Slender Man stabbing

The Slender Man stabbing was a 2014 attempted murder in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in which two 12-year-old girls attacked a classmate, Payton Leutner, to appease the fictional character Slender Man.

The Slender Man stabbing was a 2014 attempted murder in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in which two 12-year-old girls attacked a classmate, Payton Leutner, to appease the fictional character Slender Man. Leutner survived multiple stab wounds, and the case later drew major attention for its juvenile defendants, mental health findings, and legal proceedings.

Background

Slender Man is a fictional horror character that originated online in creepypasta. The attackers said they believed in the character and were motivated by a desire to please him.

The attack

On May 31, 2014, the two girls lured Leutner into a wooded park area in Waukesha and stabbed her repeatedly. Leutner was left for dead but survived her injuries.

Criminal proceedings

The case moved into adult court, where the defendants faced attempted homicide charges. The proceedings drew attention because of the defendants' age and the role of mental health evaluations.

Verdict and sentencing

Both defendants were found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in 2017. They were committed to psychiatric facilities, with later release under conditions after serving time in treatment.

Public response and legacy

The case became widely reported because it linked an internet horror figure to real-world violence. It later inspired documentaries and dramatizations and remained notable in discussions of juvenile crime and mental illness.