Good news, for once. Jennifer Wilbanks, the 32 year-old Duluth, Georgia woman who went missing just a few days before her wedding, has turned up alive and well with a new hairstyle in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ms. Wilbanks, whose disappearance set off a nationwide search, originally told police that she had been abducted, but later recanted and admitted that she had gotten cold feet and “needed some time alone.” She called her fiance, John Mason (who had become a primary suspect in the criminal investigation), from a pay phone on Friday and told him that she had been abducted while jogging three days earlier. Of course, her family, who believed that all of the media coverage had gotten to the kidnappers, was filled with joy and relief that she had turned up alive and safe, but they went inside and drew the blinds after Ms. Wilbanks changed her story. Thus far, no criminal charges have been filed.
Melinda Larson, a friend of the couple, who had planned to attend the wedding told CNN, “Having cold feet is a joy compared to what the alternative might have been.” Indeed, this is good news, because so many stories like this one end with the discovery of a corpse, a manhunt and an arrest followed by a headline-dominating murder trial reported in a lurid fashion that is intended to bring out the voyeur in all of us for a ratings shares contest — and the other good news is that we’ve been spared all of that.
Ms. Larson also said she thought the bride-to-be had no idea her disappearance would draw so much attention, “Sometimes things take on a life of their own, just like weddings,” she said. Ms. Wilbanks is truly blessed to have such a kind friend, but come on, what planet are these people from? Since when can an attractive upper-middle class woman disappear under any circumstances without instigating a media frenzy?
Now, I can easily find it in my heart to forgive Ms. Wilbanks for getting cold feet, running away, causing her fiance to be suspected of having done something terrible to her and scaring her family, friends and a lot of concerned strangers half to death — but I did not make the arrangements for a lavish wedding to which 600 guests were invited to witness a ceremony that was to feature 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen. I know it is crass but I do have to wonder if they’ll be able to get any of their deposits back now.
In the meantime, stay tuned because these things always take on a life of their own, just like news stories about missing persons.
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Hey! I’m in complete agreement with you! Understandable to get cold feet, but how stupid can you be to not think out how the consequences would play out. Forgive? Sure, but if I were the groom, I would now have cold feet of my own. I didn’t google you, by the way, but someone else did. I just thought it was cool you and your husband had some things published and stuff. You might want to correct something in this post. I think you meant fiance instead of finance. It’s in there twice, so maybe I’m wrong. Great post!
I was thinking the same thing as I watched the initial reports. Once the relief wears off, I’m thinkin’ there’s gonna be some pretty angry family members. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily imply not being responsible for the consequences of your actions. As this girl is about to find out, if this DA presses charges.
You know something really bad is going to happen with this couple in the next few months. The guys going to be some obsessive compulsive lunatic or she’s got another marriage with someone else.
One thing I like about the media, there is no reruns! These crazy stories happen day in and day out and we’ll always have the entertainment to talk about it.
Thanks for the spelling alert, Jay. I really do need to remember to wear my reading glasses, especially when I run my spell-checker.
You know, I probably would have cut Ms. Wilbanks a little more slack if she was 22, but she’s 32, for crying out loud. You’re supposed to be over that whole flakiness thing by the time you hit 30.
I’ve been reading the latest news on this story and there isn’t much mention of poor Mr. Mason, who was not only scared out of his mind with worry only to find he had actually been jilted, but was also the primary suspect in the criminal investigation. Unless that man is a fool or a true saint, he likely has massive ice blocks for feet right now! My heart goes out to him.
The Gwinnett County DA is planning to contact the Albuquerque police on Monday to look into whether Ms. wilbanks violated the law by reporting a crime that didn’t happen. We shall see…
My questions are: Aren’t your bridesmaids supposed to be your best friends? So, with 14 bridesmaids and a fiance and family who love her SO much, couldn’t she find one person to confide in instead of running away?
That’s a really good question, Anne. It makes you wonder even more what Ms. Wilbanks was really running away from, doesn’t it?
You bring this story a good review. A lot of people are so angry they
don’t see the bright side of what was possible. Great job and nice blog!
I have zero sympathy for a woman her age behaving in such an appalling manner.
The resources of several States and the Federal Government have been abused badly, in these times of record budget deficits. Not to mention the resources dedicated to this hunt were necessarily not available for more urgent matters.
Throw the book at her-this kind of selfishness is sickening.
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