16 American Cities Forever Changed by True Crime Documentaries

6. Waukesha, Wisconsin: The Slenderman Shadow

Waukesha, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb, gained grim notoriety following the 2014 Slenderman stabbing, where two 12-year-old girls lured and attacked a friend. HBO's "Beware the Slenderman" (2016) meticulously explores this unsettling case, delving into the defendants' fascination with the online urban legend and the profound psychological impact on a seemingly ordinary community. The documentary probes the fine line between childhood fantasy and dangerous delusion, leaving Waukesha synonymous with a chilling modern cautionary tale about internet influence and the darker corners of the youthful mind.