In May 2014, a 12-year-old girl named Payton Leutner was brutally attacked by two of her friends in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She was stabbed 19 times and left for dead in the woods, all because her attackers believed they were serving a fictional internet character called the Slender Man.
Miraculously, Payton survived. She crawled to a path where a cyclist found her, and she was rushed to the hospital . This article tells her story: the attack, her recovery, and how she turned unimaginable trauma into a purpose-driven life.
Quick Bio Table
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Payton Isabella “Bella” Leutner |
| Known For | Survivor of the 2014 Slender Man stabbing |
| Profession | Therapy Intern, Mental Health Advocate |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | There is no publicly verified information available |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 2002 |
| Age | 24 (as of 2026) |
| Ethnicity | There is no publicly verified information available |
| Height | There is no publicly verified information available |
| Marital Status | There is no publicly verified information available |
| Children | There is no publicly verified information available |
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Parkside (2023); Mount Mary University (2026) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Who Is Payton Leutner?
Payton Leutner is the survivor of one of the most shocking crimes of the 2010s. On May 31, 2014, she was stabbed 19 times by her friends, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, who were obsessed with the fictional character Slender Man . The attack was meant to be a sacrifice to the internet myth.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Payton survived. She has since dedicated her life to helping others heal. She graduated with a degree in psychology and is now working as a therapy intern, focusing on helping people with trauma .
The Attack: What Happened on May 31, 2014
The three girls were friends from school. On May 30, 2014, they had a sleepover at Geyser’s house to celebrate her 12th birthday . The next morning, Geyser and Weier convinced Payton to play hide-and-seek in a nearby park.
Lured into the Woods
They led Payton into the woods and attacked her with a kitchen knife. Geyser was the primary attacker, stabbing her 19 times, while Weier watched . They left her for dead, telling her they would get help but never returning.
A Miraculous Survival
Payton managed to crawl to a nearby path. A cyclist found her and called 911 . The 911 call captured her pleading: “Please help me. I’ve been stabbed” .
The Motive: The Slender Man
When police arrested Geyser and Weier, they confessed to the crime. They claimed they were “proxies” for the Slender Man, a fictional horror character they believed was real . They said they had to kill Payton to please him.
The Injuries and Recovery
Payton suffered stab wounds on her arms, legs, torso, and diaphragm. One stab wound hit her liver and stomach. Another missed her heart and artery by “the width of a human hair,” according to Dr. John Kelemen, who operated on her .
She spent six hours in emergency surgery and was hospitalized for 10 days. Her recovery continued for months after she left the hospital. She also needed counseling to deal with the emotional trauma .
Sleeping with Scissors
After the attack, Payton was understandably scared. She slept with her mother at night and kept a pair of broken scissors under her pillow “just in case” .
What Happened to Her Attackers?
Morgan Geyser
Morgan Geyser pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted homicide. She was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and was sentenced to 40 years in a psychiatric hospital . In July 2025, she was released to a group home under strict monitoring conditions .
In November 2025, Geyser cut off her ankle monitor and went missing for about 24 hours before being found in Illinois and taken back into custody .
Anissa Weier
Anissa Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree homicide. She was also found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in a psychiatric facility . She was granted conditional release in September 2021 .
Payton Leutner’s Life Now
Payton has chosen a path of purpose. She returned to school and graduated from high school. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology . As of 2026, she is continuing her education at Mount Mary University and working as a therapy intern .
Why She Thanked Her Attacker
In a 2019 interview with 20/20, Payton said she would “initially thank” Morgan Geyser . Her reasoning was powerful: “Just because of what she did, I have the life I have now. I really, really like it and I have a plan. I didn’t have a plan when I was 12, and now I do because of everything that I went through” .
She added: “I wouldn’t think that someone who went through what I did would ever say that. But that’s truly how I feel. Without the whole situation, I wouldn’t be who I am” .
Her Career in Therapy
Payton is working as an intern at Therayology, where she helps people with trauma, depression, and LGBTQ+ concerns . Her approach is client-centered and narrative-based. She understands pain on a deep level because she has lived it.
Key Takeaways
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Payton Leutner was stabbed 19 times by her friends in 2014. The attack was motivated by an obsession with the fictional Slender Man .
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She survived despite life-threatening injuries that narrowly missed her heart .
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Her attackers, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, were committed to psychiatric facilities .
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Geyser was released to a group home in 2025 but went missing briefly in November 2025 .
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Payton has earned a degree in psychology and is now a therapy intern, helping others heal from trauma .
FAQ Section
Who is Payton Leutner?
Payton Leutner is the survivor of the 2014 Slender Man stabbing. She was attacked by two friends who believed they were serving a fictional horror character .
How old is Payton Leutner?
Payton Leutner was born on February 13, 2002, making her 24 years old as of 2026 .
What is Payton Leutner doing now?
Payton Leutner is a therapy intern. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is helping people cope with trauma and mental health struggles .
Did Payton Leutner survive the Slender Man stabbing?
Yes, Payton Leutner survived being stabbed 19 times. She was left for dead in the woods but crawled to a path where a cyclist found her .
Why did Payton Leutner thank her attacker?
In a 2019 interview, Payton said she would thank her attacker because the trauma gave her perspective and purpose in life. She said the experience helped her find a direction she wouldn’t have had otherwise .
Where is Morgan Geyser now?
Morgan Geyser was released from a psychiatric facility to a group home in July 2025. In November 2025, she cut off her ankle monitor and went missing for about 24 hours before being recaptured in Illinois .
Final Thoughts
Payton Leutner’s story is one of unimaginable pain and remarkable resilience. She endured a brutal attack, months of recovery, and years of emotional healing. Yet she chose to rise above it, turning her trauma into a career dedicated to helping others heal.
Her forgiveness and gratitude toward her attackers is extraordinary. She has found a purpose in the wreckage of her past and is now using her experience to make the world a better place. Payton Leutner is not just a survivor. She is a source of inspiration.
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