UPDATE:
Morgan Geyser, one of the attackers who lured a classmate to please the fictional character “Slender Man,” more than a decade ago, was placed back in custody late Sunday after escaping from a Wisconsin group home, authorities said.
Police in Madison, Wisconsin, where Geyser had been living at a group home, said she was taken into custody in Illinois. She was found at a truck stop in Posen, Illinois, the Posen Police Department confirmed early Monday. Posen is about 25 miles south of Chicago. The community is about 170 miles south of Madison.
EARLIER:
One of the attackers who lured a friend into a forested area of Waukesha, Wisconsin and repeatedly stabbed her to please the fictional character “Slender Man” has fled a group home, police say.
According to Madison police, Morgan Geyser cut off her monitoring bracelet and left the group home Saturday night.
She was last seen in the area around Kroncke Drive at approximately 8 p.m., and Madison police were notified of the disappearance on Sunday morning.
Geyser is one of two individuals who lured then-12-year-old Payton Leutner to a wooded area near Waukesha in 2014. While there, Leutner was stabbed at least 19 times, with her friends attempting to please the fictional character known as “Slender Man,” a character notorious for stalking and terrorizing children.
According to prosecutors, the girls plotted the stabbing for months, and they told investigators they believed Slender Man had a mansion in a forest, and they planned to live with him after the attack.
Leutner was left for dead, but was discovered by a passing bicyclist and was taken to a hospital.
Geyser was found not guilty by mental disease or defect and was committed to a mental health institution. Geyser was released this year to live in a group home.
Anthony Cotton, Geyser’s attorney, posted a video on social media, urging Geyser to turn herself in.
“”If anybody has contact with Morgan, hears from her, or if Morgan happens to see this — turn yourself in,” he stated in the video. “Do not continue to remain on the run like this. It is not in your best interest to handle this matter that way.”
The family of Geyser’s victim, Leutner, released the following statement Sunday night:
“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 said. “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.”
Geyser was last seen with an adult acquaintance, authorities said. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call 911.
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