5 Shocking Revelations About ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’—And Where Kendra Licari Is Now
The Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish exposed one of the most disturbing and bewildering cyberbullying cases in recent memory, where a teenage couple was relentlessly tormented by an anonymous figure. Released in 2023, the film quickly captivated true-crime audiences by documenting the two-year investigation that started with local police and escalated to the FBI. The central mystery—"who was the unknown number?"—had an answer so shocking that it redefined the boundaries of parental betrayal.
As of December 10, 2025, the case continues to draw attention, especially with the most recent updates on the perpetrator’s legal status. The anonymous figure behind the hateful messages and online harassment was definitively revealed to be Kendra Licari, a Michigan mother who catfished her own daughter, Lauryn Licari, and her daughter’s then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny. This article dives deep into the identity of the catfish, the intricate investigation, and the most current updates on the lives of all those involved.
The Catfish's True Identity and Complete Biography Profile
The core of the *Unknown Number* documentary revolves around the agonizing process of identifying the person sending hundreds of disturbing, anonymous text messages and social media posts. The revelation that the culprit was not a jealous peer or a stranger, but a parent, stunned the community of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and viewers worldwide.
Kendra Gail Licari Profile:
- Full Name: Kendra Gail Licari (Maiden Name: Unknown)
- Date of Birth: August 16, 1980
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 45 years old
- Location (Original): Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- Family: Married to Shawn Licari (at the time of the crime); Mother to Lauryn Licari
- Occupation: Former volunteer basketball coach and parent at Beal City High School
- Crime: Cyberstalking and Catfishing a Minor (her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend)
- Period of Harassment: October 2020 to December 2022 (approx.)
- Plea/Conviction: Pleaded guilty to two felony counts of stalking a minor and one count of using a computer to commit a crime.
- Sentence: Minimum of 19 months to a maximum of 5 years in prison.
- Current Status: Parolee (Released on August 8, 2024)
The harassment campaign began in late 2020, targeting 13-year-old Lauryn and Owen. Kendra Licari used various sophisticated methods, including VPNs, burner phones, and third-party apps to hide her true phone number, creating the persona of the "unknown number." Authorities initially struggled to trace the messages, believing it to be a case of high school cyberbullying.
How the FBI Finally Unmasked the 'Unknown Number'
The investigation, which initially involved the local Isabella County Sheriff’s Office, hit a wall due to the perpetrator's digital obfuscation tactics. The sheer volume and intensity of the messages, which often included threats and highly personal information, eventually led to the case being escalated to federal authorities. This turning point was key to unraveling the mystery.
In April 2022, the FBI became involved, bringing in specialized cybercrimes expertise. The documentary highlights the pivotal role of FBI liaison Bradley Peter. Agent Peter was able to apply advanced techniques to analyze the digital footprint left by the anonymous sender. The investigation revealed that the perpetrator was using an app to mask their phone number, a crucial detail that had previously shielded the catfish.
The breakthrough came when Agent Peter noticed a recurring pattern: Kendra Licari’s actual phone number appeared multiple times in the records related to the masked messages. This connection, coupled with the IP address data and the seizure of Kendra Licari's devices in December 2022, provided irrefutable proof. The evidence showed that she had sent nearly 12,000 texts, many of which were deeply unsettling and psychologically damaging, over a period of almost two years.
The Shocking Motive: Why a Mother Catfished Her Own Child
The most enduring question following the documentary is, "Why would a mother do this to her own child?" While Kendra Licari never offered a clear, definitive explanation that satisfied the public or the victims, the case analysis points to a complex psychological profile often associated with Munchausen by Proxy or a severe need for control and attention.
During the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings, Kendra Licari alluded to personal struggles, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. However, many commentators and a licensed psychologist interviewed in connection with the case suggest that the motive was rooted in a desire to insert herself into her daughter’s life and control the narrative. By creating the anonymous bully, she could position herself as the supportive, protective mother, a central figure in her daughter's trauma. She was, in essence, creating a crisis to manage.
The messages themselves were highly manipulative, often pitting Lauryn against Owen and their friends, creating a climate of fear and isolation. The sheer volume of messages—12,000—demonstrates a deep, obsessive commitment to the catfishing persona, going far beyond a momentary lapse in judgment. She ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking a minor, a serious felony charge that reflected the severity of her actions and the psychological damage inflicted on the teenagers.
Where Are Kendra Licari, Lauryn Licari, and Owen McKenny Now? (2025 Update)
The most current and pressing question for those who followed the documentary is the status of the key figures in the case, particularly the catfish and the victims.
Kendra Licari: Current Status as a Parolee
Kendra Licari was sentenced to a minimum of 19 months in a Michigan correctional facility. However, current records show that her time behind bars was relatively brief. She was released on parole on August 8, 2024, and her current status is listed as "Parolee" by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Her release comes with a strict set of rules, including monitoring, mandatory counseling, and restrictions on her use of technology and contact with the victims. The swiftness of her release, while dictated by Michigan's sentencing guidelines, has been a point of controversy for those who believe the punishment did not fit the two years of psychological damage she inflicted.
Lauryn Licari: Moving Forward with Collegiate Softball
Despite the immense trauma caused by her mother’s actions, Lauryn Licari has shown remarkable resilience. The documentary highlights her passion for sports, and the latest updates confirm she has successfully moved on. Lauryn graduated from Beal City High School in 2024. More significantly, she is now playing collegiate softball, pursuing her athletic career at a higher level. Her public life focuses on her achievements and moving past the ordeal, a testament to her strength.
Owen McKenny: Life After the Ordeal
Owen McKenny, Lauryn's ex-boyfriend and the other primary target of the cyberstalking, also appears to be moving forward with his life. While he maintains a lower public profile than Lauryn, he was a key figure in the documentary, providing a crucial perspective on the relentless nature of the harassment. The case and the resulting documentary, directed by Skye Borgman, have brought massive attention to the insidious nature of cyberbullying and the importance of digital forensics in solving such crimes.
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