Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Netflix loves a good true documentary, with the likes of American Murder: The Family Next Door and The Keepers hooking us in, while everyone remembers Tiger King getting them through the pandemic.
We recently covered the harrowing tale of Amy Bradley is Missing, and while Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is a very different story from American Murder: Laci Peterson, it's just as gripping.
Netflix's latest viral sensation covers the sordid tale of Lauryn Licari, who started receiving threatening messages from an unknown number (the clue was in the title) back in 2021.
Owen McKenny was Lauryn's boyfriend and was also bombarded with similar messages.
Advert
The pair were baffled as they were similarly attacked on social media, while Lauryn's mother teamed up with them and law enforcement in Beal City, Michigan, to track down the assailant.
The real twist is that it was Kendra Licari the entire time.
Skye Borgman's documentary explains how Kendra has been using a VPN to hide her location, although when things escalated to the FBI, officials managed to track her IP addresses.
Today confirms that Kendra Licari pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor in 2023 and was given a maximum sentence of five years.
Even though she was released in August 2024, part of her plea deal is that she isn't allowed to see Lauryn.
Messages sent to Lauryn included a barrage of abuse that said "He thinks you're ugly," (about Owen) and others like: "Hi Lauryn, Owen is breaking up with you. He no longer likes you and hasn't liked you for a while."
Things get even more disturbing when other exchanges get sexual. As well as saying she wanted to 'bang' Owen, another message stated: "It's obvious he wants me. He laughs, smiles, and touches my hair.
"We are both down to f**k. You are a sweet girl but I know I can give him what he wants, sorry not sorry."
Discussing the case, Superintendent Bill Chillan added: "They were vulgar and nasty enough to make a 53-year-old man blush. The evidence was extraordinary."
The most concerning referred to Lauryn receiving physical harm, including telling her to end her own life and 'jump off a bridge'.
Despite Lauryn attempting to block the number, the fact that it was using a random number generator meant she couldn't escape.
Lauryn has opened up about the ordeal and explained: "When I first read that, I was totally in shock, it made me feel bad, I was in a bad mental state."
As for Kendra, she has defended her actions, saying: "I can say I was not scared of her hurting herself. I know some people may question that or diminish that or whatever.
"But I know Lauryn and I know the conversations that her and I have. But if I didn't know her as well as I did, it might be different."
Still, Kendra maintains she didn't send the first message telling Lauryn that Owen was going to break up with her. She also hopes to build a relationship with her daughter one day.
