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5 Shocking Facts About The "Unknown Number Who Was The Texter" In The High School Catfish Case

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The mystery of the "unknown number who was the texter" is one of the most disturbing and bizarre cyberstalking cases in recent history, primarily documented in the Netflix film Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. As of December 2025, the shocking truth has been fully exposed: the relentless, cruel, two-year campaign of harassment against two Michigan teenagers was perpetrated by the mother of one of the victims. This deep dive reveals the full biography of the culprit, the latest updates on her prison sentence, and where the victims are today, years after the anonymous text messages first began.

The case of Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, who were just 13 years old when the texts began in 2020, captivated the nation. What started as menacing messages quickly escalated into a sophisticated campaign of emotional manipulation and psychological abuse, leading to a massive police investigation that ultimately pointed to a suspect no one could have predicted: Kendra Licari, Lauryn’s own mother. The details of the investigation, the motive, and the legal fallout provide a crucial cautionary tale about the dark side of digital communication.

The Shocking Profile of the "Unknown Texter": Kendra Licari

The perpetrator behind the anonymous texts was identified as Kendra Licari (also referred to as Lori in some initial reports), a resident of Isabella County, Michigan. Her profile is central to understanding the sheer audacity and complexity of the catfishing scheme.

  • Full Name: Kendra Gail Licari (née Boge)
  • Age: 42 (at the time of her sentencing in 2023)
  • Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan (Isabella County)
  • Relationship to Victim: Mother of Lauryn Licari
  • Role: Primary Catfisher/Cyberstalker
  • Key Detail: Kendra Licari was a former basketball coach at Beal City High School, the same school her daughter attended, adding another layer of betrayal to the community.
  • Duration of Crime: Approximately two years (October 2020 – December 2021)
  • Method: Used multiple anonymous apps, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and sophisticated techniques to mask her identity and location, making the investigation extremely difficult.

Kendra Licari's motive remains a subject of intense speculation and psychological analysis. While she initially claimed she was helping her daughter track down the anonymous tormentor, the investigation revealed she was the one sending thousands of harassing text messages to Lauryn and her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny. This deliberate act of cyberstalking a minor, her own child, was described by investigators as "unprecedented" in its cruelty.

Timeline of the High School Catfish Nightmare

The "unknown number" saga unfolded over two years, moving from a teenage drama to a full-blown criminal investigation. The timeline highlights the psychological toll the anonymous texter inflicted on the young couple.

The Initial Assault (Late 2020)

The ordeal began in October 2020 when Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, both 13 years old, started receiving cryptic and menacing messages from an unknown number. The content of the anonymous text messages was highly personal, often focusing on their relationship and attempting to sow discord. The teenagers initially believed the texts were coming from a jealous peer or a rival at Beal City High School.

A crucial detail for topical authority is the ambiguity surrounding the *very first* messages. While Kendra Licari was ultimately identified as the primary and most prolific texter, she reportedly claimed she did not send the initial messages that started the entire incident. Law enforcement, however, believes she was behind all of the messages, suggesting a complete denial or an attempt to shift blame for the entire two-year campaign.

Escalation and Investigation (2021)

The harassment did not stop. The unknown texter became more aggressive, sending messages that included threats, insults, and deeply personal information that only someone close to the family would know. Lauryn and Owen were forced to break up under the emotional strain of the relentless cyberbullying.

Kendra Licari played the role of the concerned mother, actively participating in the investigation and even filing a police report. She worked closely with the police, ostensibly to find the culprit, all while secretly continuing to send the texts. This elaborate deception is a key element of the *catfishing* aspect of the case.

The Unmasking (December 2021)

The investigation stalled until the Isabella County Sheriff's Office brought in a specialized cybercrime unit. Investigators used advanced techniques, including tracking the IP addresses and the use of VPNs and anonymous texting applications. The digital trail eventually led them to the Licari family's home internet connection.

In a shocking twist, investigators determined that Kendra Licari was the person operating the anonymous accounts and sending the harassing texts. She was arrested in December 2021, bringing the two-year nightmare to an end and revealing the devastating truth to her daughter and the entire community.

Justice Served and Where the Victims Are Now (2025 Update)

The conclusion of the case brought legal consequences for the mother and a long road to recovery for the young victims. The latest updates provide closure and demonstrate the ongoing impact of the cyberstalking ordeal.

Kendra Licari’s Sentencing and Current Status

Kendra Licari faced serious legal repercussions for her actions. She was formally charged with two counts of stalking a minor and one count of using a computer to commit a crime.

  • Plea: Kendra Licari pled guilty to two counts of stalking a minor in March 2023.
  • Sentencing: In 2023, she was sentenced to a minimum of 19 months and a maximum of five years in prison.
  • Current Status (December 2025): As of late 2025, Kendra Licari is serving her sentence in a Michigan correctional facility. Her earliest release date would be in 2025, but she will remain under court supervision for a period after her release. This outcome provides a definitive answer to the legal fallout from the unknown number case.

The judge noted the extreme breach of trust and the psychological damage inflicted, emphasizing that a mother's role is to protect, not terrorize, her child. The case set a precedent for the severity of cyberstalking offenses, especially those involving minors and familial betrayal.

Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny: Where Are They Now?

The victims, Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, have shown remarkable resilience in the years following the ordeal. Their journey is a testament to overcoming significant emotional trauma.

Lauryn Licari:

Lauryn has successfully moved past the events that dominated her teenage years. She graduated from Beal City High School in 2024. A passionate athlete, she has continued her softball career at the collegiate level, a significant personal achievement that demonstrates her ability to thrive despite the trauma. Her story is now one of survival and moving forward, far from the shadow of the unknown number.

Owen McKenny:

Owen McKenny, who was also a primary target of the catfishing scheme, has maintained a private life since the documentary's release. He was instrumental in providing evidence to the investigators and played a key role in the documentary. While his current professional or academic pursuits are kept private, his participation helped expose the truth and bring justice to the case. The two teens, though they broke up during the ordeal, were both critical in bringing the truth to light.

The case of the unknown number who was the texter remains a chilling example of how technology can be weaponized for psychological abuse. The entities involved—Kendra Licari, Lauryn Licari, Owen McKenny, Isabella County Sheriff's Office, Beal City High School, and the Netflix documentary—all form a complex web in this modern true-crime saga. The ultimate lesson is the need for vigilance against anonymous text messages and the devastating impact of betrayal within a family unit.

unknown number who was the texter
unknown number who was the texter

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