The true-crime documentary genre continues to shock viewers, but few stories have delivered a twist as gut-wrenching as the one revealed in Netflix's *Unknown Number: The High School Catfish*. Released recently, the film chronicles the harrowing cyberstalking ordeal faced by two Michigan teenagers, only for the perpetrator to be unmasked as someone shockingly close to the victims.
As of December 2025, the case remains a major talking point, especially as the main subjects—the victims and the perpetrator—navigate their lives post-conviction and post-documentary fame. This article dives deep into the biographies of the key individuals, the shocking details of the crime, and the most up-to-date information on where the *High School Catfish* cast is now.
The Central Figures: A Complete Biography Profile
The "cast" of the *Unknown Number: The High School Catfish* documentary are real people whose lives were irrevocably altered by a complex cyberstalking scheme. The narrative centers on a teenage couple and the adult who tormented them.
- Kendra Licari (The Catfish/Perpetrator):
- Role in Story: The mother of victim Lauryn Licari and a former Beal City High School girls' basketball coach. She was the anonymous figure behind the thousands of vulgar and threatening messages sent to her daughter and Owen McKenny.
- Age at Time of Crime: Early 40s.
- Legal Status: Pled guilty to two counts of stalking a minor and four counts of using a computer to commit a crime.
- Current Status (2025): Sentenced to 19 months to five years in prison in April 2023. She was released on parole on August 8, 2024, after serving a portion of her sentence.
- Lauryn Licari (The Primary Victim):
- Role in Story: A high school student from Beal City, Michigan, who, along with her then-boyfriend, was relentlessly cyberbullied and harassed by an "Unknown Number" for nearly two years.
- Background: A dedicated athlete, she was a member of the varsity softball team at Beal City High School.
- Current Status (2025): Graduated from high school in 2024 and is currently playing collegiate softball, actively moving forward with her life after the trauma.
- Owen McKenny (The Secondary Victim):
- Role in Story: Lauryn Licari's ex-boyfriend who was also a key target of the cyberstalking campaign, suffering emotional distress and public humiliation.
- Age at Time of Crime: Approximately 13 years old when the harassment began in 2020.
- Current Status (2025): Has largely maintained a private life, focusing on recovering from the prolonged psychological ordeal detailed in the documentary.
The Shocking Twist: Unmasking The High School Catfish
The story captivated viewers because of its unsettling true-crime nature, but the identity of the "Unknown Number" provided a twist that few could have predicted. The cyberstalking began in 2020, targeting Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny with thousands of vulgar, threatening, and manipulative messages sent from various anonymous numbers and social media accounts.
The messages were designed to pit the teenagers against each other and cause immense psychological distress. The Catfish used sophisticated methods, including VPNs and burner phones, to hide their identity, leading to a complex and drawn-out investigation by local law enforcement in Isabella County, Michigan.
The investigation eventually led to the shocking discovery that the perpetrator was Kendra Licari—Lauryn’s own mother. This revelation immediately shifted the narrative from a typical high school bullying case to a disturbing example of parental abuse and cyber-predation. The documentary, directed by Skye Borgman, masterfully details the emotional toll this betrayal took on Lauryn and Owen.
Kendra Licari initially cooperated with authorities, even pretending to help them in the investigation, further complicating the case and deepening the sense of betrayal for her daughter and the entire community. Her motive remains a subject of intense speculation, with theories ranging from a desire to control her daughter's life to an attempt to keep Lauryn and Owen apart.
Kendra Licari's Sentence and Her Life on Parole in 2025
The legal process for Kendra Licari concluded with a significant prison sentence, though her time served was shorter than the maximum. On April 26, 2023, Licari was sentenced to a minimum of 19 months and a maximum of five years in a Michigan state prison. She pled guilty to the charges, avoiding a lengthy trial.
The severity of the sentence reflected the nature of the crime—stalking a minor, which involved a calculated, prolonged campaign of emotional abuse. Her conviction served as a stark warning about the legal consequences of malicious online harassment and cyberstalking.
Latest Update: Kendra Licari was granted parole and was released from prison on August 8, 2024. As of late 2025, she is living under strict parole conditions. These conditions are extensive and are designed to prevent any further contact with the victims and to monitor her digital activities closely.
Parole rules often include a ban on accessing social media, mandatory check-ins with a parole officer, and restrictions on travel. The case of Kendra Licari is a critical reference point in discussions about cybercrime and the necessary laws to protect minors from digital abuse, even from family members.
Where Are Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny Now?
The most important question for viewers of *Unknown Number* is the well-being of the victims. Both Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny have taken significant steps to reclaim their lives and move past the trauma inflicted by the "High School Catfish."
Lauryn Licari: A New Chapter in College
Lauryn Licari’s journey has been one of resilience. Despite the immense betrayal and public exposure of the documentary, she has focused on her education and athletic career. She successfully graduated from Beal City High School in 2024.
As of 2025, Lauryn is attending college and playing collegiate softball. Her dedication to her sport and her ability to pursue a normal young adult life demonstrates a powerful victory over the abuse she endured. She has used her platform to speak out about the dangers of cyberbullying and the importance of mental health, becoming an accidental advocate for victims.
Owen McKenny: Moving on From the Ordeal
Owen McKenny was only 13 years old when the harassment began, making the psychological impact particularly severe. The documentary highlighted the confusion and isolation he felt during the two years of relentless texts and messages.
While Owen has chosen to keep his current life largely private—a understandable choice given the trauma—reports indicate he is focused on his education and personal healing. His decision to participate in the documentary was a courageous step to share his experience and shed light on the devastating effects of cyberstalking. His story remains a powerful testimony to the hidden dangers of online interactions, even in small, close-knit communities like those in rural Michigan.
The story of the *High School Catfish* is a cautionary tale that transcends typical reality TV drama, serving as a chilling reminder of how digital deception can destroy lives and families. The current updates on Kendra Licari's parole and the victims' new beginnings in 2025 provide a crucial final chapter to one of the most talked-about true-crime documentaries.
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