Morgan Geyser, one of the perpetrators in the infamous “Slender Man” stabbing case, escaped from a group home in Madison, Wisconsin, and was recaptured with a transgender accomplice, adding a new layer to the long-standing saga. The escape occurred after Geyser cut off her GPS monitor, fearing she would be barred from seeing her friend, Chad “Charly” Mecca, leading to a swift manhunt and arrest in Illinois.
Geyser, now 23, was living under the authority of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections when she fled the facility on Saturday night. Authorities immediately launched a nationwide search, highlighting the seriousness of her departure given her history. The escape drew significant media attention due to the notoriety of the original crime and the involvement of a transgender individual.
The pair were apprehended the following day at a truck stop in Posen, Illinois, near Chicago. Police body camera footage captured the arrest, showing Geyser and Mecca together. Geyser was not charged locally to avoid delaying her extradition back to Wisconsin, where she faces consequences for violating her conditions.
Mecca, 43, who Geyser refers to with female pronouns despite police using male pronouns, was cited for criminal trespassing and obstructing identification. In a phone interview from jail, Mecca stated that Geyser “ran because of me,” explaining that they believed the group home was going to separate them. Mecca expressed no regret, standing by their decision to escape together.
The original incident dates back to 2014, when Geyser and her friend Anissa Weier, both 12 at the time, stabbed their classmate Payton Leutner 19 times in a wooded area. Geyser confessed that the attack was inspired by the online horror character Slender Man, whom they believed would harm their families if they didn’t kill someone. Leutner survived after crawling to a road for help.
In 2017, Geyser and Weier pleaded guilty to attempted intentional homicide but were found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. They were committed to psychiatric institutions instead of prison, reflecting the court’s recognition of their severe mental health issues at the time of the crime. Weier was released in 2021 under strict supervision, including GPS monitoring.
The current escape raises questions about the effectiveness of mental health treatment and supervision for individuals with such backgrounds. An extradition hearing is scheduled in Cook County, and Geyser is expected to be returned to Wisconsin to face additional penalties. The case continues to spark debates on juvenile justice, mental health care, and now, the complexities of relationships in institutional settings.
This event underscores the enduring impact of the Slender Man phenomenon and the challenges in rehabilitating those involved in high-profile crimes. As the legal process unfolds, it remains a poignant reminder of the intersection between mental illness, crime, and social issues.
