In 2009, a mysterious post popped up on internet forums – a series of photographs featuring a sinister entity depicted as a tall, faceless figure in a suit, with elongated limbs and tentacles. Slender Man, as he came to be known, went on to haunt every corner of the internet. And while most thought he was nothing more than an online urban legend, the lore of Slenderman left the screen when two young girls said he was the reason they tried to commit murder.
Fan rendering of Slender Man. Courtesy of Creepy Pasta
One of the original Slender Man images posted by user Victor Surge on the Something Awful forums. Courtesy of CBS News and Eric Knudsen/ Something Awful.
One of the original Slender Man images posted by user Victor Surge on the Something Awful forums. Courtesy of CBS News and Eric Knudsen/ Something Awful.
Fan Rendering of Slender Man. Courtesy of CBS News and HBO’s Beware of the Slender Man
Morgan Geyser (left) and Anissa Weier (right). Courtesy of CBS News and CBS Affiliate WDJT
Episode Source Material
PRINT NEWS
- ABC News: Slender Man Stabbing Survivor’s Parents: ‘She’s Meant to Do Something Special,’ by David Muir, Sean Dooley, Jasime Brown, and Jeff Schneider.
- ABC News: ‘Slender Man’ Stabbing Victim Speaks Publicly for the First Time: ‘Without the whole situation, I wouldn’t be who I am’ by Kelley Robinson.
- ABC News: Teen Inspired by ‘Slender Man’ Set House on Fire: Police by ABC News.
- CBS News: “Slenderman” Linked to a Second Stabbing? By Stephanie Slifer.
- Hollywood Life: Slender Man: Girls, 12, Called Attack Plot ‘Stabby, Stab, Stab’ Say Police by Lauren Cox.
- NBC News: ‘Slender Man’ Creator Speaks on Stabbing: ‘I am Deeply Saddened.’
- New York Times: Milwaukee Suburb tries to Cope with Girl’s Stabbing by Monica Davey and Steven Yaccino
- People: Slender Man Stabbing: Where Are Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser 10 Years After Attack? By Jessica Sager.
- Tech Crucnh: The Story of Slenderman, the Internet’s Own Monster by John Biggs.
- Vice: Fuck You and Die: An Oral History of Something Awful by Taylor Wofford.
- WISN: Principal Says Stabbing Suspects were Good Students, No History of Bad Behavior by Christina Palladino.
DOCUMENTARIES (FILM & TV)
ACADEMIC PAPERS
WEB / SOCIAL MEDIA / MESSAGE BOARDS