator, Morgan Geyser, was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Wisconsin law allowed the juvenile case to be waived to adult court due to the severity of the felony, leading to adult prosecution for intentional homicide.
As of the mid-2020s, Geyser remains detained and is periodically reviewed for parole eligibility.
The perpetrators believed they needed to prove loyalty to the fictional online character by carrying out a real-world attack, illustrating the dangerous real-world impact of online mythology for some vulnerable individuals.