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 she should spanked in public.
ought to be charged, especially now that it's known she bought the bus ticket in advance...
She should be both billed for the cost of the search, and institutionalized for the next 6-12 months, where she can spend her days weaving baskets, finger painting, and reflecting on her actions.
If not charged with a crime, at least with the costs of the search.
And to put her family, friends and her fiance through HELL is OUTRAGEOUS! How selfish! She should be fined and made to do community service for at least a year!!! GROW UP!
I thought that this case smelled fishy from the get go and suspected the "cold feet" made her run. My guess is she finally saw her mother crying on the shoulders of her fiance and made her realize what she was doing. "*itch" The fiance I suppose, should now be the one running.
"Cold feet" is another way of saying she doesn't love the guy enough to marry him, he's been rejected. I get the feeling him and his family are the controlling types.
What a selfish self centered spoiled brat. What she put her family and husband to be thru is unforgiveable.
I certainly hope she gets sued for every penny it costs in the investigation of her being missing even down to the costs of the polygraph that poor man had to take.
I wouldn't marry the infantile brat on a bet!
Mason would be a fool to marry such an unstable woman. In fact, I would think she needs to get used to the idea of being an old spinster.....
When I first saw that photo, even before you altered it, I thought that she looked nuts. I'm sure we will be learning more about the woman in the next few days but I wonder if she has a history of drug use.
Mason had become a target of suspicion and agreed to a private polygraph test, which Wilbanks' family said he passed. He had been negotiating with authorities for another test.
"That's been the hardest part for me," Mason said after Wilbanks called from Albuquerque. "It gives you a feeling like you can't walk outside your home."
This twit should be charged for all the emotional grief she caused her family and definetly be charged for the search team put in place to find her. What a freakin' spineless, gutless twit. I have zero sympathy for her, she's need counseling.
"What a selfish self centered spoiled brat. What she put her family and husband to be thru is unforgiveable.
I certainly hope she gets sued for every penny it costs in the investigation of her being missing even down to the costs of the polygraph that poor man had to take."
I couldn't agree more...
Only problem is, does she have a dime of her own?
Can the immature brat even hold down a job? LOL
Thank God that our prayers were not in vain; I'll take a mental breakdown over a murder any day! Yes, she should be charged and punished, but remember, "but for the grace of God, there go I".
Anyone here a nurse or other HCP? I read that she's a nurse-how will this affect her career or even her employability?
Interesting graphics! Cruel, but interesting...
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