Runaway Bride Arrives Home In Georgia
Wilbanks Says She Got Cold Feet
UPDATED: 9:15 pm CDT May 1, 2005DULUTH, Ga. --The missing Georgia bride-to-be who turned up outside a convenience store in New Mexico arrived back in Atlanta Saturday night.Jennifer Wilbanks landed at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport about 9 p.m. EDT after a flight from Albuquerque.She had been missing since Tuesday night when she told her fiance she was going for her routine jog. She got back Saturday night, hours after her scheduled wedding.Wilbanks initially told authorities in New Mexico she had been kidnapped, but later admitted she'd left Georgia on her own, getting cold feet about her pending wedding.Authorities on Saturday released the 911 call of Wilbanks sounding frantic and confused as she reported being kidnapped by two people armed with a small handgun. It wasn't until hours later that police say her story began to fall apart.In the call to the 911 dispatcher, Wilbanks said that a couple driving a blue van had abducted her in Georgia and then dropped her off in New Mexico.
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Authorities said the Georgia bride-to-be later admitted fleeing her hometown due to the pressure of her impending nuptials.Her fiance reported her missing after she went jogging Tuesday night.An FBI spokesman said Wilbanks first took a bus to Las Vegas. The 32-year-old nurse then went to Albuquerque, where she apparently ran out of money. That's when she called her fiance and dialed 911.Albuquerque police said while talking to them, "She decided that she needed to do the right thing and tell the right story."The FBI said Wilbanks had cut her hair to hide her identity, although she's given no sign she knew a nationwide search for her was under way.The police chief in her hometown of Duluth, Ga., said no charges would be filed.Wilbanks' uncle said his niece had some issues "the family was not aware of." He said the family looks forward to loving her and helping her.Rev. Alan Jones, the minister who was supposed to marry Wilbanks and John Mason, said Mason has no hostility toward his fiancee.Mason had become a target of suspicion and had taken one polygraph test and was negotiating with authorities for another test.Jones quoted Mason as saying, "Everybody has a right to make a mistake."The minister reported that the family is experiencing "all kinds of emotions," but mostly they are relieved."Jennifer is alive and we're all grateful for that," he said.
Opinion: | DiscussAuthorities said the Georgia bride-to-be later admitted fleeing her hometown due to the pressure of her impending nuptials.Her fiance reported her missing after she went jogging Tuesday night.An FBI spokesman said Wilbanks first took a bus to Las Vegas. The 32-year-old nurse then went to Albuquerque, where she apparently ran out of money. That's when she called her fiance and dialed 911.Albuquerque police said while talking to them, "She decided that she needed to do the right thing and tell the right story."The FBI said Wilbanks had cut her hair to hide her identity, although she's given no sign she knew a nationwide search for her was under way.The police chief in her hometown of Duluth, Ga., said no charges would be filed.Wilbanks' uncle said his niece had some issues "the family was not aware of." He said the family looks forward to loving her and helping her.Rev. Alan Jones, the minister who was supposed to marry Wilbanks and John Mason, said Mason has no hostility toward his fiancee.Mason had become a target of suspicion and had taken one polygraph test and was negotiating with authorities for another test.Jones quoted Mason as saying, "Everybody has a right to make a mistake."The minister reported that the family is experiencing "all kinds of emotions," but mostly they are relieved."Jennifer is alive and we're all grateful for that," he said.
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