More than ten years after one of Wisconsin’s most shocking crimes, Morgan Geyser now remains under state supervision as she continues psychiatric treatment. Her case — forever linked to the “Slender Man” stabbing — still captures public attention because of its mix of tragedy, mental illness, and the mystery of what happens after justice is served.
In 2025, Morgan lives a quiet and heavily monitored life inside a state mental health facility. Her future is uncertain, her progress steady but cautious, and her name continues to resurface whenever the case is mentioned in the media.
How the Case Began
In May 2014, the small city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, became the focus of national news. At the time, Morgan Geyser and her best friend Anissa Weier, both 12 years old, invited their friend Payton Leutner to a sleepover. The next day, they led her into a nearby forest under the pretense of exploring — but their real plan was far darker.
There, Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged her. The girls believed they had to kill to prove loyalty to “Slender Man,” a fictional internet horror figure created on an online forum.
Leutner miraculously survived the attack after crawling from the woods to a road, where she was found by a passing cyclist. Her survival became one of the most powerful parts of the story, showing immense strength and courage after a nearly fatal betrayal.
The Legal Journey
The case moved quickly through Wisconsin’s courts. Both girls were charged as adults due to the severity of the crime, even though they were only 12.
Psychological evaluations later revealed that Geyser was suffering from early-onset schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that can cause hallucinations and delusions.
In 2018, she was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and sentenced to up to 40 years in a state mental health institution. That decision meant she would receive treatment instead of prison time.
Her friend, Anissa Weier, was also found not guilty on similar grounds but given a 25-year commitment.
Life Inside the Institution
Today, Morgan Geyser lives at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It’s a secure hospital for people who are both mentally ill and connected to criminal cases.
Inside, Geyser receives continuous care and supervision. Her life is structured around therapy, medication, and gradual rehabilitation.
Her Routine Includes:
- Medication management to treat symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Therapy sessions focused on understanding her illness and past behavior.
- Behavioral programs designed to build empathy and self-control.
- Group activities that teach social and emotional awareness.
- Regular evaluations by doctors who report progress to the court.
These evaluations happen about every six months and help determine whether Geyser could one day live safely outside the facility.
Her Current Status in 2025
As of November 2025, Morgan remains under state supervision at Winnebago Mental Health Institute. She continues to take medication and attend treatment sessions.
Her most recent legal development came in September 2024, when she withdrew her petition for conditional release. She had originally requested a hearing to consider supervised freedom but changed her mind after consulting with doctors.
Medical experts believed she still needed more time in a controlled environment before taking that step. Geyser later told the court she did not yet feel ready to return to life outside the facility.
No new petitions have been filed since that withdrawal. Her next formal court review is expected in early 2026, when her doctors will once again assess her progress.
Treatment Progress and Challenges
Over the years, reports from the facility describe Geyser as cooperative and responsive to therapy. She takes her medication regularly and participates in counseling. Her doctors have said that she has shown awareness of her illness and an understanding of her past actions.
Still, her condition — schizophrenia — is lifelong and requires constant management. Stability must be maintained over time before any release can be considered safe.
Key milestones that must be met before release include:
- Consistent control of symptoms with medication.
- Continued participation in therapy and support programs.
- Demonstrated responsibility for daily activities.
- Medical confirmation that she poses no danger to herself or others.
For now, professionals agree that continued care in a secure facility is the best path forward.
The Case of Anissa Weier
While Geyser remains committed, her friend Anissa Weier has taken a different path. In 2021, Weier was granted conditional release after four years in treatment.
She now lives in the community under strict supervision. Her conditions include:
- GPS tracking.
- Regular therapy sessions.
- Frequent check-ins with a probation officer.
- A curfew and restrictions on internet use.
Weier’s release was approved after medical experts confirmed she no longer suffered from active symptoms and could safely live under supervision.
Geyser’s case, however, involves a more severe and ongoing illness, which has delayed any similar consideration for release.
Public Reaction and Debate
Even after ten years, the case still divides public opinion. Some people believe Geyser deserves compassion and a second chance, arguing she was a child with a serious mental illness when the crime happened.
Others feel she should remain confined, given the violent nature of the attack and the trauma experienced by the victim.
Payton Leutner, now an adult, has chosen privacy. She has spoken only occasionally in interviews, describing her recovery and desire to move forward. Her courage continues to be recognized as a symbol of survival.
For many, the case serves as a reminder of how complicated justice can be when mental illness plays such a major role.
The Broader Lessons of the Case
The Waukesha case sparked national conversations about mental health and the internet’s influence on children. It revealed how vulnerable young people can be to online content and delusional thinking when mental illness goes unnoticed.
Psychologists and educators now use the case as an example of why early mental health screening in schools is essential. It also pushed lawmakers to strengthen communication between courts and psychiatric facilities, ensuring continuous monitoring for individuals under long-term treatment.
The story also reshaped how the public views juvenile offenders with mental illnesses — shifting the discussion from punishment to treatment, while still keeping public safety at the center.
Ongoing Court Oversight
Under Wisconsin law, Geyser can request conditional release every six months. Each time, the court reviews medical reports, risk assessments, and expert testimony to decide whether she’s ready for life outside a secure setting.
If she were to be released in the future, her freedom would come with many conditions, including close supervision, continued medication, and frequent therapy appointments. Any violation or regression in her mental health would send her back to the facility immediately.
Her next review, expected in 2026, will determine whether her progress is enough to revisit the idea of conditional release.
Until then, Geyser remains in full confinement, continuing her treatment and rehabilitation.
Where Things Stand Today
At 23 years old, Geyser has now spent almost half her life in psychiatric care. Her daily life is quiet, routine, and closely monitored by doctors and staff.
Those who have followed her case say that her withdrawal of the 2024 release petition showed maturity and self-awareness — an acknowledgment that recovery is ongoing and that stability takes time.
While the public rarely hears updates about her directly, court records confirm that she continues to make progress within her treatment program.
The next few years will determine whether she remains under long-term institutional care or eventually transitions to supervised living, like her co-defendant.
A Case That Still Resonates
More than a decade later, the events in Waukesha still echo in conversations about crime, mental health, and accountability. The case remains one of the most studied examples of how severe mental illness can manifest in children and how the justice system must balance compassion with safety.
It also serves as a reminder of how the internet’s influence can reach vulnerable young minds — and how families, educators, and communities must remain aware and proactive.
Morgan Geyser’s life today is one of reflection, treatment, and continued supervision. Her journey shows that recovery is possible but slow, and that mental health remains a lifelong process. What are your thoughts on her progress and future? Share your perspective in the comments below.