A Wisconsin woman, Morgan Geyser, is on the verge of being released from a psychiatric hospital after spending nearly seven years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Geyser gained notoriety in 2014 when, at just 12 years old, she and her friend Anissa Weier lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a park and stabbed her 19 times in an attempt to prove their allegiance to the fictional horror character Slender Man. Leutner narrowly survived the horrendous attack.

On Thursday, Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren granted Geyser's petition for release after extensive testimony from three mental health professionals highlighted her remarkable progress in managing her mental health. The judge acknowledged the severity of the crime, labeling it a "brutal, terrible offense," but stated that Geyser must now reintegrate into society to achieve true rehabilitation.

While Geyser had previously made four petitions for release, she withdrew her first two requests. Her third petition, submitted earlier this year, was denied due to concerns about public safety. Following her most recent petition, Bohren ruled that Geyser has taken full advantage of the psychological treatment options available to her and is currently not a risk to the community. The judge instructed the state Department of Health Services to create a plan to place her in a supervised group home, which will be reviewed in a hearing within the next 60 days.

During the hearing, Dr. Brooke Lundbohm stated that Geyser had successfully transitioned off anti-psychotic medications and had not exhibited any symptoms since early 2023. Furthermore, Dr. Deborah Collins indicated that while Geyser would always carry a risk of reoffending, she has developed improved coping strategies and greater emotional regulation. Collins noted, "She hates what she did" and is unable to forgive herself.

Dr. Ken Robbins emphasized the importance of Geyser's reintegration into society, warning that continued confinement could hinder her rehabilitation efforts. Meanwhile, Waukesha County Assistant District Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz expressed skepticism regarding Geyser’s trustworthiness, citing past claims that she fabricated her delusions about Slender Man, suggesting alternative motivations for the attack.

Judge Bohren, however, dismissed these concerns, recognizing the evolving nature of mental health diagnoses. As Geyser prepares for her release, mental health advocates continue to monitor her case and its implications for justice and rehabilitation within the mental health system.

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