Morbid Podcast – September Bonus Episode: Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Hosts: Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Date: September 12, 2025
Platform: SiriusXM Podcasts+

Episode Overview

This special bonus episode is a deep-dive discussion and dissection of the documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, a recent Netflix release focused on a harrowing catfishing and psychological abuse incident in a small Michigan town. Ash and Alaina bring their signature blend of dark humor and insight to unpack the twists, emotional trauma, and far-reaching impact of the case—one that revolves around years of anonymous, abusive texting targeting two teenagers…and an unthinkable perpetrator.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Beale City, Michigan and the Players (03:58–05:51)

• Beale City is a small, close-knit community where “everyone knows everyone,” fostering both support and the potential for insularity.
• The central figures are Lauren and Owen, childhood sweethearts whose families are intertwined—moms Jill (Owen’s) and Kendra (Lauren’s) are close friends.
• The school includes all grades (pre-K to 12) in one building—“Wily to me. Horrifying.” – Alaina (04:40)

2. The Harassment Begins: Creepy Text Messages (06:15–12:46)

• In 2020, the harassment starts: Lauren receives a text suggesting Owen doesn’t like her, and both are “DTF” (down to fuck) [06:15].
  • Shocking due to the kids’ young age—“Nobody’s DTF at 12.” – Alaina (07:23)
• The texts escalate in both frequency and cruelty, including relentless body shaming and deeply personal attacks:
  • Notable Quote: “Don’t wear effin leggings. No one wants to see your anorexic ass like that.” (08:37)
  • Alaina and Ashe reflect on body image issues and the widespread problem of girls growing up hyper-aware and critical of themselves.
  • “Young girls so early, learn to be their biggest critics…then they grow up immediately becoming critics of each other.” – Ashe (09:41)
• The abuse covers over 20 months, with brief lulls, and grows increasingly virulent and sexual.

3. The Toll on Teenagers (12:10–16:46)

• Messages tell Lauren she’s “worthless,” “mean nothing,” and to kill herself.
• The harasser (or harassers?) appear to have intimate inside knowledge—referencing sports performance, outfits, and real-time activities.
• Parents and school officials, including the superintendent and principal, attempt to intervene through surveillance and investigation but are limited in their success.
• The school community begins to fracture as suspicion breeds paranoia and isolation.

4. False Leads and Accusations (28:18–34:37)

• When abusive texts reference Chloe Wilson’s basketball score, suspicion shifts to Chloe (perceived as a bully with cop connections via her father).
• Chloe’s privacy is invaded as her phone is “dubbed” (forensically examined), but she is cleared—“Kudos to them, because that’s such an invasion of privacy.” – Ashe (31:23)

5. Family Fallout & Widening Trauma (33:00–41:24)

• The investigation next targets Owen’s cousin Adriana, who, despite being exonerated, is left traumatized (“has PTSD now”).
• Family dynamics in Lauren’s household deteriorate under the strain—parents Kendra and Sean argue, Lauren sobs daily, and her self-esteem is devastated.
• Both hosts connect personally to the experience of bullying and the long-term effects it can have, especially during the formative years.

6. The Big Reveal: The Mother as the Catfish (42:55–46:12)

• After a long investigation involving the FBI and data warrants, the true perpetrator is unmasked: Lauren’s own mother, Kendra.

• Notable “Holy Shit” Moment:

  • “For a year and a half, these text messages were coming from Lauren’s mother, Kendra.” – Ashe (43:19)

• The reaction is pure shock and disbelief from everyone, including law enforcement and the family:

  • “A mom could never do that to their child.” – Alaina (43:56)

• Bodycam footage reveals Kendra barely tries to deny her involvement, showing chilling calm: “No, nothing like that.” (45:04)

• The hosts are appalled by her demeanor and the monstrousness of the betrayal:

  • “That is the mindf*** of the century.” – Alaina (61:31)
  • “She should be on a list, in my opinion.” – Ashe (47:49)

• The emotional and psychological fallout is severe, especially for Lauren, who is seen dissociating and unable to process the revelation in the moment.

7. Patterns of Abuse and Aftermath (51:34–67:15)

• Kendra had spent much of the harassment period unemployed, lying to her husband, and devoting herself to the campaign of abuse.
• She even lied about having a job, causing the family financial damage [63:36].
• The nature of the messages—sexually explicit, deeply degrading, and obsessive—leads both hosts to question whether Kendra was also infatuated with Owen (“allegedly, in my opinion” – Alaina, 73:23).
  • Documented: explicit texts, doctored photos, physical stalking.
• The hosts argue the documentary did not fully address the level of sexual harassment inflicted on Owen by Kendra.
• There’s debate about whether Kendra’s motive was simply “digital Munchausen’s” or something even darker.
• Legally, Kendra receives a sentence of only 19 months—less time than the abuse lasted—much to the hosts’ disgust.

8. Reflection on Healing, Victim Impact, and Systemic Failure (70:51–74:11)

• Lauren, now in her father’s custody, is remarkable for her resilience and kindness.
• The hosts highlight how both Lauren and Owen will live with the scars of this abuse for years, and criticize the lack of adequate legal consequences for Kendra—especially relating to sexual misconduct.
• Quote from Owen’s victim statement: “You might move on, but I won’t.” (72:44)
• Final comments praise Lauren and Owen’s courage and hope they’re on a better path—while saving no sympathy for Kendra.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 07:23 | Alaina | “Nobody’s DTF at 12. Nobody should be saying DTF at 12.” | | 09:41 | Ashe | “Young girls so early, learn to be their biggest critics…then they grow up immediately becoming critics of each other.” | | 20:22 | Alaina | “If they’re only telling their close friends who those numbers are and you’re approving them, boom, you’re in. It’s gotta be one of the close friends.” | | 28:36 | Alaina | “She had somewhat of a reputation for being a bully at the school…” | | 31:38 | Alaina | “One of the main things you should be teaching your kid is that their privacy...they have a right to privacy.” | | 43:19 | Ashe | “For a year and a half, these text messages were coming from Lauren’s mother, Kendra.” | | 47:49 | Ashe | “She should be on a list, in my opinion.” | | 61:31 | Alaina | “That is the mindf*** of the century.” | | 72:44 | Alaina (quoting Owen) | “You might move on, but I won’t.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:58 – 05:51 – Introduction to Beale City & the key families
• 06:15 – 12:46 – Onset & escalation of anonymous text harassment
• 15:00 – 16:46 – Nature & severity of sexualized messages
• 28:18 – 34:37 – Community suspicion: Chloe and Adriana accused
• 42:55 – 46:12 – The reveal: Kendra, Lauren’s own mom, is the perpetrator
• 51:34 – 67:15 – Aftermath: family fallout, Kendra’s lies, and legal consequences
• 70:51 – End – Reflections, victim impact, and cultural commentary

Structural Notes

• Ash and Alaina’s blend of sensitivity and irreverence brings difficult topics to light without minimizing their seriousness.
• The episode offers both a chronological recap and raw emotional analysis—especially the personal and systemic failures evident in the case.
• The hosts revisit their own experiences with bullying, giving the episode an empathetic and conversational tone.

Takeaways for the Uninitiated

• Unknown Number: The High School Catfish documents a nearly two-year campaign of harassment against teens Lauren and Owen, which devastates a community and destroys relationships—while the perpetrator turns out to be Lauren’s own mother, hiding behind layers of deception, technology, and psychological projection.
• Ash and Alaina use humor, outrage, and empathy to process the impact—not just as a true crime tale, but as a cautionary story about digital abuse, parental betrayal, and the lingering effects of trauma on young people.

Final Thoughts

• The hosts predict more coverage of the case in popular media, referencing both a Lifetime adaptation (Mommy Meanest) and TikTok virality.
• They reiterate their admiration for the victims’ resilience: “I hope everyone else is thriving and doing well and healing in this story, except for Kendra. I don’t give a f*** about Kendra.” – Alaina (74:35)

For listeners seeking a cathartic, thought-provoking review of a modern cautionary tale, this bonus episode is both a sensitive and searing analysis, filled with memorable moments, honest reflection, and the hosts’ inimitable weirdness.