Slender Man Stabbing Suspect Morgan Geyser Captured After Fleeing Group Home: Victim Payton Leutner Safe

**By ClickUSA News Staff**  
November 24, 2025  

Morgan Geyser, now 23, was taken back into custody late Sunday night in Posen, Illinois, less than 36 hours after she cut off her court-ordered ankle monitor and fled a supervised group home in Madison, Wisconsin. The escape briefly revived nationwide anxiety tied to the infamous 2014 “Slender Man” stabbing case.

### The 2014 Crime That Shocked the Nation

On May 31, 2014, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, 12-year-old Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier lured their classmate Payton Leutner into the woods after a sleepover. Believing they had to kill to prove themselves worthy to the fictional internet character Slender Man and protect their families from him, Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged her. Leutner survived by crawling to a bike path where a cyclist found her. The two attackers were arrested hours later walking along Interstate 94, claiming they were headed to Slender Man’s mansion in the Nicolet National Forest.

Both girls were ultimately found not guilty by reason of mental illness. Geyser, diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia, was committed to Winnebago Mental Health Institute for a maximum of 40 years. Weier received a 25-year commitment.

### Road to Conditional Release and Sudden Escape

After years of treatment and multiple failed release petitions, a Waukesha County judge approved Geyser’s conditional release in January 2025. She was moved to a Madison-area group home this fall under strict conditions: GPS monitoring, therapy, medication, and regular court reviews until 2058.

On Saturday evening, November 22, Geyser was last seen with an unidentified adult acquaintance. Authorities say she severed her ankle monitor and left the facility. A statewide alert was issued Sunday morning. She was located and arrested without incident at a truck stop in Posen, Illinois, around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. No new charges have been announced yet, but her conditional release status is expected to be revoked.

### Where They Are Today

– Payton Leutner (now 23): Survived 19 stab wounds that damaged major organs and nearly took her life. She graduated high school, attended college, and plans a career in the medical field. In past interviews she has said the attack made her stronger and more determined. Her family confirmed she is safe and expressed gratitude for public support during the weekend scare. Leutner has spoken openly about ongoing trauma and still keeps scissors by her bed for protection.

– Anissa Weier (now 24): Released to supervised probation in 2021 and lives with her father under GPS monitoring, medication requirements, and counseling. She has kept an extremely low profile and has had no reported violations.

– Morgan Geyser (now 23): Back in custody as of Sunday night. She will almost certainly return to Winnebago Mental Health Institute for reevaluation and possible revocation of her conditional release.

The case remains a stark warning about mental illness in children, the power of internet horror myths, and the long, difficult road of rehabilitation versus public safety. More details are expected in the coming days as the court decides Geyser’s next steps.

ClickUSA News will continue to follow this story.