Posted on 04/30/2005 6:35:35 AM PDT by 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...
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
I think Kelly is right. The woman really screwed the pooch on this one.
You are correct. They quickly took down the graphic after the profiler told the reporterette she was not a psychologist.
If I was the groom to be I'd sue Julia Roberts for pissing me off in general.
I saw that this morning, but had to leave and couldn't post right away. That reporter didn't know what hit her. The forensic profiler was right on. Wilbanks is a narcissist, her actions were harmful to the community and to her fiance, and she should be made to pay for the search.
It was great tv, even if it was CNN.
I read about polygraphs recently.
The whole thing is simply theater intended to make stupid people panic and confess.
I don't think for a second that one foolish chick will spoil police resolve on future abductions. One idiot does not balance out the 50 or so cut up corpses they have to see in their career.
This whole story has got all the makings of an excellent Country and Western song.
LOL, first time I've heard it called that.
LOL! Good for you.
I'm betting the family, and her fiance, will embrace her, grateful their worst fears were not realized. And, I'll bet they will be far more compassionate than you.
Jen has some serious problems to work through. If no one saw this coming, Jen has some serious problems communicating her feelings. And that is an issue best worked out before the wedding.
From what I've heard about the fiance from those on FR who know him, he sounds like a good guy. If they love each other, they will work through this, and get married. Although, perhaps they should consider elopement!
Well Laz, there's another one available for you.
Sorry, I'm already taken. Seriously, you're not happy really upset she's alive, are you?
I saw that too. The profiler was great. The anchorette kept trying to gain some sympathy for Jennifer, but the profiler would have none of it! Pretty rare these days.
That "jerk" poster sure has a problem with the groom. Sounds like someone scorned.
What is this, "it," to which you refer?
Yep, she did. She's definitely in need of some couch time.
You're probably right. I like what someone said earlier. A wedding does not make a marriage. I believe that a marriage is made in heaven. If our heart is not in the vows then they mean nothing.
No, I wouldn't say that.
Even if I knew what that meant.
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