Morgan Geyser, the individual known for the ‘Slender Man’ knife attack, was apprehended after reportedly removing her electronic monitoring device and disappearing from her residential facility. She was found late Sunday night at a truck stop in Posen, Illinois, following a 24-hour search that crossed state borders and caused concern for the family of her surviving victim. Geyser and another person were taken into custody by authorities after arriving in the area by bus, approximately 25 minutes south of Chicago.
Law enforcement located Geyser at the truck stop in Posen after she was last seen in Madison with an adult companion. Surveillance footage released by the police showed her inside a public building, leading to numerous tips as the search intensified.
Authorities in Posen disclosed that Geyser and the other individual were discovered at the truck stop without resistance. They were arrested as investigators worked to determine how she managed to remove her Department of Corrections tag and leave the residence where she had been living.
The disappearance was reported on Sunday morning, prompting a swift response from local and state law enforcement agencies. Geyser’s mother, Angie, made a plea for her daughter’s safe return before she was located. Her attorney, Tony Cotton, also urged Geyser to surrender, emphasizing that it was in her best interest to do so.
Geyser had been placed in supervised care in March after a court ruling deemed her suitable for community placement. She was required to wear an electronic bracelet as a condition of her release, which she allegedly cut off before going missing.
In 2014, Geyser and her childhood friend Anissa Weier lured their classmate Payton Leutner into the woods and Geyser repeatedly stabbed her while Weier watched. The incident was linked to their belief in the fictional character “Slender Man.” Leutner survived the attack despite sustaining 19 stab wounds, garnering international attention and sparking discussions on online folklore and children’s mental health.
Initially charged as adults, Geyser and Weier later pleaded guilty but were found not guilty by reason of mental illness. They were committed to psychiatric care, with Geyser receiving a sentence of up to 40 years. Weier was granted supervised release in 2021.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of Geyser’s escape, including her route and any potential additional charges related to removing the monitoring device. It remains unclear whether she will remain in custody in Illinois or be returned to Wisconsin.
