Friend of Slender Man Attacker Explains Why They Fled Madison Together Before Arrest in Illinois, Police Say
MADISON, WISCONSIN — The 43-year-old man found traveling with Morgan Geyser, the woman involved in the 2014 Slender Man stabbing case, is sharing his version of why the pair left Wisconsin together before authorities detained them at an Illinois truck stop. The man, who says he goes by Charly, claims he accompanied Geyser because he believed leaving Madison was the best way to protect her.
Man Says Geyser Fled Group Home Over Fears She Would Lose Contact With Him
Geyser, now 23, has been under supervised treatment since being found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in connection with the infamous 2014 stabbing of her classmate in Waukesha. Authorities say she left her group home without permission over the weekend.
Charly, whose legal name is Chad Mecca, said he and Geyser met at a local church earlier this year and developed what he described as a deep friendship. According to him, Geyser feared the group home was planning to restrict his visits, prompting her decision to leave.
He said she contacted him, and they met in a church parking lot before fleeing town.
“It was still my choice at the end of the day. I followed what I thought was right,” he said.
“I stand by it.”
Charly insisted Geyser left because of anxiety over losing their contact:
“She ran because of me.”
The Pair Traveled by Bus and Ended Up in Illinois Before Arrest
According to investigators, Geyser and Mecca used public transportation to travel south, making it as far as Cook County, Illinois. Their journey came to an end at a Thornton’s truck stop in Posen, where police responded to a report of a man and woman “loitering” behind the building.
Officers approached the pair and questioned them. Geyser reportedly gave a false name at first but eventually revealed her identity. She is said to have told officers she did not want to say her real name because she had “done something really bad” and suggested they search her name online.
Police then took her into custody. Mecca was arrested for criminal trespassing and obstructing identification but was later released.
Background: Geyser’s Role in the 2014 Slender Man Case
Geyser has been widely known since age 12 for her role in the 2014 Slender Man stabbing, in which she and a friend lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, into the woods and stabbed her 19 times in an attempt to satisfy a fictional online character.
Leutner survived.
Geyser was placed under long-term mental health supervision after the court ruled she was suffering from significant mental illness at the time of the attack.
Her unauthorized departure this week marks one of the most serious incidents involving her supervision since she began treatment.
Authorities Reviewing How Geyser Was Able to Leave Supervised Care
Officials are investigating how Geyser was able to leave the facility and travel across state lines without being stopped earlier. Law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin and Illinois are coordinating to determine whether additional charges will be filed or whether her custodial status will change.
Charly maintains he acted out of concern, not harm:
“I thought leaving was the best way to keep her safe,” he said.
Authorities have not indicated whether they believe he played a larger role in the escape.
As Wisconsin officials evaluate Geyser’s supervision and next steps, more developments are expected in the coming days. For ongoing coverage of major Midwest crime updates, breaking investigations, and public safety news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.