Classmates dubbed Lauryn Licari and Owen McKenny the “Golden Couple,” and their adolescent romance started as the kind of tale small towns love. But when Netflix’s Unknown Number: The High School Catfish came out, it became clear how viciously their lives had been upended by a secret tormentor who was later identified as Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari. Lauryn and Owen’s relationship was built on innocence but was put to the test by unspeakable treachery, which makes the question of whether they are still together relevant.
Table: Lauryn Licari & Owen McKenny – Bio and Key Information
| Field | Lauryn Licari | Owen McKenny |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Lauryn Licari | Owen McKenny |
| Birthplace | Beal City, Michigan, USA | Beal City, Michigan, USA |
| Known For | Victim of cyberbullying by her mother, Kendra Licari; subject of Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish | Victim of cyberbullying; Lauryn’s boyfriend during events; subject of Netflix documentary Unknown Number |
| Relationship | Began dating Owen in 7th grade, broke up in high school after cyberbullying took toll | Began dating Lauryn in 7th grade, ended relationship after prolonged harassment |
| Current Status | Living with father, rebuilding life post-scandal | College student-athlete at Hope College, continuing education and sports |
| Family | Daughter of Kendra Licari and Shawn Licari | Son of Jill and Dave McKenny |
| Reference | People.com – https://people.com | People.com – https://people.com |
In 2020, when the anonymous texts started, Owen was just thirteen. A daily barrage of 40 to 50 hostile messages, each remarkably specific and eerily reminiscent of internal conversations, swiftly increased from what initially appeared to be small-scale antics. Lauryn found the paranoia oppressive, and Owen acknowledged that he frequently dreaded going to school. Their relationship was tainted by suspicion, and the cruelty was remarkably successful in separating them from their peers.
By the time the FBI was able to link the messages to Kendra, the teens’ mutual trust had already been destroyed. Several texts made fun of Lauryn’s fears and persuaded Owen that a breakup might stop the abuse, while others questioned Owen’s loyalty and made Lauryn doubt him. They ended their relationship in November 2021 because they were both worn out from their cycle of reconciliation and retreat. For a couple who were once thought to be inseparable, the breakup was heartbreaking, but not surprising considering the constant pressure.
Owen subsequently acknowledged, with remarkable clarity, that he hoped the breakup would make the stalker stop. The texts went on instead, even mocking their separation. It served as a harsh reminder that their relationship had never been the real target—rather, it was the means by which authority was imposed. This dynamic is disturbingly similar to how public personalities like Britney Spears or Meghan Markle have witnessed their private relationships manipulated under intense external scrutiny, serving as a reminder that even the strongest bonds can break down when privacy is violated.
In the Netflix documentary, Lauryn talked about her mixed feelings regarding her mother’s treachery. She talked candidly about how the loss of that maternal connection still hurt, and she was heartbroken but also yearned for reconciliation. After her father, Shawn, became her pillar of support, their relationship significantly improved, which was especially helpful in assisting her in regaining stability. It was a different road for Owen. He opted for distance, finding comfort in learning and athletics. His role as a baseball recruit and acceptance to Hope College demonstrated how highly effective resilience and ambition can be in redefining identity following trauma.
The public’s obsession with finding out if Lauryn and Owen are still together reflects a desire for resolution. For the same reason that viewers were curious about Anna Delvey’s friendships after Inventing Anna, true-crime stories frequently pique viewers’ interest in what happens after the credits pass. However, Lauryn and Owen’s reality was not predetermined to be satisfactory. Today, they are not together, and they no longer communicate. Lauryn admitted that the experience made it almost impossible to maintain their relationship, and Owen freely admitted that he still feels anger and confusion.
Their split, however, shouldn’t be interpreted as a failure. Instead, it illustrates how separation can occasionally be necessary for survival. Lauryn had to carefully reinterpret her familial relationships in order to survive. For Owen, surviving meant focusing his energies on sports and planning for the future. The idea that healing is never singular—rather, it is diverse, highly personal, and frequently nonlinear—was highlighted by the remarkable effectiveness of both approaches.
Their story is compelling not only because of the betrayal but also because it offers a wider commentary on digital life. Teenagers were forced to spend more time online during the pandemic, where technology made it harder to distinguish between exposure and intimacy. The experience of Lauryn and Owen brought to light the vulnerability of youth when trust is eroded by screens. Their narrative continues to be a particularly creative way to start discussions about cyberbullying, parental supervision, and the importance of parents and kids having open lines of communication about technology.
A friend who was falsely suspected during the investigation, Khloe Wilson, reminded viewers that in situations like these, collateral damage is unavoidable. Her experience of being alienated at school was similar to that of many other teenagers who were wrongfully accused in the era of online rumors. The fact that cyber abuse rarely occurs in isolation but instead destabilizes entire communities is highlighted by this secondary layer of victimization.
Commentary in recent days has centered on whether Lauryn and her mother will ever get back together. Others emphasize boundaries as crucial to her development, while others contend forgiveness may be surprisingly helpful. Lauryn acknowledged that, although cautiously, she wants to get back in touch. As two individuals who have experienced the same trauma can follow different but equally legitimate paths, Owen, on the other hand, views closure as distance.
