Morgan Geyser, now 22 years old, has been released from the Winnebago Institute of Mental Health after nearly seven years in psychiatric care. This decision follows her conviction in 2018 for the attempted murder of her classmate, Peyton Leutner, when both were just 12 years old. Geyser was sentenced to 40 years in a psychiatric hospital for the brutal attack, during which Leutner was stabbed 19 times.
The release was authorized by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bolen, who recognized the severity of the crime but noted that Geyser had shown significant improvement in managing her mental health conditions. The judge stated that experts evaluated her progress positively, concluding that she no longer posed a danger to herself or others. Geyser’s release will be supervised, and she is expected to be placed in a group home within 60 days, with conditions determined by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Geyser’s journey to this point included several previous requests for release, all of which were denied due to concerns regarding her mental health stability. Notably, Geyser had experienced episodes of self-harm and had also discontinued her antipsychotic medication in 2022, leading to previous safety assessments. However, a recent evaluation indicated she had made dramatic improvements, and the resources at the psychiatric hospital were deemed insufficient for her continued care.
Geyser’s case has drawn significant media attention and public interest due to the nature of the crime and the young ages of those involved, including her co-defendant, Anissa Weier, who was released in 2021.