What Happened in the Slender Man Murders
On May 31, 2014, two 12-year-old girls lured their friend into the woods in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and stabbed her 19 times. They told investigators they committed the attack to impress the fictional character Slender Man.
Victims and Perpetrators
The victim survived the attack and later recovered, though she sustained serious injuries. The two perpetrators were charged as adults with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. They were sentenced to long-term juvenile detention with the possibility of release in their early 20s.
Legal and Cultural Impact
The case sparked national debate about juvenile sentencing, mental health evaluations, and the influence of internet horror fiction. Courts ruled the girls were capable of understanding their actions, while defense teams argued severe mental illness played a role. The incident led to increased scrutiny of online content accessible to minors and prompted discussions about responsible media consumption. Read more about the case and its aftermath at BBC News coverage.
