Unknown Number: The High School Catfish – A True Crime Documentary Exposing Hidden Family Betrayal

“Unknown Number: The High School Catfish” unveils a chilling cyberbullying case from Beal City, Michigan. Teen Lauryn Licari and boyfriend Owen were bombarded with abusive messages from an anonymous number for months—until a shocking twist revealed the sender as someone closest to home.

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish – True Crime with a Devastating Twist

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish chronicles a haunting case of online harassment that escalated to a betrayal few could imagine. Directed by Skye Borgman, the documentary dives into the lives of Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend Owen McKenny, who became the targets of cruel, anonymous text messages in 2020 and again in 2021. At first, classmates and community members suspected peers. Eventually, the messages were traced through an FBI investigation—revealing a reveal so shocking it changed their lives forever.

Origins of the Harassment

The harassment began modestly—a few nasty messages, mean rumors—but quickly escalated. Lauryn and Owen, both just 13, began receiving texts from a blocked, unknown number. The content ranged from verbal insults to sexual propositions and threats, often referencing personal details, using Lauryn’s nickname and private moments. The volume increased, with dozens of messages per day, each more invasive than the last. Emotional and verbal abuse wasn’t just over the phone—it ruptured their high school environment, tearing at friendships and trust.

Escalation: Long-Term Cyberbullying & Community Turmoil

Over roughly 15 months, the messages never fully stopped. Though there were pauses, the harassment resumed with renewed intensity. Local suspicion grew, fingers pointed at classmates, and rumors spread. Some students faced accusations, tension in school rose, and Lauryn felt pressure not only from the unseen sender but also from a community that was frightened and bewildered. As evidence accumulated, anxiety spread not just among the victims but also those close to them—family members, teachers, and local officials.

Investigation & The FBI’s Role

After local authorities struggled to identify the sender, the FBI was brought in. Digital forensics became crucial. Phones, spoofing apps, and message tracers were all part of a detailed and complex process. The investigation grew beyond mere rumors, involving legal procedures, expert testimony, and interviews with hundreds of people. Suspicion fell in different directions along the way, including toward innocents like classmates and acquaintances. Misidentifications caused emotional harm, highlighting how difficult it is for victims when public blame is cast prematurely.

The Reveal: The Unthinkable Perpetrator

The documentary’s turning point came when investigators tracked the abusive messages back to someone nobody expected—Kendra Licari, Lauryn’s own mother. The sources of betrayal and harassment weren’t peers, but the person who should have been a protector. The revelation—as painful as it was—served as the heart of the documentary’s emotional weight. Viewers see Lauryn grappling with the betrayal, struggling with self-image, trust, and her relationship with Kendra. For Owen, the impact included confusion, heartbreak, and a loss of innocence.

Legal Outcome & Consequences

Following her confession in late 2022, Kendra Licari pleaded guilty to stalking a minor in 2023. She was sentenced to between 19 months and five years in prison. After serving part of her sentence, she was released on parole in August 2024. The case on documentary reveals that beyond punishment, there are lingering consequences: custody issues, trust broken, friendships strained, and mental health effects that will take time to heal. Kendra’s contact with Lauryn remains legally restricted, and marital ties ended. Lauryn’s father was granted full custody in the aftermath.

Emotional Toll and Fallout on Victims

Lauryn’s life changed drastically. She lost trust in her mother, suffered emotional and psychological trauma from repeated harassment, and faced social isolation. Owen, likewise, had to deal with confusion, rumor, and emotional scars from being involved in a high-profile case. Another teen, Adrianna, was falsely accused during the investigation, even though she was later cleared. The documentary underscores how many lives were harmed—not only through the abusive texts but through suspicion, community reaction, and media coverage.

Documentary Style & Storytelling Approach

Skye Borgman’s approach combines interviews, reenactments, voice-overs, and real message excerpts to rebuild the timeline. The documentary doesn’t shy away from showing the horrifying texts in stark, readable fashion, allowing the audience to understand how invasive and degrading they were. Scenes of Lauryn’s reaction, Kendra’s emotional confessions, and community responses are interwoven to create both suspense and heartbreak. Critics have noted that while the documentary is well-edited and emotionally powerful, some felt it glossed over deeper psychological context and the story of teens beyond Lauryn and Owen.

Why the Story Resonates Deeply

Many viewers connect with this story because it combines multiple fears: betrayal, vulnerability, and the dangers of anonymity on social media. The idea that harassment could come from anyone—or someone close—is terrifying. The role of technology, fake numbers, message spoofing, and persistent abuse reflect real-world issues many teens face. The documentary highlights how quickly trust can be shattered, and how community and family reactions can either help or intensify trauma.

Resilience & Life After the Documentary

Post-release, Lauryn has taken steps toward healing. She is now 18, focused on reclaiming her life, pursuing studies, and maintaining distance from toxic relationships. Owen has moved forward with his own path. Adrianna, wrongly accused, has also chosen to live more privately, trying to rebuild her reputation. Kendra, once part of Lauryn’s daily life, continues under parole restrictions, with limited contact. The documentary shows glimpses of hope—but also makes clear that some wounds take years to heal.

Broader Implications: Cyberbullying, Legal Gaps, Family Boundaries

The case raises urgent questions about how society handles cyberbullying, especially when the perpetrator is a family member. Are current laws sufficient for holding responsible those who use technology to harass minors? What safeguards exist in high-school settings, and how should schools respond when rumors swirl? Also, how should courts weigh mental health, trauma, or guilt when the wrongdoing comes from within the home? The story challenges norms about trust and protection in families, highlighting that sometimes victims must defend themselves not just from strangers—but from those meant to protect them.

Reception & Criticism

The documentary earned praise for its emotional impact and brave truth-telling. Viewers praised how it foregrounded Lauryn’s perspective, and the stunning twist was widely discussed. Some, however, felt the film could have delved deeper into Kendra’s motives beyond emotional confession—mental health, past trauma, and therapy were touched on but critics wanted more context. Others pointed out the documentary’s balance between suspense and sensitivity—at times tense or triggering, especially for those with similar experiences.

Conclusion

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish isn’t just another true crime documentary—it’s a raw and painful reminder of how betrayal, abuse, and secrecy can hide behind family walls and anonymous screens. The story forces audiences to rethink assumptions about safety, trust, and the ways technology can distort relationships. While legal justice has been served, emotional justice takes time. The courage of Lauryn and others to speak out and rebuild offers a path toward healing. For those who watch it, the documentary leaves lasting lessons about empathy, awareness, and protecting those most vulnerable from harm—even from those they love.