Slender Man Victim, 12: Pics Revealed For First Time Since Brutal Stabbing

The world got their first look at 12-year-old Slender Man stabbing victim Payton Leutner on ABC's '20/20.' In the interview, her parents revealed her desperate fight to survive after her two best friends allegedly stabbed her 19 times in a secluded forest area in May 2013.  We're finally getting a glimpse at Payton Leutner, the 12-year-old who suffered 19 stab wounds allegedly at the hands of her 12-year-old best friends, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, who were obsessed with the Slender Man myth. Her identity and first photos were revealed in the world exclusive interview with 20/20 on Sept. 26, and her parents spoke out about her harrowing survival story.

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September 27, 2014 11:29AM EDT
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In this Sept. 13, 2017 file photo, Anissa Weier, listens as former teachers testify during her trial in Waukesha County Court, in Waukesha, Wis. One of the two Wisconsin girls accused of stabbing a classmate, Payton Leuter, in 2014 to gain the favor of a horror character named Slender Man will soon learn how long she will spend in a mental health facility. Anissa Weier court case, Waukesha, USA - 13 Sep 2017 A judge in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, is expected to send 16-year-old Weier to a facility for at least three years after she was previously found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren, begins the sentencing phase in the trial of Morgan Geyser who was 12 when she and Anissa Weier plotted to kill their sixth-grade classmate in 2014 under a delusion they needed to carry out the act to appease the internet character Slender Man, appears for sentencing before Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren, . Geyser isn't criminally responsible for the shocking crime she committed as a mentally ill pre-teen yet could still get locked away for 40 years at a secure mental facility Girls Stabbing Plot, Waukesha, USA - 01 Feb 2018
Jessica Andrews, Director of Forensic Services at Winnebago Mental Health Facility, testifies that she believes Morgan Geyser has improved in her mental health where she should be placed in a setting for adolescents during sentencing before Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren, . Geyser isn't criminally responsible for the shocking crime she committed as a mentally ill pre-teen yet could still get locked away for 40 years at a secure mental facility Girls Stabbing Plot, Waukesha, USA - 01 Feb 2018
Image Credit: Courtesy of ABC

Slender Man Stabbing Victim: First Photos Revealed Of Payton Leutner

The world got their first look at Payton and her recovery since her brutal near death stabbing in May 2013. In the interview with 20/20’s David Muir, Payton’s parents detailed the horrific ordeal and their daughter’s brave journey.

Payton has remained anonymous until now. The only picture we’ve seen of Payton is of her being carried away on a stretcher. The 12-year-old seems to be recovering wonderfully, despite one of her multiple stab wounds missing a major artery by “the width of a human hair,” according to the interview.

In the interview, Payton can be seen playing with a cat, carving pumpkins, attending a Katy Perry concert and going back to school for the first time since the brutal attack. Payton did not speak of the stabbing on 20/20.

We are so proud of Payton for not letting this situation stand in the way of her living a normal live. She is an inspiration to us all.

Slender Man Stabbing Victim: Payton Leutner’s Parents Detail Her Journey

Despite suffering 19 stab wounds and left for dead in the Wisconsin woods, Payton managed to crawl out of the woods where a bicyclist found her and called 911.

Payton’s injuries made it hard for her to talk, so she wrote notes to her parents, Stacie and Joe Leutner, to stay connected. The first question she asked, “Did they find them?”

When the time was right, her parents asked her how she was able to crawl out of the woods. “I wanted to live,” she said.

“She’s an amazing child,” Payton’s mother said. Her father added, “She’s definitely our hero.”

Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier were arrested soon after the stabbing. The girls could face up to 60 years in prison if they are convicted as adults of attempted homicide. If they are convicted as juveniles, they could still face up to 25 years in prison.

We wish Payton all the best as she continues to recover.

Here’s a clip from the 20/20 interview:


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