Netflix's 'Unknown Number': SA Shocked by High School Catfish Drama!
Netflix's latest true-crime documentary, 'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish', has South Africa buzzing! This shocking story unfolds in the small town of Beal City, Michigan, and centres around Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen, who became the victims of relentless cyberbullying.
The Mystery of the Unknown Number
Imagine receiving vile and threatening text messages from an unknown number. That's exactly what happened to Lauryn and Owen, starting in 2020. After a brief lull, the messages resurfaced in September 2021, escalating into a torrent of abuse over the next 15 months. What made these messages particularly disturbing was the personal information they contained – details only someone close to Lauryn would know.
The Investigation and the Unthinkable
Initially, police suspected Lauryn and Owen's classmates and friends. But the investigation stalled until the FBI stepped in. They eventually traced the messages to someone nobody expected: Lauryn's own mother, Kendra Licari.
The documentary features chilling police body cam footage of Sheriff Mike Main confronting Kendra Licari, and the heart-wrenching moment Lauryn learns the truth about her mother's betrayal.
Why Did She Do It?
The documentary delves into the motives behind Kendra's actions. She sent messages pretending to be other classmates, trying to break Lauryn and Owen up, and even sent messages telling her own daughter to harm herself. The reasons behind this disturbing behaviour are complex and explored in detail in the film.
The Aftermath
In December 2022, Kendra Licari was arrested and charged with multiple counts of stalking and using a computer to commit a crime. In 2023, she was sentenced to at least 19 months in prison. 'Unknown Number' explores the impact of Kendra's actions on her daughter, her ex-boyfriend, their families, and the entire community.
- The documentary includes the actual text messages sent.
- Features interviews with Lauryn, Owen, their families, and law enforcement.
- Explores the devastating consequences of cyberbullying.
If you're looking for a gripping true-crime story that will leave you questioning everything, 'Unknown Number: The High School Catfish' is a must-watch on Netflix SA!