Unknown Number Netflix: Plot & High School Catfish Story

A shocking case in Beal City, Michigan reveals that a teenage girl and her boyfriend became targets of vicious anonymous texts for over a year—only to discover the culprit was her own mother. Skye Borgman directed the Netflix documentary that tells this disturbing true story.

Director: Skye Borgman · Release Date: August 29, 2025 · Platform: Netflix · Main Subjects: Lauryn Licari, Owen McKenny · Genre: True Crime

What’s the Unknown Number about on Netflix?

The documentary opens on what appears to be an ordinary high school relationship in Beal City, Michigan. Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny were described as the “golden couple” of Beal City High School (Remote Reality Podcast), popular and well-known in the small town where everyone knows each other. Their lives took a terrifying turn when anonymous texts began arriving—messages that were threatening, insulting, and targeted Lauryn’s appearance while expressing inappropriate sexual interest in Owen.

Skye Borgman, the director, structured the film to build tension as viewers watch the investigation unfold. The messages accused Owen of cheating, made crude observations about Lauryn’s looks, and grew increasingly hostile over time (Wikipedia). The documentary includes interviews with all parties—victims, families, and notably the perpetrator herself—giving viewers unprecedented access to every perspective in this disturbing case.

Key themes of cyberbullying

The documentary treats cyberbullying not as a teenage drama but as a serious crime with lasting psychological effects. Messages described as “cruel, disgusting, and causing safety concerns” (Heaven of Horror) created an atmosphere of paranoia throughout the community. Parents, school staff, and other adults became swept up in the investigation as suspicion spread through the tight-knit town.

What is the Netflix show about the unknown caller?

The relentless cyberbullying campaign targeted Lauryn and Owen starting in October 2020. The anonymous caller used the Pinger app to mask their phone number, sending messages that attacked Lauryn’s appearance and expressed sexual interest in Owen (Remote Reality Podcast). After a brief pause, the harassment resumed in September 2021 and continued for over 15 months.

A teenage girl and her boyfriend are viciously cyberbullied by an unknown phone number for months. But as the investigation into the harassment unfolds, the authorities uncover a shocking secret that upends everything anyone thought they knew about the case.

— Heaven of Horror Review

The anonymous texts story

The investigation involved the Isabella County Sheriff, Beal City police, and eventually the FBI as authorities worked to trace the source of the anonymous messages (Wikipedia). IP tracing eventually revealed the culprit’s identity—a revelation that shocked the entire community. Police investigators later emphasized why such cases should remain confidential during active probes, noting how early speculation had complicated their work.

Can you watch Unknown Number on Netflix?

Yes, the documentary is available exclusively on Netflix. It premiered on August 29, 2025, and viewers can stream it through the platform’s official library (Heaven of Horror). The film joins Netflix’s growing collection of true crime documentaries examining real cases involving technology-enabled crimes.

Streaming details

Netflix subscribers can access the documentary through their standard streaming subscription with no additional pay-per-view charges. The platform’s recommendation algorithm often surfaces the film alongside similar true crime titles examining cyberbullying cases and small-town crime stories. For those exploring similar content, check out the best shows on Netflix curated by platform type.

What is the plot of Unknown Number Netflix?

The documentary’s central twist arrives when IP tracing identifies the anonymous texter as Kendra Licari—Lauryn’s own mother. This revelation transforms the film from a standard cyberbullying investigation into a disturbing case of parental stalking and psychological abuse (Heaven of Horror). The mother’s motivations, explored through her documentary interview, reveal a pattern of jealousy and control that escalated beyond what investigators initially suspected.

Timeline of events

The timeline reveals how the harassment persisted for over 15 months before investigation techniques finally broke through the anonymous masking that shielded the perpetrator.

Key revelations

The film reveals that harassment stopped only after Kendra was identified and confronted by authorities. Following her identification, the case proceeded to trial, where legal consequences included a no-contact order and parole terms that restricted her contact with Lauryn (Remote Reality Podcast). The documentary examines the legal aspects of stalking, parental accountability, and the criminal justice system’s response to technology-enabled family abuse.

Who is involved in Unknown Number Netflix?

Lauryn Licari serves as the primary subject, a teenager whose life was upended by months of anonymous harassment before authorities uncovered the true source. Owen McKenny, Lauryn’s boyfriend, shared the targeting and found himself caught between defending his relationship and enduring the harassment’s sexual overtones. Kendra Licari, Lauryn’s mother, becomes the documentary’s most shocking figure—not only as perpetrator but as someone who sat across from her daughter at the family dinner table while sending cruel anonymous texts.

Main people

• Lauryn Licari — Primary victim; subject of documentary interviews
• Owen McKenny — Secondary victim and Lauryn’s boyfriend at the time
• Kendra Licari — Perpetrator; Lauryn’s mother
• Skye Borgman — Documentary director
• Isabella County Sheriff and FBI — Lead investigators

Current status

Lauryn’s current location and life circumstances are not publicly disclosed following the trial. The documentary’s release has prompted renewed discussion about parental accountability in cyberbullying cases, with viewers debating whether current legal frameworks adequately address family-based digital abuse.

The case timeline: From first texts to documentary

Four distinct phases mark this case’s progression. First came the initial harassment beginning in October 2020, when threatening messages started arriving on Lauryn’s phone. Second, a lull period briefly raised hopes that the messages had stopped. Third, the September 2021 resumption brought intensified attacks that extended over 15 months. Fourth, the investigation phase involved law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions working to trace the anonymous number’s origin.

It turns out the cyberbully in Unknown Number is none other than the mother of Lauryn.

— Remote Reality Podcast recap

The investigation’s conclusion brought the case into public view through Kendra’s trial, where she faced charges related to stalking and harassment. Post-trial restrictions included parole terms and a no-contact order preventing direct communication with Lauryn. The documentary chronicles these legal proceedings while examining their broader implications for how courts handle technology-enabled family crimes.

What the documentary reveals about cyberbullying accountability

The film positions this case as illustrative of broader questions about parental responsibility in the digital age. When a parent uses technology to stalk their own child, the legal system must navigate charges that blend domestic abuse, stalking, and technology-facilitated crime. Kendra’s trial resulted in convictions that included stalking charges, with the documentary examining how parole terms were structured to protect victims while allowing for legal due process.

The investigation emphasized the psychological impact on both Lauryn and Owen, with authorities documenting how sustained harassment affected their safety perceptions and mental health (Wikipedia). The small-town setting amplified these effects, creating paranoia where neighbors became suspects and community trust eroded.

Where the case stands now

Kendra Licari continues under court-ordered restrictions following her trial conviction. The no-contact order remains in effect, preventing her from communicating with Lauryn without authorization. The documentary makes clear that while the harassment itself has stopped, the emotional aftermath continues for both victims as they process what family betrayal looks like in the age of anonymous communication.

Frequently asked questions

For viewers interested in true crime documentaries exploring how technology enables new forms of family abuse, this film offers a disturbing case study that challenges assumptions about who poses risks to teenagers in the digital age.