The Untold Story Behind “Unknown Number: The High School Catfish” and the Scandal That Rocked a Town

Netflix’s documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish exposes a disturbing true story of cyberbullying, deception, and betrayal that unfolded over nearly two years in the small town of Beal City, Michigan. It follows high school couple Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, known as the “Golden Couple,” who were relentlessly harassed through anonymous texts before the shocking identification of the sender.

A Perfect Couple and Their Nightmare

Lauryn and Owen, childhood neighbors and longtime sweethearts, officially began dating in eighth grade. Their families were close, with parents hosting barbecues and spending time together. Their seemingly idyllic relationship was shattered when, shortly before Halloween 2020, they received the first hateful texts from an unknown number claiming Owen was breaking up with Lauryn.

The messages paused but then resumed a year later, bombarding the couple with a deluge of threats and sexually explicit messages that often named Lauryn’s nickname, “Lo,” revealing the sender’s intimate knowledge of the teens’ lives. The persistent harassment continued unabated, with texts ranging from accusations of infidelity to vitriolic suggestions that Lauryn should harm herself.

Isolation and Investigation

The relentless cyberbullying understandably strained Lauryn and Owen’s relationship, leading to fights and a temporary breakup in hopes the harassment would stop. Instead, the messages worsened, with threats escalating to physical harm and references to Owen’s new girlfriend, which indicated stalking behavior.

Lauryn and Owen’s school principal involved state police, who questioned friends and classmates, none of whom admitted involvement. Initial suspicions fell on a student named Khloe due to her possession of burner phones and mimicry of text style, but no conclusive evidence linked her to the messages.

The FBI Cracks the Case

As local investigations stalled, the FBI's Computer Crimes Task Force was called in. Experts used meticulous digital forensics, subpoenaing records from the app that allowed the sender to change numbers and hide their trace. After cross-referencing data points, they narrowed down the origin to a single IP address.

The shocking truth emerged: Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari, was behind the cyberbullying. Police confronted Kendra at the Licari family home, where she nearly immediately confessed to sending the threatening texts. Body cam footage of the confrontation shows Lauryn’s stunned disbelief and her father’s anger.

The Harrowing Motive and Legal Consequences

Kendra admitted to fabricating employment and lying about her life circumstances for over a year while orchestrating the harassment campaign. Prosecutors charged her with stalking a minor and conspiring to commit a crime. In April 2023, Kendra pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking and received a sentence of 19 months to five years in prison. She was released on parole in August 2024.

This revelation devastated the family and community, exposing the dark extremes of domestic dysfunction and technology’s role in amplifying harm.

Aftermath and Where They Are Now

The fallout from the incident was profound. Lauryn’s parents divorced, with her father gaining full custody. Lauryn received some communication from Kendra while she was incarcerated but later restricted contact. The documentary shows Lauryn expressing hope for eventual reconciliation “when the time is right,” though she and Owen are no longer together or close.

Lauryn’s family and the town of Beal City continue to grapple with the emotional and social scars left by this extraordinary betrayal.

Documenting the Scandal

Directed by Skye Borgman, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish premiered on Netflix on August 29, 2025. It weaves together interviews with the victims, family, law enforcement, and community members alongside archival footage to chronicle both the impact of cyberbullying and the painstaking law enforcement efforts to uncover the truth.

The film highlights themes of trust, privacy, and the complex dynamics of family violence amplified by digital tools.

Summary

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish tells the unsettling true story of Beal City couple Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny, who endured two years of anonymous cyberstalking before the culprit turned out to be Lauryn’s own mother. The documentary reveals the painful consequences of digital harassment and familial betrayal while showcasing the resilience of the victims and the intricate work of investigators. It offers a timely exploration of modern cyberbullying and its devastating effects on young lives and communities.