Latest / Five-Minute Crime / Episode 11- The Slender Man Stabbing: When Fiction Turned Deadly
Transcript
- Ronan Wolfe: Welcome to Five-Minute Crime, the show where real stories of darkness and deception unfold in tightly packed episodes. I’m Ronan Wolfe, and today we’re going deep into the twisted tale of a deadly web spun by a single high school student. This is the story of the 2014 Slender Man stabbing—a case where fiction, mental illness, and digital influence collided with horrifying results. Ronan Wolfe: The story begins in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a quiet suburb that rarely made national headlines. On May 31, 2014, three 12-year-old girls went for a walk in the woods after a sleepover. But only two of them knew what was about to happen. Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier had planned to kill their friend, Payton Leutner, in what they believed was a sacrifice to a supernatural figure known only as Slender Man. Ronan Wolfe: If you’re not familiar, Slender Man is a fictional character born on an internet forum in 2009. Tall, faceless, dressed in black, and often lurking in forests, Slender Man became a viral urban legend. He was featured in online stories and image edits that claimed he haunted children and demanded sacrifices. For most, it was clearly fiction. But for Morgan and Anissa, it became terrifyingly real. Ronan Wolfe: The two girls had been obsessively reading Slender Man stories on creepypasta websites. They came to believe that he lived in a mansion in the woods and that if they didn’t kill someone for him, he would harm them and their families. The fixation escalated into a plan—a murder that would prove their loyalty and earn them a place in Slender Man’s world. Ronan Wolfe: On the day of the attack, the three girls went to a nearby park. There, Morgan Geyser stabbed Payton Leutner 19 times with a kitchen knife while Anissa urged her on. Thinking she was dead, they left Payton alone in the woods and began walking toward the forest where they believed Slender Man lived. But Payton wasn’t dead. Bleeding heavily, she crawled to a nearby bike path, where a passing cyclist found her and called for help. Ronan Wolfe: Miraculously, Payton survived. She underwent emergency surgery, and despite her critical injuries—including wounds that narrowly missed major arteries and organs—she recovered. Her resilience would later become a key part of this heartbreaking case. Ronan Wolfe: Morgan and Anissa were quickly apprehended. During police interviews, they showed little understanding of the gravity of what they’d done. Morgan, in particular, appeared detached, even pleased that she had followed through. Psychological evaluations soon revealed that Morgan Geyser was suffering from early-onset schizophrenia, a rare and severe condition in someone so young. She had experienced delusions, including visions of Slender Man, and heard voices guiding her actions. Ronan Wolfe: The legal process was complex and controversial. Because of the severity of the crime, both girls were charged as adults—a decision that sparked widespread debate. Their defense teams argued that mental illness and distorted perception played a massive role, particularly in Morgan’s case. In 2017, Anissa Weier was found guilty of attempted second-degree homicide and sentenced to 25 years in a mental health institution. Morgan Geyser accepted a plea deal and was committed for 40 years to a state psychiatric facility. Ronan Wolfe: The Slender Man stabbing became a chilling milestone in the discussion around internet culture, mental illness, and juvenile crime. It forced parents, teachers, and legal experts to reckon with the power of digital mythology—and the vulnerability of young, impressionable minds. What happens when fiction becomes belief? When storytelling turns deadly? Ronan Wolfe: Since then, Payton Leutner has largely stayed out of the public eye. In a rare interview years later, she described the pain, the betrayal, and the long journey to physical and emotional recovery. Her strength is undeniable. As for Morgan and Anissa, their fates remain tied to their mental health evaluations and periodic court reviews. Ronan Wolfe: This isn’t a story about monsters in the woods. It’s a story about the monsters in our minds—the fears, delusions, and cultural touchstones that can shape behavior in tragic ways. And it’s a sobering reminder that in the age of the internet, fiction can feel all too real. Ronan Wolfe: That’s the end of this episode of Five-Minute Crime. If this story made you think twice, consider sharing it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow, rate, and review to help us bring these stories to more curious minds. Got a case that’s been keeping you up at night? Send it my way. Until next time—stay curious, stay sharp, and watch your back.