Home Celebritisnewss033

5 Most Shocking Spoilers And The Mother’s Twisted Motive In ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’

• minute read
Contents
The Netflix true crime documentary, *Unknown Number: The High School Catfish*, has captivated and horrified audiences since its release, delivering one of the most unexpected and disturbing twists in recent memory. As of today, December 22, 2025, the documentary remains a major talking point, not just for the cyberbullying itself, but for the truly shocking identity of the perpetrator and the baffling legal outcome that followed. This deep-dive article provides the full, comprehensive spoiler, details the meticulous investigation, and explores the twisted psychological motive behind the entire scheme. The film, directed by Skye Borgman, meticulously chronicles a devastating cyberbullying campaign that plagued a small Michigan community for over a year. The core of the mystery revolved around a relentless barrage of aggressive and harassing text messages sent to two teenagers—Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny—from an "unknown number." The identity of the tormentor, however, turned out to be far closer and more sinister than anyone in Beal City, Michigan, could have ever imagined.

Kendra Licari: The Catfish's Full Profile and Legal Outcome

The true story of *Unknown Number: The High School Catfish* centers on the perpetrator, Kendra Licari, whose profile as a seemingly normal, involved mother and respected community member made the eventual revelation all the more shocking.
  • Full Name: Kendra Gail Licari
  • Role in Community: Former Beal City High School Girls' Basketball Coach and volunteer.
  • Victims: Her own daughter, Lauryn Licari, and Lauryn’s boyfriend, Owen McKenny.
  • Timeline of Cyberbullying: The harassment began in the fall of 2021 and continued for over a year.
  • Method: Used various *spoofing* apps, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and sophisticated digital tools to mask her identity, sending thousands of aggressive text messages and emails.
  • Arrest Date: December 2022.
  • Charges: Two counts of felony stalking a minor, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and one count of obstruction of justice.
  • Plea: Pleaded guilty to four charges in February 2024.
  • Sentence: Sentenced to only 60 days in jail, followed by 18 months of probation.
  • Current Status: As of the documentary’s release, she is serving or has served her short jail sentence and is on probation.

The biggest and most disturbing revelation of the documentary is that the relentless, cruel cyberbully was Kendra Licari herself. She was the one who initially brought the harassment to the attention of the school, essentially initiating the investigation into her own crimes. This shocking twist became the centerpiece of the Netflix film.

The Digital Forensics: How the ‘Unknown Number’ Was Traced

The investigation into the *Unknown Number* was a complex and frustrating process that initially led authorities down multiple dead ends. The sheer volume of messages—over 12,000 texts and emails—suggested an obsessive, dedicated tormentor. The local Beal City Police Department quickly realized the case required specialized expertise, leading to the involvement of the Isabella County Prosecutor's Office and, crucially, the FBI.

The FBI's involvement shifted the focus from the content of the messages to the *digital footprint* left behind. Kendra Licari, despite her efforts to hide, was eventually caught by a trail of digital evidence:

  • IP Address Tracking: Investigators were able to trace the IP addresses associated with the *spoofing* and messaging apps used by the catfish. While Licari used VPNs and other masking tools, the pattern of activity eventually led them to a home network.
  • Device Correlation: The final, damning evidence came from correlating the times the harassing messages were sent with the physical location and network usage of specific electronic devices. The *digital forensics* team was able to link the messages directly to devices owned and operated by Kendra Licari.
  • The Confession: Faced with irrefutable technical evidence, Licari eventually confessed to the authorities, though she later attempted to retract parts of her statement. Her confession confirmed that she was using multiple devices to send the aggressive text messages to her daughter and Owen McKenny.

This part of the case highlights the critical role of modern technology in solving true crime, proving that even a seemingly untraceable *catfish* can be identified through meticulous digital analysis.

The Twisted Psychology and Outrage Over the Sentence

One of the most compelling and debated aspects of the *Unknown Number* case is the motive behind Kendra Licari’s actions. The documentary touches on the psychological theories that attempt to explain why a mother would subject her own child to such relentless emotional and psychological abuse. The prevailing theory among some experts is a form of *Digital Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy* (DMSP).

Digital Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: A Possible Motive

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) is a mental disorder in which a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a person under their care to gain attention or sympathy. The *digital* variant suggests that Licari may have created the crisis—the cyberbullying—to position herself as the supportive, protective mother who was trying to solve the problem. She was the first to report the harassment, actively participating in the early stages of the investigation, which fits the pattern of DMSP. This gave her a sense of control and attention within the small community of Beal City, Michigan.

The Controversial 60-Day Jail Sentence

Perhaps the most controversial detail revealed in the documentary is the leniency of Kendra Licari’s sentence. Despite facing up to five years in prison for the felony charges, the Isabella County judge sentenced her to only 60 days in jail and 18 months of probation. This outcome sparked widespread outrage, with many viewers and community members feeling the sentence did not match the severity and duration of the emotional trauma inflicted on Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny.

The short sentence has become a focal point for discussions about how the legal system addresses *cybercrime* and *emotional abuse*, particularly when the victim is a minor and the perpetrator is a parent. The documentary leaves viewers with a profound sense of injustice, highlighting the ongoing struggle of the victims to recover from the betrayal and the two years of relentless *harassment* they endured.

The Aftermath for Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny

The documentary provides heartbreaking interviews with the victims, Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, detailing the profound impact the *catfishing* had on their lives. Their relationship was severely strained by the aggressive, targeted messages, which often contained deeply personal and cruel content designed to sow distrust and fear.

For Lauryn, the revelation that her own mother was the tormentor was a catastrophic betrayal of trust. The documentary showcases the difficulty of reconciling the image of her mother with the reality of the manipulative cyberbully. Owen McKenny also shared his feelings of confusion and anger, having spent years trying to identify the person who was actively trying to destroy his life and relationship. Their story serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dark side of online anonymity and the devastating, long-lasting effects of familial betrayal and cyberbullying. The case remains a stark reminder of the entities involved in modern crime: *digital identity*, *parental control*, and *high school trauma*.

5 Most Shocking Spoilers and The Mother’s Twisted Motive in ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’
unknown number the high school catfish spoiler
unknown number the high school catfish spoiler

Detail Author:

  • Name : Chelsea Schowalter
  • Username : cordie.crist
  • Email : voconnell@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 2001-09-28
  • Address : 176 Wisozk Shore Nitzschemouth, WV 65646-5397
  • Phone : 1-260-350-7487
  • Company : Schmidt, Dickinson and Veum
  • Job : Bench Jeweler
  • Bio : Cumque et vitae fugiat non cupiditate. Explicabo aut qui numquam voluptas. Nam illum illum ullam facilis.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/lambert3934
  • username : lambert3934
  • bio : A at sed est corporis perspiciatis id et. Accusamus minus quo ex reprehenderit odit quae quo.
  • followers : 1930
  • following : 835

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/lambert_xx
  • username : lambert_xx
  • bio : Cum reiciendis recusandae est velit vitae labore eligendi.
  • followers : 6878
  • following : 2640

tiktok:

Random Posts