What started as a typical sleepover in Wisconsin in 2014 turned into one of the most chilling true crime stories in America.Twelve-year-olds Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier lured their friend, Payton "Bella" Leutner, into the woods with a plan to kill her as a sacrifice to Slender Man, the creepy internet figure.Both girls were charged as adults in a case that stunned the world.Now, with Morgan’s 2025 release from psychiatric care, the case is back in the spotlight, except this time we’re having conversations the media steered clear of at the beginning.Why did this happen? How did this happen? And what was going on mentally and psychologically for those two little girls? You can read Kathleen's book Slenderman: A Tragic Story of Online Obsession and Mental Illness here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guests: Kathleen Hale Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.   If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.