David Muir Interrupts Broadcast With Harrowing Update on Slender Man Case as New Bodycam Footage Emerges

ABC World News Tonight viewers were left stunned on Monday evening when anchor David Muir, returning to the program after several days off, halted the regularly scheduled broadcast to deliver an urgent and unsettling update related to one of the most disturbing attempted-murder cases in recent American history: the Slender Man stabbing.

The 52-year-old journalist cut into the program with a somber tone, signaling immediately that the update concerned a matter of public safety and national attention. “The chilling case that made national headlines, the Slender Man case. Overnight, we learned a young woman who, years ago, stabbed a classmate 19 times in the woods, was on the run after cutting off her ankle bracelet,” Muir announced, setting off a wave of viewer reactions online.

He went on to explain that newly released body-camera footage captured the dramatic moment of the suspect’s arrest following her escape from a Wisconsin group home where she had been housed under court-ordered supervision. “Late today, new body camera video just released showing her arrest. Here’s ABC’s Alex Perez, tonight,” Muir added before passing the report to his colleague.

Reporter Alex Perez Details the Arrest

Correspondent Alex Perez, reporting live from Wisconsin, then delivered a comprehensive breakdown of the arrest and the events leading up to it. Perez began by recounting the case that gripped the nation more than a decade ago—when 12-year-old Morgan Geyser, alongside friend Anissa Weier, lured classmate Payton Leutner into the woods and stabbed her 19 times in what the attackers claimed was an attempt to appease the fictional horror character “Slender Man.”

“New body camera video showing the moment Morgan Geyser, convicted of brutally stabbing her classmate 19 times as she tried to crawl away in the woods in the infamous Slender Man case, was arrested after escaping from a group home in Wisconsin,” Perez said, summarizing the newly obtained footage.

According to Perez, officers encountered Geyser shortly after her disappearance was reported, following her decision to remove her court-mandated GPS ankle monitor. Law enforcement sources indicated that she was located not far from the facility where she had been residing.

Perez continued, “She seemed very nervous. She simply told the officer, ‘Here’s my real name. You can Google me, and you’ll find out why.’” The brief yet chilling remark, captured on police bodycam, underscored the notoriety of the case and the lingering national memory surrounding it.

A Case That Continues to Haunt the Public

The Slender Man case remains one of the most alarming juvenile criminal incidents in recent United States history. The near-fatal attack in 2014 left victim Payton Leutner, then 12, fighting for her life after sustaining 19 stab wounds—two of which narrowly missed major arteries in her heart. Leutner managed to crawl out of the woods and was rescued by a bicyclist, ultimately surviving after emergency surgery.

Geyser, believed at the time to be suffering from undiagnosed mental health conditions, was eventually sentenced to mental health treatment rather than adult prison time. Her co-defendant, Weier, received a similar diagnosis and sentence. Both cases sparked nationwide discussions about juvenile responsibility, mental health support, the impact of online mythology on young minds, and the complexities of sentencing minors for violent crimes.

Geyser’s escape from her supervised living facility represents a significant breach of the conditions set for her long-term care and monitoring. Authorities have not publicly released details regarding how long she was off the premises or how she managed to remove her tracking device.

Viewers React With Shock and Concern

Immediately following the broadcast, viewers took to social media platforms to express their alarm. Many reacted strongly to Muir’s interruption of the evening news, calling the update “unsettling,” “frightening,” and in some cases “deeply disturbing.” The phrases “this is messed up” and “I can’t believe she escaped” were echoed across posts as the footage circulated.

Some viewers expressed sympathy for law enforcement and the victim’s family, noting the emotional impact the case still carries. Others voiced concerns regarding supervision protocols at the group home and questioned how such an escape was possible.

ABC’s Continuing Coverage

ABC News has indicated that further updates will be provided as the story develops, particularly regarding the circumstances of Geyser’s escape, her current legal status, and any revisions to security measures for high-risk individuals in supervised care environments.

At press time, officials confirmed that Geyser had been safely taken back into custody, and no injuries were reported during the arrest. Investigators are reviewing the timeline of her disappearance, and legal authorities are expected to determine whether additional charges will be filed in relation to her escape.

As more information becomes available, the case continues to evoke strong emotions and public scrutiny—just as it did when it first made national headlines nearly a decade ago.