Billings Student Who Stabbed Teacher Crush Identified as Kaylie Wirkman Lear, Born Logan Wallace Lear, Records Show

A Billings Senior High School student accused of stabbing a math teacher she allegedly had a crush on was born male, according to court records that have circulated online following the January incident.

The student, identified as Kaylie Wirkman Lear, 18, was born Logan Wallace Lear, according to legal documents showing a court application for a minor name change filed on January 16, 2024, just days after the stabbing.

The incident occurred on January 13, when Lear allegedly attacked Jason Rader, a 34‑year‑old math teacher, before turning the knife on herself. Both Lear and Rader survived and were hospitalized with what authorities described as non‑life‑threatening injuries. Sources familiar with the case say Lear allegedly stabbed herself in the neck during the episode.

Social media users were the first to publicly connect Lear’s current identity to her birth name, citing the court filing and prior records. The revelations sparked widespread online debate and speculation about the circumstances leading up to the stabbing, including claims — not confirmed by authorities — that Lear and the teacher may have had an inappropriate relationship.

Unverified posts circulating online allege the stabbing occurred during an after‑school tutoring session and claim the teacher attempted to end contact with the student due to his marriage. No law enforcement agency or school official has confirmed those assertions.

Billings school officials have declined to comment, citing an internal investigation, while the Billings Police Department has not announced whether charges will be filed against the student. Authorities have also not addressed whether school administrators were aware of any prior relationship or concerns involving the student and teacher.

Both Lear and Rader are continuing to recover.

As of publication, investigators have released few additional details, and the case remains under review.