First Pic Of Payton Leutner – Hollywood Life

Slender Man Stabbing Victim Photo — Image Credit: Courtesy of ABC

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. — 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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— Avery Thompson