Unknown Number: The High School Catfish — Unraveling Kendra Licari’s Motives
September 5, 2025
There’s an enduring question surrounding Unknown Number: The High School Catfish: why did Kendra Licari orchestrate such a disturbing cyberbullying campaign? While the full answer may never be clear, an insightful article by The Cut offers critical context that sheds light on the case. Warning: this content may be distressing for some readers.
Since premiering on Netflix on August 29, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish has ignited widespread discussion, delving into a true crime story that originated in Beal City, Michigan, in October 2020. The case involves 13-year-old Lauryn Licari (whose name was changed to Lauryn in the doc), her boyfriend Owen McKenney, and a sinister online harassment scheme.
The Case: Cyberstalking and Uncovering the Truth
Lauryn and Owen became targets of an anonymous cyberstalker. Over time, the messages escalated from mean comments about Lauryn’s appearance to sexual threats and suicide encouragement. Law enforcement eventually involved the FBI, and shocking discoveries emerged: the sender of the messages was Lauryn’s mother, Kendra Licari.
The Cut’s Deep Dive into Kendra’s Motives
In an article published on January 15, 2025—months before the Netflix documentary's release—The Cut provided an in-depth analysis of the case. Many viewers who had already read the piece were stunned to see Kendra participating in the Netflix series, especially being interviewed on camera.
The Cut offers vital insights into Kendra’s behavior and the circumstances surrounding her actions. According to the article, Lauryn’s friends described her as the “cool mom,” someone who enjoyed gossiping with students, dancing to Sir Mix-a-Lot, and even doing cartwheels at tournaments. But as Lauryn’s social profile grew, so did Kendra’s notoriety among parents, who found her bragging about Lauryn’s achievements—sometimes to the point of irritation.
Kendra’s Over-Involvement and Suspicious Conduct
Kendra was heavily involved when Lauryn started dating Owen. Jill McKenney, Owen’s mother, recounted that Kendra spoke as if Owen and Lauryn would be together forever. Friends like Paige Antcliff recall Kendra taking control of Lauryn’s phone, writing “I love you” to Owen. During the pandemic, the families formed a “bubble,” with Owen noting Kendra became “like a second mom”—though, in hindsight, there are troubling signs she was overly attached to Owen.
As cyberbullying intensified, Kendra’s behavior grew increasingly strange. The article notes that she approached high school coaches, warning about the texts and their potential to distract Lauryn from her sports. She also sought support from other parents and even texted the Antcliff twins to leave class and comfort Lauryn during emotional moments. Despite attempts from others to offer solutions, Kendra remained fixated on the issue.
Growing Doubts and the Unmasking
Initially, Jill stood by her friend, but even she eventually questioned Kendra’s actions, especially as her curiosity about Owen’s relationships seemed obsessive. Once it was revealed that Kendra orchestrated the bullying, theories about her motives emerged: keeping her daughter close, eliminating perceived threats, and maintaining social standing.
Theories Behind Kendra’s Actions
Many believe Kendra’s behavior stemmed from a complex mix of motives. Some speculate she might have been driven by a form of Munchausen’s by proxy—a rare psychological disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care to gain attention or control. Others suggest her actions were a desperate attempt to distract from mounting financial problems.
Financial Struggles and Hidden Troubles
The Cut details that Kendra’s employment history was troubled. She was fired from Central Michigan University in 2019 for poor performance. Her subsequent job at Ferris State University did not offer a significant pay increase, and she faced lawsuits for unpaid bills. The family’s house was foreclosed, and Kendra falsely claimed to Lauryn and Shawn that she had sold it.
By spring 2021, she faced warnings at work, eventually quitting and then faking work-from-home routines as her financial situation worsened. In April 2022, just before being caught, the family was evicted from their home, with Kendra again lying to Lauryn and Shawn about repairs being the reason for their move.
Denial and the Ongoing Mystery
Kendra claims she never started the text messages and insists she joined the scheme later. However, those involved believe she was the mastermind from the outset. The Cut suggests that her underlying motives might have been to keep her daughter close, garner sympathy, uphold her social image, and divert attention from her financial issues.
Public Reaction and Viewer Insights
Since the Netflix release, viewers have taken to social media to express their reactions. Many shared the Cut article on platforms like Reddit, praising its detailed exploration. Comments ranged from sympathizing with Lauryn’s trauma to astonishment over Kendra’s participation in the documentary.
Some viewers commented on how their perception of the involved father changed after seeing police body cam footage, appreciating his composure and honesty. Others noted that the article and the documentary complement each other by providing different perspectives—one emotional, the other investigative.
The Ongoing Puzzle
While many theories exist, the consensus is that Kendra’s actions stemmed from complex psychological and situational factors. The Cut concludes that, regardless of how the cyberbullying began, Kendra’s involvement seemed driven by a need to control, protect her family’s reputation, and mask her financial struggles.
Streaming Now and Further Reading
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish is now available on Netflix. For more insights into similar true crime stories, explore articles about the Jussie Smollett hoax, Amanda Knox’s legal battle, and the upcoming Monster: The Ed Gein Story.
[Note: All names and details have been modified for privacy and sensitivity.]