In 2014, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier lured classmate Payton Leutner into a park in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and stabbed her nearly to death. At the time, all three girls were 12 years old and inspired by the fictional character “Slender Man.” The court sentenced Geyser to 40 years in a mental hospital. A judge granted her release from Winnebago Mental Health Institute in July 2025. Just a few months later, she allegedly removed her ankle monitor and escaped from the group home where she lives.
The Madison Police Department shared a recent image of Geyser, now 22, on Facebook. She allegedly took off from the group home around 8 p.m. on November 22, 2025. Per NBC News, the woman’s ankle monitor notified the Department of Corrections about a malfunction around 9:30 p.m. Two hours later, the Department of Corrections reached out to the group home, which reportedly notified them that Geyser had removed the monitor.
Someone officially reported Geyser missing around 7:45 a.m. the following day. The Madison Police Department claimed it knew nothing about the woman’s disappearance until the 911 call, NBC News reported.
Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, urged his client to return to the group home via a video statement on Instagram.
“Obviously, it’s in her best interest to turn herself in immediately and not continue with this course of action,” he said in the video. “If anybody has contact with Morgan, hears from her, or if Morgan happens to see this, turn yourself in. Do not continue to remain on the run like this.”
NBC News reported that Leutner’s family shared a statement about Geyser’s disappearance.
“Payton and her family are safe and are working closely with local law enforcement to ensure their continued safety. The family would like to thank all of the law enforcement entities involved in the efforts to apprehend Morgan,” the statement read. “The Leutner family also wish to thank the outpouring of support from family, friends, and well-wishers who have contacted them during this difficult time.”
ABC 7 has reported that police apprehended Geyser in Posen, Illinois, just before 10 p.m. November 23. She and a 42-year-old man reportedly took a bus together to Posen. Geyser is facing charges of criminal trespass and obstruction of identification and awaits extradition at Cook County Jail.
She didn’t appear to do any harm to anyone during her time away from the group home. Perhaps she needs more significant mental health care than what the judge initially thought.
