Morgan Geyser, the 22-year-old involved in the 2014 “Slender Man” stabbing case, was reported missing from a Madison, Wisconsin group home after authorities say she removed a Department of Corrections electronic monitoring bracelet. Police were notified on Sunday morning and say Geyser was last seen in Madison around 8 p.m. the previous evening with an adult acquaintance. Geyser had been moved from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute to supervised community placement in March after a judge and mental health experts approved release under conditions that included electronic monitoring. Local law enforcement asked the public to report any sightings immediately to 911 while her attorney urged her to surrender.
Key Takeaways
- Morgan Geyser, 22, was reported missing from a Madison group home on Sunday morning after allegedly cutting off a DOC monitoring bracelet; she was last seen around 8 p.m. Saturday.
- Geyser was transferred from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute to a group home in March following a Waukesha County judge’s supervised-release order and testimony from three psychologists.
- In 2014, Geyser and Anissa Weier stabbed classmate Payton Leutner 19 times when all three were 12; Leutner survived and has since worked on recovery.
- Geyser pleaded guilty in 2018 to first-degree attempted intentional homicide but was later found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and committed to psychiatric care for up to 40 years.
- Anissa Weier was sentenced to up to 25 years in psychiatric custody and was granted supervised release in 2021 at age 19.
- The Leutner family confirmed they are aware of the situation, say they feel safe, and thanked law enforcement and supporters.
- Authorities released a recent surveillance image of Geyser and asked the public to contact 911 with any information.
Background
The 2014 attack in Waukesha County drew international attention when two 12-year-olds lured their friend into the woods and stabbed her 19 times; Payton Leutner survived despite life-threatening injuries. Initially prosecuted as adults, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier entered guilty pleas, which were later vacated when courts found both not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. That legal finding shifted cases from traditional criminal sentencing to psychiatric commitment, reflecting the court’s view about the role of severe mental illness in the crime.
Geyser was admitted to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute and remained under institutional care for several years; in 2018 she pleaded guilty and subsequently was found not criminally responsible and ordered to psychiatric custody for up to 40 years. Weier received a separate commitment of up to 25 years and was placed on supervised release in 2021. The handling of both cases has repeatedly raised questions about public safety, patient rights, and the threshold for returning individuals to community settings under supervision.
Main Event
Police say Geyser removed her Department of Corrections electronic monitoring bracelet and left the group home sometime Saturday night; Madison police received the missing-person report on Sunday morning. Law enforcement posted a recent surveillance image and stated she was last seen in Madison at about 8 p.m. on Saturday with an adult acquaintance. Authorities described the matter as an active missing-person investigation and asked the public to call 911 immediately if they spot her.
Officials have not publicly described evidence of a security breach at the group home beyond the allegation that Geyser cut off the bracelet. Her transfer to the group home followed a court-ordered supervised release plan that required monitoring and other conditions intended to manage risks while in a less-restrictive setting. Prosecutors had previously expressed concern about Geyser’s contacts outside the institute and cited alleged troubling communications and reading material while she was institutionalized.
Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, issued a statement urging her to turn herself in, calling it “in her best interest.” The Leutner family released a statement saying Payton and her family are aware of the situation, feel safe, and are coordinating with local law enforcement. Police continue to seek public assistance and are treating the case as time-sensitive.
Analysis & Implications
The incident highlights the tension between psychiatric rehabilitation and public-safety concerns when individuals found not criminally responsible are transitioned back into community settings. Court-ordered supervised release is designed to balance both goals, but the alleged removal of a monitoring device raises questions about monitoring adequacy and group-home safeguards. For community providers, the case may prompt reviews of electronic monitoring policies, staff training, and protocols for residents with histories of serious violence.
From a legal perspective, the case underscores how findings of not-guilty-by-reason-of-mental-disease shift oversight from the penal system to civil and health authorities, who must manage long-term risk without traditional criminal sentencing tools. That can complicate accountability when an individual fails to comply with conditions such as electronic monitoring; civil commitment statutes include different mechanisms for recall or return to custody than criminal probation or parole.
Politically and publicly, high-profile incidents like this tend to intensify scrutiny of judges, mental health agencies, and corrections departments responsible for release decisions. Lawmakers and regulators may respond with calls for stricter discharge criteria, expanded oversight of community placements, or enhanced information-sharing between agencies. Any policy reaction will need to weigh civil liberties, patients’ treatment needs, and community protection obligations.
Comparison & Data
| Individual | Age at Attack (2014) | Legal Outcome | Maximum Psychiatric Term | Supervised Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Geyser | 12 | Pleaded guilty (2018); later found NGRI | Up to 40 years | Released to group home (March) |
| Anissa Weier | 12 | Pleaded guilty to lesser charge; found NGRI | Up to 25 years | Granted supervised release (2021) |
The table summarizes the legal outcomes and custody terms for Geyser and Weier. Geyser’s longer maximum psychiatric term reflects the original first-degree attempted intentional homicide plea, while Weier received a lesser charge and shorter term. Weier’s supervised release in 2021 has remained in place without publicized breaches; Geyser’s transfer in March to a group home followed a court-ordered plan developed with input from mental health experts.
Reactions & Quotes
We urge Morgan Geyser to turn herself in for her own safety and to allow authorities to resolve this as quickly as possible.
Tony Cotton, Attorney for Morgan Geyser
Context: Geyser’s attorney publicly appealed for cooperation, framing surrender as the safest option for his client and the community while urging a calm response from the public.
Payton and her family are aware of the most recent situation, are safe, and are working closely with local law enforcement.
Spokesperson, Leutner family
Context: The Leutner family’s statement balanced acknowledgment of the news with reassurance about their immediate safety and gratitude toward law enforcement and supporters.
We are asking anyone who sees Morgan to contact 911 immediately; she was last seen in Madison around 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Madison Police Department (public statement)
Context: Police released a recent surveillance image and emphasized the time-sensitive nature of the search, urging members of the public to report sightings to emergency services.
Unconfirmed
- It is unconfirmed whether Geyser left the group home voluntarily or was aided by another person; police have not publicly reported evidence of accomplices.
- There is no publicly verified information that identifies where Geyser went after removing the monitoring device; sightings beyond the Madison area are not confirmed.
- Reports that Geyser had specific plans or intentions after leaving the home remain unverified by law enforcement at this time.
Bottom Line
The immediate issue is locating Morgan Geyser and ensuring both public safety and her welfare. The alleged removal of an electronic monitor and abrupt departure from supervised housing expose vulnerabilities in community-placement arrangements for individuals previously committed for serious violence. Authorities have mobilized search efforts and solicited public assistance; the next 24–72 hours will be critical to determine whether she is found quickly or additional containment measures are needed.
Looking ahead, the case is likely to prompt scrutiny of discharge procedures, monitoring technology, and interagency coordination for people transitioning from psychiatric institutions to community settings. Any policy conversations should be evidence-based and balance patient rehabilitation with safeguards that protect communities and victims’ families.
Sources
- ABC News (national news)