Bride-to-be Jennifer Wilbanks Found Alive(Latest as of 09:30AM ET on the Bimbo Alert)

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution ^ | 04/30/05 | Staff and wire reports

[kellynla]

Duluth bride-to-be who vanished just days before her wedding turned up in New Mexico and fabricated a tale of abduction before admitting Saturday that she had gotten cold feet and "needed some time alone," police said.

Jennifer Wilbanks, 32, was in police custody more than 1,420 miles from her home on what was supposed to be her wedding day.

"It turns out that Miss Wilbanks basically felt the pressure of this large wedding and could not handle it," said Duluth Police Chief Randy Belcher. He said there would be no criminal charges.

Wilbanks, whose disappearance set off a nationwide hunt, called her fiance, John Mason, from a pay phone early Saturday and told him that she had been kidnapped while jogging three days before, authorities said. Her family rejoiced that she was safe, telling reporters that the media coverage apparently got to the kidnappers.

But Wilbanks soon recanted, according to police.

Ray Schultz, chief of police in Albuquerque, said Wilbanks "had become scared and concerned about her impending marriage and decided she needed some time alone." He said she traveled to Las Vegas by bus before going to Albuquerque.

"She's obviously very concerned about the stress that she's been through, the stress that's been placed on her family," he said. "She is very upset."

The scene at the house Wilbanks shared with Mason went from jubilant, with Mason hopping from one TV interview to the next and joking about meeting Sean Hannity, to more subdued.

Everyone but immediate family was told to leave the house, and the blinds were drawn and the front door closed. Police put up crime scene tape to keep people away.

"Having cold feet is a joy compared to what the alternative might have been," friend Melinda Larson, who had planned to attend the wedding...

[kellynla]

What this brat put her fiance through is unforgivable!

[peteram]

Yesterday afternoon on Studio B, when Shepard Smith described the size of the wedding I thought "BINGO!" That was it! It got too big and out of control for her to handle, so I knew she wasn't abducted. The news this morning confirms that.

Now what I want to know is - Who's idea was it to plan such a big party in the first place?

[Cagey]

Hahahahahaha!!!

[Aggie Mama]

That was my thought too. I'm glad that she's alive, but the pain that she's caused her family and fiancee will take a long time to forgive.

[kellynla]

"I read that she's a nurse-how will this affect her career or even her employability?"

I wouldn't let her empty out bedpans!

[Allosaurs_r_us]

You've got to be kiddin' me!

 

What in the world is going on with these girls having to be the "Victim"? Every acquaintance on earth that knew this girl swears she wouldn't do this.

 

What do ya mean no charges. Okay, but she needs to pay back all of the money this country wasted trying to find this spoiled little "______" (fill in blank with your favorite 4 letter word, mine starts with "C")

 

I recommend we file suite on behalf of the American People! If I was this "____'s" fiancé, I would drop her like a rock. Preferably in the nearest cow pie, face down!

[madprof98]

I keep waiting for somebody to notice that these people are clueless, witless Yuppies. The Unhappy Couple had evidently known one another for about a year, were already shacking up in a love nest right out of Crate & Barrel, and were about to undergo a vulgar spectacle of a wedding to please their status-conscious families. I suppose it is to the bride's credit that she just ran away from all that, but it looks as if she recognizes no other possibilities in life.

[SouthernFreebird]

Yes, she should be charged and punished, but remember, "but for the grace of God, there go I".

No I don't think so. Not many people would put their family and community thru such hell and put their husband to be under suspicion of murder in the eyes of his community because she had cold feet. She spoiled and thinks only of herself. That man should thank his lucky stars he's not getting married to her today. He just dodged a bullet.

[samtheman]

I'm sure the city and state will like to recover their costs for the search.

Auction the wedding presents.

[MizSterious]

I wonder how long it will be until the almost-bride files a lawsuit against the almost-groom for all the grief and humiliation he caused her? (Yeah, I know, SHE is the cause of all this, but that might not stop her.)

[Xenalyte]

Okay, we will grant you that you are absolutely correct that Mr. Mason had no hand in this.

How do you explain Miss Wilbanks doing this? And do you agree that she should pay for the costs of the search?

[kellynla]

To hell with the party and the wedding...this bimbo should have been an ADULT for pete sakes and canceled the wedding instead of putting everyone involved through hell and costing the cities and state of GA THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!

[lillybet]

She nothing but an attention seeker, next thing she do is write a book. about her so called Cold Feet Attack.

[Mike Darancette]

FNC should send her a check for providing a story for a week.

[Sunshine55]

Make her walk home!!!! Then make her pay for alll the costs involved in searching for her sorry @ss. Then make her pay the parents and John Mason back for every last dime of the wedding, because God knows she will never be able to make up to them the pain and anguish she has caused them.

[hflynn]

When Jennifer Wilbanks purchased her bus ticket didn't know he became the luckiest man in America.

Now we can wait and see if the luckiest man in America becomes the dumbest man in America.

[spectre]

Make her pay for John's lawyer as well.

[hflynn]

When Jennifer Wilbanks purchased her bus ticket John Mason didn't know he became the luckiest man in America.

Now we can wait and see if the luckiest man in America becomes the dumbest man in America.

[Puppage]

and were about to undergo a vulgar spectacle of a wedding to please their status-conscious families

That's total speculation on your part.

[Inge_CAV]

Now you done gone and caused us a heap of trouble, little girl!