When Netflix released its new Unknown Number: The High School Catfish documentary, it reignited some serious questions about cyberbullying. This recent release follows the story of Lauryn Licari and her mother, Kendra, but turns out to be one of the most shocking and bizarre cyberbullying cases as of late. And this investigation is a modern parable about trust, technology and the vulnerabilities of living in such a digital world. In a time where teenagers and adults alike spend more hours online than ever before, this case underscores just how deception can thrive under the guise of anonymity.

Netflix’s decision to spotlight this story is incredibly timely since it doesn’t just unpack one family’s tragedy. It opens up a broader dialogue about digital safety, mental health and manipulation, with a shocking truth that blurs the line between online and offline realities. Here’s what we know about The High School Catfish doc, everyone involved and the big question: where are they now.

What is meant by catfishing someone?

The term “catfish” has been around for about a decade, so it’s not a new phenomenon. And it’s just as relevant today as it was when it was first coined. At its core, the term catfishing describes the act of pretending to be someone else online to deceive another person. This can be done for a variety of reasons but most commonly for emotional manipulation, personal gain or harassment. But in most cases, catfishing involves creating fake profiles, using stolen photos and fabricating identities. However, in the case highlighted in Netflix’s documentary, the act was more sinister and personal.

Lauryn Licari tells her story in ‘High School Catfish’

As it turns out, Lauryn was being catfished and cyberbullied for well over a year via text from an unknown number. Tudum reports that these suspicious texts began in Beal City, Michigan, around October 2020. But it is later revealed, after local investigation turned into FBI intervention, that the texts were coming from Kendra, Lauryn’s mother. This Michigan mother impersonated anonymous peers by sending harassing and disturbing messages to her then 13-year-old daughter and her boyfriend, Owen. 

Over that span of time, she manipulated their emotions, eroded their trust in their friends, and caused widespread fear within the community. Lewd and inappropriate texts like “U are worthless n mean nothing” and “Kill yourself now b***h” were sent many times a day, as News.com shares. So the case demonstrates how catfishing isn’t just about romance scams – it can also be weaponized in deeply personal and damaging ways. 

Does Netflix’s ‘Unknown Number’ differ from the real story?

While some true crime adaptations dramatize details to keep viewers engaged, Netflix sticks with accuracy over sensationalism. Overall, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish closely mirrors the events surrounding Lauryn and Kendra Licari. It even includes direct interviews with Lauryn and her high school peers, which sets the scene for such a harrowing ordeal. 

Sharing these points of view before and after Kendra’s conviction shows how the anonymous harassment truly unfolded. It also highlights how it impacted Lauryn’s mental health and nearly all of her relationships at such a young age. The documentary weaves in perspectives from Owen, school officials and the FBI liaison who helped uncover the truth. This gives viewers a wide-angle view of the investigation and fallout. 

One of the most striking choices Netflix made was to incorporate police bodycam footage from the moment Lauryn was told her mother was behind the anonymous messages. That moment, which was both raw and heartbreaking, aligns with the events documented in legal filings and local reporting. Because the documentary sticks with verified facts and firsthand accounts, the story feels gripping and authentic. 

Where are the subjects of ‘High School Catfish’ now?

The case’s aftermath has left each of the central figures on very different paths. Lauryn, the central teenage victim of harassment, has understandably chosen to remain pretty private in the years after the ordeal. With so much of her personal and familial life exposed to the public, this withdrawal makes a lot of sense. The Netflix documentary offers a glimpse into her perspective on what happened and her recovery since. 

She is now 18 and seeing things in a new perspective according to director Skye Borgman. At the beginning of filming in 2023, “She just wanted her mom back in her life”, but more recently has “wanted to approach the relationship with more caution.” Similarly, Owen, her boyfriend at the time, has stepped away from the spotlight. As Time reports, the two broke up after around a two-year relationship, partially in response to the harassment.

Is Kendra Licari still married?

The most dramatic updates concern Kendra Licari herself, as Netflix shares. In December 2022, she was arrested after police traced the messages back to her devices. She then eventually pleaded guilty to charges of stalking a minor and using a computer to commit a crime. Licari was sentenced to serve between 19 months and five years in prison. According to Netflix’s coverage, she was officially released on Aug. 8, 2024, just under two years after her sentencing. Yet, she still is not off the hook. As Decider reports, she will be on parole until August 2026 and currently lives in Pontiac, a Detroit suburb. 

At the time of her release, Kendra reportedly expressed a desire to rebuild her relationship with Lauryn. Although the possibility of that reconciliation remains unclear. The other subjects involved, such as school officials, Lauryn’s peers and the FBI liaison continue their professional and personal lives as usual. But their involvement with the story really emphasizes how communities are often forced to pick up the pieces after cases like this.  

According to Elle Australia, at the time of Kendra’s arrest, she and her husband, Shawn Licari, were already separated. So their relationship status during the December 2022 arrest is a good indicator of their current dynamic. In the documentary, Shawn shares that he and Kendra were living apart and had gone through a strained relationship. Added pressures like financial trouble and unpaid bills didn’t help their case. And to make matters worse, Kendra had lied to her husband about quitting her university IT job when she was actually fired. 

Eventually, he gained full custody of Lauryn. They have since focused on building a life away from Kendra’s influence. While there is not a publicly documented divorce decree, their separation and Shawn’s full custody of Lauryn suggest that he no longer considers himself to be in a marital relationship with Kendra. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is reverse catfishing?

As Vice shares, reverse catfishing is basically the opposite of traditional catfishing. It is when someone presents themselves online in a way that decenters and downplays their looks. This phenomenon is becoming popular on dating apps. It is a way to get matches that are more interested in an emotional connection. Ultimately, reverse catfishing is a way to avoid creating an idealized version of yourself. 

What to do when someone is catfishing you?

If you suspect you’re being catfished, the best thing you can do is to stop engaging with the person. If you’ve already tried to verify their identity via video calls (or even mutual contacts), then you can save messages as evidence. Next, you can report their account to the platform (dating app or social media for example). But in more serious cases, which involve harassment or threats, it is wise to get in contact with local authorities.