Netflix viewers are calling ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’ the most unsettling documentary they’ve ever seen, and for good reason. This feature-length film delves into the real-life story of Lauryn Licari, who at just 13 years old, started receiving an onslaught of disturbing anonymous text messages.
The messages, filled with death threats, vile insults, and a focus on driving a wedge between Lauryn and her boyfriend Owen, persisted for over a year before the families decided to involve law enforcement. It took several more months before the perpetrator was identified. During this time, other students at Beal City High School in Michigan were also implicated in tormenting the young couple, leading to their eventual breakup due to the cyberbullying.
Among the chilling messages Lauryn received were threats like “finish yourself or we will” and “you are the ugliest person I’ve ever seen.” The documentary takes a shocking turn when the FBI traces the messages back to Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra, who eventually confesses to the crime when confronted by authorities.
One viewer described the revelation as “the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen. You will never see it coming. Shook doesn’t cover it,” while another expressed disbelief, saying, “Tell me you can’t trust your own shadow.”
Kendra Licari was convicted of cyberstalking in 2023 and served time in prison. Psychologist John Eastham remarked that Kendra’s actions indicated deep psychological disturbances, noting that such behavior goes against the fundamental expectation that a parent should protect, not harm, their child.
While Kendra failed to provide a clear explanation for her actions in the documentary, she suggested that past trauma, including being assaulted as a teenager, may have played a role. John concurred, explaining that unresolved trauma can lead individuals to project their pain onto others, resulting in destructive behaviors.
The sexually explicit nature of some of the messages Kendra sent about Lauryn’s boyfriend hints at potential jealousy or inappropriate fixation, according to John. He added that individuals who engage in destructive behaviors often struggle to articulate their motives due to denial, shame, and a lack of insight.
Despite the turmoil caused by her mother, Lauryn expressed love for Kendra during the show and maintained contact while Kendra was in prison. Experts point out that children can still seek connection with parents even after experiencing harmful behavior from them.
In conclusion, this case highlights how psychological distress and unresolved trauma can distort behavior to the point of appearing incomprehensible. It serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity and fragility of the parent-child relationship.
