Talk of the Town

By paul

May 2, 2005 08:09 AM | Link to this

jennifer should be liable for any money spent on her search…her boyfriend should dump her asap why be involved with a head case who acts like a 4 year old…she needs to move away and start over again i personally would not be ever able to look anyone in the face ever again

By Derek

May 2, 2005 08:10 AM | Link to this

I live in Duluth and know everyone are so happy she is safe. With that said…everyone witnessed the amazing support from the community and police to try and find this woman; including national media. Having cold feet is one thing, but it is a slap in the face of everyone that put huge effort for her well being. Let her pay money back to the community and have her on the next man-hunt so she will realize what it is like on the other side. She’ll have enough issues to deal with apart from that.

By Deborah Liberatore

May 2, 2005 08:10 AM | Link to this

I believe that any money that Jennifer makes from interviews, books etc. should first be used to pay back the city of Duluth for the time and effort spent on her rescue. Her family is wealthy and they should help pay too.

By Tony

May 2, 2005 08:11 AM | Link to this

Well she should obviously be prosecuted for such a selfish act but there is only one problem with that. Being prosecuted for something can be a bit stressful. She would most likely disappear again before the court date.

By Casey Reeves

May 2, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this

She should be held accountable for the money spent looking for her. She should also be charged with a crime and made to service at least community service. Casey

By Jennifer

May 2, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this

I refuse to believe that out of 600 people coming to your wedding, you have NO ONE to talk to about your fears. It is ludicrous. I seriously hope some charges are pressed against her, or she is forced to pay some of the bill. She stole from us, the taxpayers, because she didn’t have the guts to stand up for herself. I have loads of sympathy for her fiance, but none for her.

By SLK

May 2, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

First of all, I am thankful that Jennifer is alive and was not actually kidnapped or murdered. Yes, I think that she should have to face some sort of consequences for her actions. Countless police and volunteers spent hours and hours searching for her. There were donations of time, food and support from everywhere. What she did could have been acomplished differently. She could have left a note stating that she was OK but needed to get away… she could have made one phone call to one friend stating that she was alright. This is not a teenage bride to be. This is a mature woman in her 30’s that should have known better than to put her family, friends and the caring city of Atlanta through this ordeal. I think that she suffers from a mental problem and needs help - perhaps her sentence could be to seek help.
There was a victim here, though. John Mason. He is in our thoughts and prayers.

By KJ Keishian

May 2, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

She should have to definitely pay for the law-enforcement expenses, then go for mandatory counselling, and I think her fiance’ should be the one to run!

By Dee

May 2, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

She is a 32 year old grown woman not a 19 year old scared girl. There is NO excuse for what she did, what she put her family, friends and community through. She should be prosecuted, forced to pay for the police who spent time looking for her and forced to pay back the businesses in the community for donations they gave to searchers. I am furious that someone her age could behave this way. Her poor family! They must be so embarrassed.

By RS

May 2, 2005 08:15 AM | Link to this

You BET she should be prosecuted! She put her family, friends, fiance’, HIS family & innumerable strangers through days of torment because she was too much of a selfish spoiled child to face up to her silly “fears”. DO you know how many young women would love to marry a fine man like that? If he has any sense, he’d want no part of her, ever again. She also cost the police dept a lot of time & money; they could have been WORKING! Yes, treat what she did like the crime it is & while I’m profoundly relieved she’s OK, she deserves jail time & to pay back every cent that was spent searching for her!

By M. Hill

May 2, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

Overwhelmed, scared, and afraid of what others may think. She probably had cold feet and was afraid to tell anyone because the wedding had gotten so large and would disappoint so many people. She may have gone about it the wrong way, but she is obviously troubled and crying out for help.

By Anita

May 2, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

In this day and age of so much crime and horror, I say thank goodness, she is okay and yes, she made a mistake making up the story of being kidnapped, but seriously, I certainly hope those folks who want her prosecuted would not rather her be dead or suffering at the hands of some monster, just to validate their feelings. Welcome back Jennifer, may everything work out for you.

By chrissy martin

May 2, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

i think jennifer wilbanks should be forgiven by his and her family plus her soon to be husband.i hope jennifer and john can work this out.i hope they can sit down and talk this out.i hope she tells john she is sorry for what she did wrong.i hope he forgives her.i hope they still get married.i am happy for them.i hope it ends up a happy ending.i hope no police charges are filed against her.leave her alone now.

By Mac Zosky

May 2, 2005 08:17 AM | Link to this

The runaway bride is a troubled woman who unnecessarily put her family and community through great trauma. There are many people in this world with the stress of job loss, critically ill children, and terminal illness. That is acute stress. To react so dramatically to “wedding stress” indicates a need for therapy. Before marriage and children, the runaway bride needs help handling life.

By Mark Mattheis

May 2, 2005 08:20 AM | Link to this

The most important point in this story is that it is not illegal for an adult to leave or run away. The fact that she initially told the police in Albuquerque that she was kidnapped did not cause the search for her earlier in the week (unless Jennifer used some newfangled time machine that only she knows about). No action was taken by either the Albuquerque PD or Duluth PD as a result of Jennifer claiming (for 2-3 hours) that she was kidnapped. DA Danny Porter needs to forget about this case, and the public needs to understand that this is a cost of doing business for the police department.

Jennifer’s punishment for her behavior is a civil matter between her guests, buisness hired for the wedding, and participants in the wedding who spent money (bridemaids and groomsmen, etc.) It’s simply not worth the time and money to prosecute her for claiming to have been kidnapped when no action was taken by either the Albuquerque PD or Duluth PD as a result of her lie.

By D

May 2, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this

I think Jennifer should be made to cover the cost for the search, but of course this will not happen because her family has money and she will be looked upon as helpless and she will try to play on everyone simpathy and that will be the end to the story. The family will make a statement to the public apologizing for what happened and that will be the end of the entire ordeal.

By H Muscio

May 2, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this

Its just too bad that the pressure of a wedding has led to this. First of all I am glad she is home, safe. Secondly, I do believe she should reimburse any of the official gencies that pulled in overtime and had to use excessive search techniques…

That being said, as a small business owner in the event decorating business, I also think she should make sure that all of her wedding vendors are paid 100%-and then some. We must also remember that THEY were planning for months to save that day too- heck the florist probably picked up the flowers on Tuesday while she was still in town!!! Think of all the food ordered and never served! Of the band members who suddenly found themselves open on a saturday night! Of the banquet staff that was scheduled to work that event and suddenly theres no reception to work. All of the wedding vendors had saved that date and were counting on those funds to support their own families.

Concerning all the friends and family in from out of town, I am torn on what should be done there, although I can’t help but hope that Atlanta’s Tourism market got a little boost over the weekend and that these out of town guests where around Atlanta spending money.

By Grant

May 2, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this

I see no reason nor benefit for any formal prosecution of Ms. Wilbanks. I certainly do not condone her actions, however, and feel that full restitution is owed the numerous agencies involved in the search effort. A public apology to the numerous friends, family members, law enforcement & emergency services, and the community as a whole is also in order.

By Rickie Bass

May 2, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this

The young lady needs to spend a bit of time in jail. It’s totally irresponsible what she did and to slap her on the wrist and send her back into life goofing up again would be irresponsible as well. What happened to the days where people were held accountable for their actions?? I hope young Miss Wilbanks takes a look at all the comments and reads what responsible people think of what she’s fabricated with this stupid “kidnap story”….and something else…..there’s lots of women out there missing….noone puts that much efford in finding them…guess you’ve got to have a name and the money with it!

By Law Student

May 2, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this

While I do think that Ms. Wilbanks demonstrated erratic behavior, I also believe that she did so out of fear and confusion. I definitely think that at this point, counseling is necessary. Marriage is a big step and a big society wedding has got to be stressful. I am sure she did not realize the magnitude of what she had done at the time. Little did she know that people still care about people and strangers were even a part of the search. I would like to see an apology to her family, law enforcement, and the community for causing such worry. I am not even in the same state and we were praying for her. This was a brushfire that got out of control.

By Tim, KY

May 2, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this

Ms. Wilbanks should receive a $2000 fine and maybe 1 day in jail for filing a false report. At a minimum, she’ll remember the day in jail and the fine will help offset some of the cost incurred by the police and other agencies involved in the search. Her day in jail should serve as a reminder the next time she or anyone else thinks of running away instead of just saying “No” and not making up some elaborate story to hide behind.

By Keith Lynch

May 2, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this

I believe that Ms. Wilbanks should be held accountable for the expense of the search and receive probation for her actions.

By Brenda Arbuckle

May 2, 2005 08:31 AM | Link to this

Since the familys had put up a $100,000.00 reward for information leading to Ms. Wilbanks’ wherabouts, that money should now go to the various law enforcement agencies involved in the search and return of the run-a-way bride.

She then needs to address her obvious mental issues and seriously consider her future plans for marriage to this man.

My prayer is that they first seek God’s help not man’s then get on with their lives the way they want to live.

By Jennifer

May 2, 2005 08:31 AM | Link to this

Because of the extent that she went through to pull this off she should be charged for reporting a false crime and have to pay back the city for the expenses paid. She went through a detailed description of people who did nothing to her and thought nothing of that…She didn’t think of the racial profiling minorities already deal with on a daily basis, but why would she think of that. She calcuated her leave and it was a selfish act that had people IMMEDIATELY thinking her fiance had something to do with it or killed her. That doesn’t sound like love to me or even respect. If other people can be charged with reporting a false crime she should be no different. This is something more than her having cold feet. She has made herself look like a spolied little rich girl who couldn’t handle the pressures of a big wedding that most people in every day life can’t even begin to dream of affording. She may have other things (serious) things going on in her life, but she hasn’t presented those and until she does I don’t see a justification for her acts. She owes the city, county, state, and country an explination and a sincere apology along with restitution. There are people who can’t eat from day to day and people spent time and energy and money looking for her and she knew exactly what she was doing.

By RC

May 2, 2005 08:32 AM | Link to this

First of all, the prayers were answered: that is,she was a runaway bride and not abducted and killed. Thank God she is safe. Now comes the hard part. Her life will never be the same after this. She obviously is not in a stable condition for marriage; much less children. Heaven knows what she would do if confronted with a life or death situation dealing with children. John Mason needs to break if off with her and go in another direction. I don’t know how anyone could ever trust her again.

By Bob Perrow

May 2, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this

Jennifer Wilbanks needs to stand up to the heat and be a big girl at last. She should pay for the excessive costs of her search. Other than that, I’m sure the simple embarrassment that she has brought upon herself is adequate to halt any future repeats of this performance. After all, can you imagine her having to date someone new after this episode?

By AH

May 2, 2005 08:34 AM | Link to this

With the thousand of missing children abducted by the hands of child rapists and killers, the police and media do not give even 1/3 of the coverage they gave to this woman from a wealthy family. I think this is a good example of our “class” society in which wealth determines your worth in the eyes of the media and the law enforcement agency. Of course Jennifer should pay back all of the money that was spent on her, but more importantly it’s time for our society to realize the cruel and unfair idea that in order to receive this much attention from the media and the law enforcement agencies you must meet a certain criteria. No excuses should be made in her defense. And if she profits from this ordeal…our world is in a bigger demise than we really think.

By debbie

May 2, 2005 08:36 AM | Link to this

Jail time NO, It would serve no purpose….Community service YES and full restitution for the costs of the ordeal….The humiliation and worry she has put her family through will haunt her till she is very old and single I might add….. She got cold feet , handled it terribly wrong but is obviously not ready or mature enough to be getting married.

By Tony Skeen

May 2, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this

It has been reported that the cost of searching for Jennifer was substantial. Why in the heck would we want to waste even MORE taxpayer dollars prosecuting her for this. The public shame she has brought on herself and her poor family should be more than enough punishment. Mr. Porter needs to do his job prosecuting murderers, dope dealers, pedophiles and thieves and not worry about people like this poor woman.

By chuck humm

May 2, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this

Jennifer Wilbanks wasted police time, squandered millions in taxpayer money, and undercut every legitimate victim of an abduction.

This is not a child prank—this is criminal behavior. While the police were diverted because of her antics, some legitimate victim suffered, either through a crime that occurred or loss of investigation time.

Hundreds of volunteers risked their own lives to crawl through sewers looking for her.

The citizens of Duluth, the State of Georgia and the United States (remember FBI time was wasted too) are all victims.

She should be prosecuted, jailed and have to pay for the real cost to all taxpayers—and yes that will be millions.

Any income from interviews, books etc. should be taken from her and used to defray the expensive of her irresponsible actions.

I do not feel sorry for her—just angry that she is so selfish, self-centered and uncaring.

By neil

May 2, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this

Nothing should happen to her here. Is it a crime to leave without telling someone? She made no stories here in GA. She made a false report of a crime in NM.

By Diana, Atlanta

May 2, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this

I think that Jennifer Wilbanks needs to be held accountable for her actions and should have to pay for the funds used to search for her. It is not fair that our tax dollars be used to pay for her lack of consideration. Wilbanks could also use a great deal of counseling, because I believe she has some mental and emotional problems that should be addressed. As for her finace, I think he should go on his merry way while he still can - would he honestly ever be able to trust this woman again? I’m really glad the she is home safely, but there were so many other choices she could have made that wouldn’t have cause such a comotion. As another poster said - our parayers were answered - Jennifer Wilbanks is safe. Now it’s time to face the real music.

By Keith Lynch

May 2, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

I believe that Ms. Wilbanks should be held accountable for the cost of her disappearance and receive probation for her actions. But what about her boyfriend; he was looked at by law enforcement official and the public as the one whom caused her disappearance. He receives my prayer.

By David J

May 2, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

Just an unbelievable story to unfold in the small town of Duluth. I can’t image what the parents have gone through these last few days.

I don’t think she should be charge with a crime but I do believe she should be held accountable for the cost of such a massive search. Like someone else said, she is 32 years old not a teenager. In the end I think she did her husband to be a huge favor, a person with issues at this stage will only have issues later on.

By Jay

May 2, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

The hypocracy in this case is close to overwhelming. Having the family preacher be the spokesperson for John Mason, stating how Christian and Godly he is by him quoting Bible verses is all great. However, how could the Preacher stand up and be associated with a couple that was LIVING TOGETHER IN SIN PRIOR TO BEING MARRIED!!!!

By RANDY

May 2, 2005 08:44 AM | Link to this

Jennifer should pay all expences incurred on on this man hunt and expences to the wedding that did not take place. She also needs counciling.

By Marc

May 2, 2005 08:44 AM | Link to this

Wrong thing to do. Everyone has done something really stupid in there lives and have not paid for it, or just let it slide and not think about it anymore. As stupid as I think this was, everyone just needs to lay off. We don’t know what she was going threw mentally and from other outside forces that might have been forcing her into a quick marriage.

By J. Weekley

May 2, 2005 08:45 AM | Link to this

From the standpoint of public perception, Jennifer Wilbanks is a very bad position, having pre-planned for days her “escape” from her wedding, used deception to avoid detection, faked — and later claimed — an abduction, and then lying to her family, her fiancee, the Albuquerque police, the FBI, and perhaps others.

And, none of this touches the grief and days of heartbreak she selfishly caused two families, 600 wedding guests, 14 bridesmaids and groomsmen, wedding vendors, some very fine communities in Georgia, and others.

To make amends and try to rehabilitate her reputation, she needs to act like a mature woman and meet with the media, tell them why she left, be absolutely truthful about what REALLY happened and the sequence of events, apologize to everyone concerned, and offer to help pay the costs of law enforcement resources wasted in the process.

If Ms. Wilbanks is truly sorry for what she did, she has ONE opportunity to demonstrate that in a credible, mature, and honest way.

By Jessica

May 2, 2005 08:46 AM | Link to this

I just want Jennifer to know that not only did she put her family through four days of turmoil but all of the country. I drive by there house everyday to go to school and I was just beyond my self scared and worried to death about her and my own safety knowing that it is late when I get off from school and what type of danger my life will be in. I am embarresed for her that I was even sad and worried. SHe should get some type of punishment for her actions she was a selfish person and wasnt thinking about anyone but herself. I hope she will be able to live with her self for the rest of her life.

Jessica

I will continue to pray for her sanity and the well being of her friends and family.

By mtraininjax

May 2, 2005 08:47 AM | Link to this

She is not a criminal, she exercised her own free will to make a decision, albeit a poor decision, but it was hers. As the adult that she portrays, she should stand up and take whatever the state gives her for acting like an adult. I don’t believe she deserves jail time, but she does need community service to think about her actions as the adult!

By Mrs. T

May 2, 2005 08:47 AM | Link to this

Jennifer needs to pay law enforcement for time and money spent on this ludacris ordeal. She also should be forced to do community service for havinf friends & family out scoping area for days also it needs to reported on her background/criminal record. Why would a person do such a thing? Just open your mouth & say NO!

By amy

May 2, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

One of my main concerns is that the next time a person is reported missing, people will be less likely to take off of work and join in the search because this experience has tainted them. Perhaps she might be willing to do some sort of community education or something to help counter this?

By Sylvia Baxter

May 2, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

There is no doubt that Ms. Wilbanks shoud be required to pay back the city of Duluth for the cost of the two day massive search. Prosecution is not necesary for a person that has some serious emotional issues. Ms. Wilbanks is an adult not a child some time during the wedding prep, she should have spoken up! That she didn’t why should the tax payers pay for her lack of maturity .

By shannon

May 2, 2005 08:49 AM | Link to this

Poor little rich girl Jennifer, could not take the stress of a upcoming wedding that she planned. She took to running away, making up a wild goose story about being kidnapped, with all the high drama of a soap opera. Jennifer should be made to issue statements to the nation that she help hostage, peoples news channels covered this every 20 minutes, not to mention the other news stories about her “ordeal”. Sorry Jennifer, you are a very immature spoiled child and did John a big favor in seeing you in your true light. A very selfish little girl.

By B. Sellers

May 2, 2005 08:49 AM | Link to this

I believe that she should be charged. First she left home with no id. No body does that. She cut her hair so that she couldn’t be recognized, and then she left town and then lied to the police saying that she was kidnapped. This was obviously pre-meditated and well thought out. I believe that the only reason she called when she did is because she felt guilty about her family offering the $100,000 reward for her return. She should also have to pay back the City of Duluth for the resources used to search for her.

By Debbie Atkinson

May 2, 2005 08:55 AM | Link to this

Please be real about this. This is not a joke. She needs to be prosecuted. People cannot always hide behind money. A slap on the wrist is just not good enough. I hope Mason pack his bags and start RUNNING.

By SC

May 2, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this

I am glad she is alive. She should have to pay back the money spent to search for her, that was taxpayer money and too many people worked too hard for that money. How do the police officers that missed the funeral of Officer Cross (due to having to search for a runaway bride) feel?

By Alice

May 2, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this

SLK’s comments are my sentiments exactly. I will add that Wilbanks should be ORDERED to repay the police departments involved for their expenses during the search. I would advise John Mason to distance himself from Wilbanks. Time heals a broken heart and he can love again—I know from experience. God Bless John Mason and his family.

By Tom Doniphon

May 2, 2005 08:57 AM | Link to this

NM and duluth authorities aren’t going to prosecute, so ‘Samurai’ Porter should stay off CNN and let it go. As for the wasted money, it’s just that wasted taxpayer money — not a drop in the bucket as to what politicians steal daily.

All these people who now so angry with the lying ‘bride’ should just get a life and move on.

By BN

May 2, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

Why should her parents have to pay? She should be penalized for falsely reporting a crime and punished accordingly. Requiring her to pay restitution appears to be an attempt to keep the parents reward offering. If the City of Duluth does steal the parents money, this will certainly discourage others in the future from offering rewards. What a coincidence Duluth’s expenses just happen to be the amount of the reward posted.

By Tami Arnold

May 2, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

I think Jennifer Wilbanks should be prosecuted and held accountable for her actions. A lot of county money, law enforcement time and energey was put into a search for a missing girl who acted very immature in the choices she made. I feel very sorry for John Mason and what he had to go through. Jennifer let people believe the worst and she should be punished for causing national attention which was all a hoax!

By BJ

May 2, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

There has got to be more to this than meets the eye…there may have been something going on that she’s not telling but I do think it was cruel of her to not at least call her mom and say “Mom I’m ok, don’t worry”. I mean how could that hurt her? Our mothers are our greatest treasure and it’s wrong of her to break her mom’s heart.

By Kate

May 2, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

First, the most sincere apolgy needs to be made - FAST - to the police and public. Secondly, the public needs to build a bridge and get over it. EVERYONE has a story or an issue, some worse then others, some open and others kept very secret. Third, some sort of charge does need to be made. In my opinion, at the minimum, she definitely needs to pay the police back. Sadly, one day a female runner could be abducted and then what? Will the public and police be as swift with their decision and actions, or will this cry wolf case stunt them. I’m not out to judge her as a person, but her actions have brought up some serious issues that could affect others.

By Deborah

May 2, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

I believe Jennifer should pay restitution for the lie she told.She should have not even planned a wedding if she could not communicate her feelings to her fiance.(Yet she planned her own kidnapping) Marriage is a whole lot more than just an extravagant wedding.

And shame on the police for giving her an FBI hat(tiara) and wisking her away from the tarmac of the airport like she was the Belle of the Ball.

Jennifer must take reposibility for her actions.

By sheryl

May 2, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

The picture that keeps coming to my mind is Laci Peterson’s mother. What pain and sorrow this lady has felt with not only loosing her daughter, but grandchild as well. I know Jennifer’s mother thought of that as well. No parent wants to bury a child. Jennifer is an immature person with no regard for the feelings of those that love and cherish her. If I was John I would run like the wind. To marry her would only bring heartache. Everytime they have a problem, which they will, she will be off to the greyhound station on another road trip. She should also have to reimburse any monies spent in her behalf. Finally I think she should have to work in the Chaplains office at a Children’s Hospital for 5 years dealing with parents that have lost their children to death. That should make a woman out of her.

By Jen

May 2, 2005 09:05 AM | Link to this

I am happy to hear of her safety. In this day and age, I believed this would not be a happy ending.

But, I strongly believe she should pay back the expenses it took to search for her. People wasted their time, money, and emotions on someone who bought a greyhound bus ticket a week ago. She led her fiance to believe she had nothing but a MP3 player with her. She had $140 with her instead and cut her hair NOT to be recognized. I call that a plan, not spur of the moment. Jennifer thought of only one person for 4 days…herself!

If I were the police in New Mexico..rather than putting a 32 yr old woman in first class clutchinga teddy bear she mockingly name “Al” for Alburquerqe. I would have put her on a non-stop greyhound bus back to Atlanta and told her she would have plenty time to think about what she did to her fiancee, his family, her family and the communtiy of Duluth Ga.

She needs help and support, yes but she owes some money back to her community.

By cynthia stewart

May 2, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this

This is an adult woman who planned her own over-the-top wedding. She showed total disregard for her family, her friends, her community. If she feels a shred of remorse, she should not only express it but should commit to repaying the costs to community - if she doesnt do it on her own, then she should be pursued for restitution by legal means. She clearly acted with pre-medidation, and waited THREE full days before resurfacing - leaving behind the hair clearly marked her intent to claim ‘abduction’.

By Linda

May 2, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this

She should definitely have to pay for the expense of the unnecessary search. Charges though?? What are you going to charge her with?? Having Cold Feet on the wrong day at the wrong time?? It’s obvious that she wasn’t ready to get married or she would have never skipped out. She is the one who helped invite 600 people and arrange for a total of 28 attendants. She made the wedding as large as it was. If she decided to skip out on her wedding because of it’s size and/or the pressure .. HEY .. she went to Vegas .. If she truly loves John why didn’t she confront him with how she felt about the magnitude of their pending nuptuals and both of them skip out to Vegas together. Elope and THEN They could have called home when it was all said and done. How long could it actually take to cancel a wedding that large and the money lost would have been lost to the couple not the city of Duluth to look for someone who wasn’t actually missing at all.

By Rashard

May 2, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this

I think she should have to pay back law enforcement for the search efforts. Also a lot of people took off of work to help search for her. She should be forgiven. She should also get either jail time or long probation hours. She should have just run away and not lied about being abducted. She should have told the truth about cold feet instead of the lie.

By Brooke

May 2, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this

She should pay for what she did. The last time I checked LYING to the FBI was a felony, purgery against the US Gov’t I believe is the correct term. All she would have had to do was make one phonecall & thats it. how hard was that? Also, this was a pre-meditated thing. She had money & she cut her hair. Buying the bus ticket days before was a sign also. I say Jailtime is what she should do, she really almost ruined her fiance’s life.

By REH

May 2, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this

The AJC’s opinion is very evident, they seem to only be posting comments that Jennifer is responsible and should pay.

I think she should Not Pay, she has the right to come and go as she pleases without asking anyones permission.

By phyllis

May 2, 2005 09:08 AM | Link to this

she shoould go to jail and let her parents pay back the money. she had the police and fbi looking for a blue van with a male hispanic and a female. we have children being abducted everyday in this country, families starving etc. and she has the audacity to play such mind games. she needs to pay and she needs to pay dearly. had that been a person of color they would have immediately been arrested without question.

By Karen

May 2, 2005 09:09 AM | Link to this

She should be made to pay atleast half of whatever expenses Gwinnett County spent for the search as well as any money her parents and her furture in-laws spent on this wedding. I can’t understand how anyone would hurt their parents in this way. All it would have taken would have been one call to one person to let them know she was alright. This was such a childish and selfish thing to do.

By Nilesh

May 2, 2005 09:09 AM | Link to this

She should be fined for $10K and 30 days of community services for misleading community and loss of tax payers money. Her parents should also agree on imposing community service on their daughter. Her fiance should not trust her and should leave her alone because how could someone trust her and garentte that this is not going to happen again in future. Irresponsible person should be punished.

By Florida Miles Brown

May 2, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this

I feel Jennifer Wilbanks should be arrested and charged accordingly. I also feel that she planned this fiasco without any consideration of those she left behind. I forgive her, but shame on you Jennifer. Why couldn’t you have just said “NO!”

By TG

May 2, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this

She should be prosecuted for filing a false report. It cost law enforcement agencies money to search for missing persons. And she is not punished others will do the same thing and think its a joke. She has caused law enforcement to follow a false claim when their time could have been better spent on “real cases.”

By L

May 2, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this

Thank goodness Jennifer is safe. I tend to agree with the other readers that she has some financial responsibility for the situation and I would also like to see her perform community service in Duluth for the next year. On a personal note, as a woman of the very community she “disappeared” from, I believe she owes us all an apology - for the worry for her safety, and also for making us wonder about the safety of the town we live in.

By Chris

May 2, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this

Why are we so quick to want to ‘punish’ people versus ‘help’ people? This clearly says something about our society! This woman needs help, not because she got cold feet, but because - for whatever reason - she didn’t feel that she could talk it over with her family or future husband. Having said that, I feel that she/her family should reimburse the police for their costs. It is the only fair thing to do.

By KABA

May 2, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this

We were all praying for her safe return and that happened, and I am so thankful. She needs counselling and support, not jail and ridicule. Just imagine if she were your daughter, sister, or mom, wouldn’t you would want her back alive? I only had 50 people at my wedding 27 years ago, and I still remember how nervous I was. She was expecting 600, and I can imagine how stressed she felt. Now, if the family reimburses the police for their services I think that would be appropriate. Obviously she wasn’t thinking clearly, or she could have foreseen all of the media consequences, including this blog, full of harsh comments. Forgiveness and understanding are needed for Jennifer.

By Elizabeth

May 2, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this

I agree with Deborah Liberatore that any money from books etc should be used to pay back the law enforcement agencies involved in her case. However, her family should not have to pay a penny for it. Seeing her poor mother sobbing and the rest of the family in grief, they have been victimized enough. How much money they have is irrelevant. John Mason and Jennifer’s family have suffered enough.

By Simms

May 2, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this

Forget Wilbanks and her family. What about her fiance and the Hispanic community she disgraced?

By ODIS

May 2, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this

Oh yes, she should pay the piper and be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. What message would we send to our youth, if she is allowed to go unpunished for this childish stunt. I just hate that she had to lie and say that a hispanic guy abducted her. Is an abduction story more credible, if a minority commit the act. Must be, because this has got to be the 3rd instance that a white female has done this in the past 10 years. I also feel sorry for the poor groom.

By craig

May 2, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this

Let FOX News and CNN pay Duluth for any expenses. They win with viewers when she was missing and now as we tune in to learn the outcome. And the women needs some form of rehibilitation through punishment, therapy or both.

By Donnie

May 2, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this

Of course the Chief of Police in Duluth said no criminal charges will be pressed. This is a town in Ga. Both Families are wealthy and prominant. One of them is a former Mayor and a Judge. I hope the D.A. throws the book at her. This is not a teenager…. this is a grown woman who knew what she was doing. A note to John…. RUN MAN RUN.

By Jackie

May 2, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

Yes indeed Ms Wilbanks should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, made to pay back 80% of all monies spent on her search, community service, obtain counseling, and volunteering for the next 5 searches so that she might grasp the enormity of what she did. She or anyone in her family should not be allowed to make ANY money off of this story.

Running away is one thing, creating a detailed story about being abducted is something else.

By Jan

May 2, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

So Jennifer got cold feet—we ALL do about something at one time or another in our lives. She owes a BIG apology to her parents, her fiance’s parents, all the law enforcement, search dogs and volunteers who looked for her. And yes, there should be some punishment for her actions.

By Robin

May 2, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

This was a very self-centered act and selfish.

By Leslie

May 2, 2005 09:19 AM | Link to this

We can all point fingers and say what a horrible person Jennifer is, but in reality many of us have not been in that situation.

We don’t know what was going through her head. We also need to look at communication. Why was it that she felt she couldn’t go to anyone? She is not the only one to blame here.

I’m sure Jennifer was scared others would turn their back on her and that she was going to be a huge dissappointment. In her mind, she did the only thing she thought would get her out—leaving.

I’m sure now, Jennifer wishes she would have dealt with things differently.

Let Jennifer and her family deal with this in private. Imagine if this was your daughter. Choose your words of condemnation carefully, because it could be your family one day.

By Tim

May 2, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

Having second thoughts is normal before a wedding. If her doubts were that great, all she had to do was talk to someone, or at the very least, leave a note. All she thought of was herself.

By R.G.G.

May 2, 2005 09:21 AM | Link to this

Hello people! Wake up! She did not get cold feet because of 600 guests,and 14 bridesmaids, she got cold feet because she did not want to get married. She tried to change her identity - she cut her hair! I still think there is more to this story that will eventually come out. The right thing to do is to make a public apology, and do ALOT of community service.

By ALEX WHITFIELD

May 2, 2005 09:21 AM | Link to this

With all that went on last year with Lacie Peterson and the little boy who survived at sea for 6 days without any help…I say she should be prosocuted to the full extent of the law…what message would this send if they just let her walk? not a good one if you ask me. think about the man hours this cost the state in overtime and the money used in this search and your head starts to spin…but also, what about people who were pulled off other missing people reports because of this. what do you say to there families with the amount of time that was taken away from there cases? “I’m sorry.” thats not good enough!

By Melissa Walsh

May 2, 2005 09:21 AM | Link to this

I was once engaged and shortly before the wedding I called it off. No one can understand unless they have been through this how painful of a process this is. It is very embarassing and a very hurtful process to a lot of people. I believe that Jennifer must have realized she wasn’t ready for such a life long commitment and with such a huge wedding planned she had a panic attack and got out of town. Once she realized everyone was searching for her she probably just felt such guilt and embarassment over running away that she just decided to say she was kidnapped. I don’t think she was trying to fake a kidnapping the whole time… it was just something she said cause she was scared. People have lied about much worse things and gotten off the hook ….. come on people… give the girl a break! She’s no criminal!

By T

May 2, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

I’m gald that Jennifer is safe, but I do not believe she should pay a portion of the law enforcement expenses, but ALL of the law enforcement expenses. If she would not have done any of this then none of these expenses and the time that people put in trying to help find someone that was never missing would have occurred. So why should tax payers have to pay any costs for such a foolish prank.

By Brian B. Pastor

May 2, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

I think it is great we finally have a story that does not end with a decomposing body found in the nearby woods and a fiance’ who is a chief suspect. If Jennifer has any savings she or her family should ‘donate’ the cost of the search to law enforcement agencies and she should volunteer for 40 - 200 hours of community service.

By Julia

May 2, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this

Although I’m glad that Jennifer Wilbanks is alive and well (??), what she did was horrible self-centered and irresponsible. This is not a child, she is in her 30’s. This is not a weak willed woman, she runs marathons. How could she put her family, her fiance and her friends through the grief and STRESS of her disappearance? How could she allow the man she is supposed to love be under suspicion and have to take a lie detector? She should make restitution to the community for the cost and time involved. I do think she is guilty of making false statements to the police about being abducted. What if an innocent couple in a blue van had been picked up and charged because of her lies? I’m thankful she was not abducted and hurt or worse, but I have no sympathy for her situation.

By Marissa

May 2, 2005 09:25 AM | Link to this

The point is : She is a grown woman of sound mind and she decided to get away for a couple days. There is NO crime in that. The fact that her family OVERREACTED by starting a search without waiting the usual 24 hrs or using less expensive tactics is insane. She could’ve left a note, but she didn’t legally commit any sort of a crime. PS - If she’d been from College Park or Ben Hill (Read: Black) none of this expensive and ridiculous search would have happened.

By Patti J

May 2, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this

An observation from Ohio

I wonder how many people went missing last week all over the country who will never be found, let alone searched for and how many will be found dead. I wonder what would have happened if the fiancee had gone missing and how fast this woman would have had to give a polygraph test to prove her innocence. I think of all the people who read about this missing woman and immediately were reminded of a horrible ending to someone else that was kidnapped. Possibly someone they loved; a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend, a child. This entire “runaway bride” scenario is disgusting. I hope that this woman will be held accountable for her actions by paying back the community and the local law enforcement.

By Marcy

May 2, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this

Jennifer’s little cat and mouse game makes a mockery of and minimizes the pain and anguish of those who have truly had their children abducted and/or killed, such as Dru Sjodin and Lacey Peterson. Jennifer needs to repay at least 10K to the authorities and be put on 5 years’ probation with 300 hours of community service - perhaps then she will think of someone else besides herself.

By L. Green

May 2, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this

There are so many dynamics to this situation - you have the young lady and you have the finance. Both are hurting at this time. To cast stones at her is to me not fitting. Yes there were volunteers and enforcement - but there was also a scared young lady. We don’t know why she did not want to marry….to those that are married - marriage is a huge plunge. It is one of the most decisions that you will ever make in your life. We don’t know what the couple faced. A $100,000. offer was given to the person who found her - I believe from that money restitution should be made the the countless hours spent to find her. But thank God you are alive Jennifer. You will get through this. He who is without fault -please throw the first stone!

By K

May 2, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this

What is wrong with this community (Duluth)? They were willing to stand behind Jennifer and her Family as long as there was a Tragedy. Now that the truth is out the community wants her punished. They VOLUNTEERED. No one was forced to help. What if it was their family member? Would they be as quick to judge and punish? I doubt it. Jennifer has not hurt anyone physically. It is obvious she needs help and our prayers. We may not forget, but we need to forgive.

By KABA

May 2, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this

Panic and anxiety attacks are real disorders that … can overwhelm a person. I think Jennifer suffered one of these attacks, which are treatable. Show some compassion Atlanta!

By Stephanie Adams

May 2, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

Enough of the “needs help”. Yes she needs help, but she also needs to be punished. We would have no one in jail of all we did was get help for criminals. Get off the liberal high horse. People need to suffer consequences for their actions.Her fiance should run away as fast as he can.

By Shawn

May 2, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

After reading the myriad of comments on this page, I find it amazing how few recognize one very important point in all this drama. She not only caused an entire community and later country to focus on her but blamed(yet again)a minority for crime not committed. A day in jail, a fine and then countless hours of community service attending to the needs of the group she blamed in her “panic” should be the punishment.

By Kim

May 2, 2005 09:33 AM | Link to this

This woman is NOT a criminal and should NOT be persecuted. Please, we wouldn’t even have this discussion if the man had left someone at the altar. THE MEDIA blew this out of proportion, with the clever nametag, etc. THEY should help pay the costs to the county/searchers. Rest assured that the caterers, florist, etc. have already been paid.

By Not her fault

May 2, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this

Nothing should happen to this woman. She broke no laws leaving on her own. The job of law enforcement is to solve cases. Wheter the case ends up good or bad. In this case, it was good because she was alive. Only thing she is guilty of is lieing. But she told the truth right after that. So now you want to punish her for leaving. Would you want to be punished for taking a trip and not telling no one. That’s our right as U.S. citizens.

By Taxpaying Citizen

May 2, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

(1) The City, County, State and Federal Governments should hand Miss Wilbanks a BILL for the taxpayer expense wasted on the search. If she doesn’t voluntarily pay it within 30 days, she should be sued for recovery of the costs. (2) If there is an applicable criminal statute, and the District Attorney believes in good faith he can win a conviction, Miss Wilbanks should be indicted for the crime(s) committed.

By Bree

May 2, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

To say she was kidnapped and give a description of two people is beyond irresponsible and selfish. She should be punished! What if two people were arrested as suspects because of her actions? There are millions of ways to deal with the stress of planning a wedding and no I have not experienced this type of stress myself but I am damn sure, I wouldn’t pre-meditate my own kidnapping and lie about it.

By Tim

May 2, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

I’ll agree with Marissa, and I am white. If she had been black or hispanic, she might have been mentioned briefly on the news. But let a rich white girl go missing, and it’s front page news and all that you see on tv. “Oh, there’s no way a rich white girl would just run off like that. She’s too responsible.” And yes, she did commit a crime as soon as she told ANYONE from law enforcement she had been kidnapped. A responsible person would have left a note, or at the very least, come clean as soon as she knew a massive search was underway.

By Jay

May 2, 2005 09:36 AM | Link to this

Hello!? This woman is 32 years old. Way old enough to know that if you run off for more than a day some one will file a missing persons report.

By Dawn

May 2, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this

I feel that Jennifer and her family who through fears of losing a loved one, should at least pay for the manpower used to look for her and be offered counseling to overcome her fears and anxiety. Even though we all may seem upset and angry the bottom line is this was a cry out for help and everyone should put their judgement aside and pray for her. We all have made mistakes and God is a God of second chances.

By Karl

May 2, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this

I think the comment below illustrates one of the bigger problems in today’s culture…lack of personal responsibility for one’s own actions.

Leslie says, “We also need to look at communication. Why was it that she felt she couldn’t go to anyone? She is not the only one to blame here.”

Of course she is the only one to blame here. She is an adult and responsible for her own actions and consequences.

By Brooke

May 2, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this

She should have to pay some of the fine, also be a part of the next few people searches and get some couseling. I feel sorry for her, but I also feel sorry for the people who really need our tax payers money for real missing people. To put our community in a panic for selfish reasons is wrong.

By Elisa

May 2, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this

I agree with Melissa Walsh. NOBODY understands what Jennifer is going through unless they have been in a similar situation. I TOO called off my wedding and was basically disowned by my family for many many months. It was not my wedding…it was my family’s wedding. I was to marry my college boyfriend of four years. After you date someone for so long the next EXPECTED step is marriage. I am sure they were PAINTED as the PERFECT couple but in reality there were MANY issues behind closed doors. I KNOW from experience that Mr. Mason had to have SOME idea that things were NOT PICTURE PERFECT. Who lets their wife- to-be go running at 8:00pm alone? It is sad that Jennifer had no one to turn to for help because she felt so far into the wedding process, which is a time and financial investment to all involved. The public has the media to thank for making this such a big ordeal…they were wanting another Scott Peterson case. She had no idea what would come of her actions. Truth is, Jennifer has a long hard road ahead of her.

By KJW

May 2, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this

I’m really tired of the whole Jennifer ordeal. Whatever her reason for doing such a selfish thing, I think there has to be some recourse for her actions. When kids lie they get punished and she deserves punishment that fits the crime of not being true to her fiance’ and her family. I agree that John should cut his losses and leave her alone. Why accuse a person of color for her abduction? Since she is in the medical field, she should be made to go into the impoverished areas in metro Atl and serve the public along with a few others things I can think of. ….. Please make her accountable for her actions!!!!!!!

By Vincent

May 2, 2005 09:43 AM | Link to this

So what the majority of you are telling me is that this would have been worth it if the poor girl was found dead or held hostage and abused?!

So much for the benevolence of civil service. Those parents and fiancee do not have the resource and manpower that the police can provide. I do not mind paying taxes for this because it is what they’re supposed to be doing. I’m glad she’s alive and it was just a case of cold feet. Show a little mercy. please!

By N. Suarez

May 2, 2005 09:43 AM | Link to this

Yes, another “poor-little-rich-girl” should also grow up and face the music. Suggestions for this well-calculated hoax? Probation and repayment to law enforcement agencies (similar to the Wisconsin college student), serve community service hours working with missing persons organizations, AND issue a public apology for her deception.

By Eve

May 2, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this

This is clearly a demonstration of the corrupted class structure here in the land of “everyone treated equally.” With evidence leading to a staged cross-country kidnapping, with a fiance having to take a polygraph test, middle aged couples with blue mini-vans being profiled (even if it was just for a short time), and the country reved high in emotion, not prosecuting her would be an injustice. Cold feet is one thing, but a pre-meditated crime is another. If Martha didn’t get away with her lie, why should she? I’ve made mistakes, with no intentions of harming anyone, I was held accountable and was punished by law enforcements, so should she?? Her selfish assinine act will teach her a lesson. That’s what life is about. “We shouldn’t waste more tax payers money on prosecuting her,” that’s a bunch of bs and anyone who believes that know it. There is an entire demongraphic of innocent people serving time, in which tax payers wasted money was used to prosecute those people, yet we know what she did was a crime, but let’s not waste any more money…give me a break!

By Jennifer

May 2, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this

People! This was a premeditated action — it was not spontaneous. This poor little rich girl has to finally face reality, and the consequences of lying to her family, friends, and the police. Yes, she should repay the search expenses and be charged to the full extent of the law, like anyone else would be if they pulled this cruel stunt.

By Becca

May 2, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this

I will not show compassion for a woman who feels overwhelmed about a wedding. What about our soldiers who feel overwhelmed about being away from home for so long? They can’t just “get away.”

By Jessica

May 2, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this

I’m not so sure who should punish her. I believe she should be punished, but I believe she will get enough punishment and humiliation from the hurt and confusion she brought on her family and friends. If I was her mother, I’d tell her not even to come home, after she left in the middle of the night, on her own, without even calling me, and then a few days later we get a call from her, and later find out she just “got cold feet”…while we had people out in the woods looking for bodies. How selfish can you possibly be?!

By Shirl Baggett

May 2, 2005 09:46 AM | Link to this

I feel she put a lot of fear in the town of Duluth. I feel for her family for what they went through. For her to lie about an abduction was uncalled for. She should have to pay the cost of the police and others that was being paid. No way should she get off scott free.

By STACI

May 2, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this

I am disgusted an appalled at this whole situation. The people of duluth took time off from work. Her own mother could have died of a heart attack from grief, she was so distraught. I dont care if she had a panic attack or anxiety. She sure didnt have an attack when she lied and blamed it on an “hispanic male and white female”. And to think all she had to do was simply say “I’m not ready!” I am so tired of these sick men and women lying about simple things. It is pathetic.

By D

May 2, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this

I think she should be prosecuted. Instead of being honest, she fabricated a lie to gain sympathy. It’s not okay for women to break the law and use the excuse of emotional instability.

By Mary

May 2, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

What a horribly self-centered, selfish woman, to put her loved ones through something like that. What was preventing her from taking some money, leaving a note that says “I need some time” before running away, so at least they would know she was safe?

I think the money that was to be spent as a reward and the money that was to be spent on the wedding ought to go to a fund to search for women and children who actually [i]are[/i] missing.

If her fiance has any sense at all, he’ll run like crazy from this person! Why would anyone want to marry someone with absolutely no regard for anyone else but herself?

By Duluth Resident

May 2, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

“Until you walk in my shoes you will never understand me or what I’ve been through”. It’s so easy for us to judge her and her actions without knowing the entire story. True enough it was unfair to have everyone looking for her, it was unfair that her fiance had to be looked upon as a criminal, taking a lie detector test, and trying to expain himself… and unfortunately alot of people had to suffer for her rational thoughts or the lack of her thoughts…but she is home and safe…as we all prayed when we thought she was missing let’s continue to pray for the strength and clear understanding that she needs. We all are forgiven by God’s Grace, let’s put our feelings aside and pray for peace, mercy and grace.

By Jason Ring

May 2, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

Jennifer’s disappearance caused her family, friends, and surrounding communities so much sorrow. I prayed for her and her family throughout the ordeal only to find that she had staged the entire thing. It angers me because time and money was spent to find her not to mention the agony that she put her family through. She should be prosecuted and ordered to repay every penny of money spent on her search. Society has got to see that this is wrong and will not be tolerated. If this goes unpunished, there will come a time when law enforcement will stop taking missing persons cases so seriously, and people will die because law enforcement won’t do as much as they could have. We now have the Amber Alert and so many other innovations that are saving lives. We need to respect law enforcement and not allow citizens to make a mockery of them with such hoaxes.

By Laura

May 2, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this

So, does the Atlanta public believe that leaving town without telling anyone should be a punishable crime, and that searches for missing persons are worth it only when there is an unhappy outcome?

By gil

May 2, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

I think Jennifer’s behavior is an OUTRAGE. First, she has a community, then the entire nation wondering if she is dead or alive. Countless man hours and law enforcement resources were wasted. What’s going to happen when someone really gets abducted? Second, an innocent person could have had their lives destroyed because she decided to make up the story of her being abducted. It seems it’s the “in” thing to blame a black or Latino when someone decides they don’t want to get married or run away from home, right? Marcy, I agree with you..It is a mockery of those who are abducted and never make it back alive. While I am glad she is not dead, I am still very angry at her. If you didn’t want to get married, Jennifer, you could have talked about it with your fiancee. Mr. Mason, you can do a lot better. Shame on you, Jennifer

By Lucky

May 2, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this

Ok, lets be reaal. If she was black would the media dnd CARING city of Atlanta would have cared?? I think not. Do you know how many African American women go missing in the city of Atlanta. Does Atlanta put of one effort to go searching for the missing? I think not. There are more important thing going on than to worry about this head case being charged and why she ran away. I very upset that women are missing everyday, with hopes of returning home to their families and she pulls a stunt like this. Then LIE and say she was abducted. Geesh give me a break.

By Harley

May 2, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

I do not think jail time is the answer for Jennifer Wilbanks, BUT I do believe she needs to pay some sort of restitution. If she had just called her parents or John Mason the very first day, all the resources used to search for her would not have been wasted.

I worry that a case like this will diminish the search for REAL missing persons. I hope she gets the help she desparately seems to need. I also think it speaks volumes that neither of her parents was at the airport to meet her.

By Eric

May 2, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

This lady should be ashamed of herself. She is just a selfish, spoiled, little brat that wanted someone to feel sorry for her. If she didn’t want to get married, she should have sat down with her fiance to discuss the situation like adults. I am pretty sure that could have come up with something better than her running away. She should be charged and prosecuted to the highest extent of the law.

By Jennifer

May 2, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

POST BY ‘NOT HER FAULT’ — “Nothing should happen to this woman. She broke no laws leaving on her own. The job of law enforcement is to solve cases. Wheter the case ends up good or bad. In this case, it was good because she was alive. Only thing she is guilty of is lieing. But she told the truth right after that. So now you want to punish her for leaving. Would you want to be punished for taking a trip and not telling no one. That’s our right as U.S. citizens”

Good God!! Posts like this one are scary. Totally WRONG on all issues. She did break the law when she lied to law enforcement about the circumstances and cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. ‘Not her fault’ is obviously living off my taxpaying dollars too, and doesn’t take responsibility for anything in his/her life! How sad….

By PP

May 2, 2005 10:52 AM | Link to this

Whew. Thank god she is alive and safe. I was worried for days that we were going to have another situation where there is a serial killer who decided to abduct and kill someone. That said, She really should have left a note to her fiance. That would have been enough to where he didn’t call the police and no harm done. I cannot understand why anyone would let loved ones suffer so. I feel as though she boxed herself into a corner when she realized the propensity of this situation, so she invented the abduction story. The people I feel sorry for is her parents and her fiance. They are the ones who had to wonder if she was dead or alive. She does have some issues to work out and some people (police dept and volunteers who searched for her) to apologize to. Perhaps the reward money should be donated to the police dept. They have been very sympathetic and generous with their efforts in this search.

By rob

May 2, 2005 10:56 AM | Link to this

you can be darn sure, that every bride getting married in the next few weeks, will be searched repeatedly for bus tickets…

By TA

May 2, 2005 10:57 AM | Link to this

I think that she should pay for the man hours that it cost to look for her and there should be consequences for filing a false report. Unfortunately, her race and economic status played a part in how this escalated to the point in which it did. If she were a black female, the news would not have been so widespread, and if a black female would have lied to the police, they would have made up several charges against her and that’s when it would have hit the national news.

By marcus henry

May 2, 2005 10:58 AM | Link to this

She should go to jail for giving false statements.

By Hilda

May 2, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this

I heard on the radio this morning what I thought was a great idea. Donate to the City of Duluth the award money of $100,000.
Jennifer needs to donate time to John Walsh and the groups looking for the missing children that are helpless. Her boyfriend should walk away.

By tarmar

May 2, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

Geez…prosecuting her would just drag this silly story out even longer. If the police departments feel like figuring up a bill, bill her. Maybe discount the total due if she’s willing to undergo some counseling. Let’s let it go…quickly.

By RB

May 2, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

As a former Duluth resident, it is amazing to me the stories coming out of this nice little community lately. Ms. Wilbanks obviously had some issues leading up to her wedding. My biggest concern is the racism implied in her effort to “explain” her disappearance. In hindsight, it’s easy for us rational folks to suggest how she should have handled the situation, but she obviously was not in a “rational” state of mind. Restitution to law enforcement costs and community service is warranted, but also mental health assessment and counseling might also be in order. Best wishes to her and her family.

By Atlanta citizen

May 2, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of judgmental individuals. My, my….so many stones flying into the face of this “horrible” “spoiled” “rotten” person. None of you are rotten in any way at all….well….except for being judgmental and hypocritical. Certainly deserving of the same sympathy you send out to Jennifer Wilbanks.

By William

May 2, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

Congratulations Jennifer, you successfully invited the entire nation to your wedding!

By Freddie

May 2, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

I can understand someone getting cold feet, However she has too many friends that she could have talked to. As a tax paying citizen I think she should have to pay for the overtime of the Officers that have been looking for her,there are too many crimes being commited while, she is out playing games. I also read one comment that related this incident to being a matter of color, I think people ahould leave race out of everything.

By Gina

May 2, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this

Why is the disappearance of yet another white woman so important? Women of other races disappear every day and nothing is said of them. There are hispanic women being found dead in the desert between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico every week. This has happened for years and nothing has been done.

She did a disservice to every woman who is a potential or future victim. Make an example of her and ensure others won’t pull the same stunt!

By Lauren Leach

May 2, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this

What she did was unbelievably selfish. She needs to pay a fine for all the trouble she caused. Not punishing her would send the wrong message.

By C H Lawson

May 2, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

The Jennifer Willbank escapade is an excellent case against the death penalty. Just assume what would have happened to her fiance if she had actually been abducted and disappeared on her bus trip. The media and many people had already “convicted” him of her disappearance. If she had not surfaced, the road to the gas chamber for a man we now know to be innocent looked to be possible.

By BagLady

May 2, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

And she should be prosecuted for WHAT exactly? There’s no crime in leaving home and not telling anyone where you are going. People do it everyday and are never seen again; it isn’t against the law. And as for making false statements, she made those statements AFTER the searching was done not before. Yes, she was selfish and made thoughtless choice to run away rather than face her family or even write a note - but that isn’t criminal.

By Takara

May 2, 2005 11:11 AM | Link to this

I am very glad she is safe, and I do feel empathy for Ms. Wilbanks. She must have been in quite a state to have felt driven to such a desperate state. She seems rather unstable and needs some counseling to get her life in order.

Simply being a missing person is not a crime. However, she did break the law when she made a false report. But it sounds as though the Albuquerque police force and NM legal system will not be prosecuting. Although the case may not be prosecuted, some form of restitution is in order here. She could have, at any point, called home to say she was safe but needed some time and was not ready to marry. Instead, she carried out a 4 day deception on family members, law enforcement and the community. This was not just a distraught bride. She planned it ahead of time. A 32 year old should know that it is far better to face the music and be honest than to carry out the farce she planned. I think of all the people that were terrified of the worst and put their lives on hold while she was taking a little vacation.

I hope the wedding planners, caterers, florist, etc. will all be compensated. This is one more strike against having a pretentious, overblown wedding. A small, intimate wedding is much more memorable and far less stressful. In the end, it is the marriage that is important, not the wedding.

By Eric B.

May 2, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

To John Mason-RUN, RUN, RUN

By Rick B.

May 2, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

Jennifer is obviously spoiled and self-centered..and needs to bear responsibility for her actions. The Police Dept should to repaid for all expenses incurred and she should have to do community service. My advise to her fiance….RUN!!!

By Mari

May 2, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

She should be allowed to move on and folks should start talking about something else

This was not some elaborate kidnap hoax. She simply decided to leave. It was only one phone call when she said she was kidnapped and that was after the media hoopla had gotten out of control. Not to mention, she immediately recanted.

She’s a grown woman, she had every right to go wherever she chose. The police and her family decided to hunt for her and spend exorbitant amounts of money. She couldn’t control that.

By Dan

May 2, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this

Why all the concern about her? I want to know what her fiance is going to do. Police wanted to do a poly, but he only agreed if it were video taped. The police declined under those rules and public opinion moved like he was the next Scott Peterson. This is what she put him through. He should tell her to just stay at her parent’s house.

By katie

May 2, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this

Jennifer should be held liable. It took tax payers money and the authorities time to look for Jennifer. She knew exactly what she was doing because she changed her appearance beyond recognition. She lied about being kidnaped.It seems as though Jennifer remembered “Sleeping with the Enemy” (Julia Roberts) baseball cap, cutting the hair, traveling to another place not telling anyone, everybody thought that she was dead. Oh Come On! Give Me A Break Jennifer!

By K

May 2, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this

Jennifer didn’t ask for this. Imagine leaving a situation and then seeing yourself all over the news. Gwinnett County didn’t even give her a whole 24 hours. She may have planned to call her family soon after she reached Vegas. This was all over the news before she even made it half way to Vegas.Maybe she was forced to try and save face by creating this story. Suppose no one outside of her family and friends were aware she was missing. If she just came home after 3 days it would not have been a crime. Gwinnett County is to blame for spending excessively on this event, if in fact they did spend money on the search. With 600 guests invited to the wedding, how can we be sure the 100 or so people who looked for her were police and rescue members?

By Shannon

May 2, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this

How sad is it that Jennifer felt this was the only way she could let everyone know that it was all getting to be too much for her?

By J

May 2, 2005 11:16 AM | Link to this

I think she should be charged for making false statements and wasting time, energy and money of all parties that were used to follow her lie. If a monetary solution is the call, then the $100K the family offered should be used. Her actions puts a real damper on the responses of others who “really” need help when something unlawful happens to them. Now the public will be leary of anyone who really is abducted!!.. She should pay for her neglect for the feeling & time of others!

By Kim Collins

May 2, 2005 11:17 AM | Link to this

I honestly believe had Jennifer been a minority, the search would not have been as swift and extensive. This whole ordeal angers me because she could have just told the guy she didn’t want to marry him and saved our tax dollars. In addition, she will most likely benefit from her deception through book deals and movie offers. She hasn’t done anything courageous. To be honest, I’m tired of hearing this girl’s name. Let’s move on.

By Michael

May 2, 2005 11:18 AM | Link to this

It is hard to know exactly what to do about this situation: On one side: of course, everyone is happy that this lady did not in fact meet torture, death, and degradation like so many other women have met. And, of course, none of us are immune to doing absolutely stupid things, even as otherwise responsible and upstanding family members, community leaders, and people of faith. On the other side: this is not a teenager from a parent-less family who simply told a white lie. This was a seemingly calculated act by 30-something para professional from a family of apparent means. Her understandable (would you want to face the music of such a huge mistake?) yet expensive deception cost countless dollars, time, and energy of so many. Surely, some type of restitution seems in order.

In short, maybe this is just another one of the strange nuances of being in the human race — apparently with multiple logical opinions with numerous choices from there. Though unsettling, isn’t it good that we still can participate in the crazy, topsy tervy ordeal called life!

By Tracy

May 2, 2005 11:18 AM | Link to this

There is a 13 year old that has missing from the Stone Mountain area since March and there has been absoluty any coverage what so ever what kind of world do we live in if all we care about is grown (32 year old )liars who get cold feet becomes a bigger priorty over actual missing children. i too was very concerned for the whereabouts and safe return of this woman. If she has to pay a fine can all of it be donated to help real missing people

By polly

May 2, 2005 11:19 AM | Link to this

She’s 32 years old. She can take off anytime she wants too. Yes, I don’t think this was a particularly good time to take off. But she did. Its not a crime. The police chose to search.

All she needs to do is find a way to make it right with her family and friends. The only payment will need to go for the wedding expenses.

By JS

May 2, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

She should repay all costs to the City of Duluth. She should be prosecuted for filing a false statement. No special treatment. Why was she picked up at the Atlanta airport by a State Patrol car? As a State of Georgia taxpayer I resent this. She should have enough money to repay all of this by the time she sells her story to Hollywood, book deals, interviews, etc.

By Susan

May 2, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

I feel first she needs to apologize to the community and the law enforcement agencies that she caused panic to. Then to the hispanic community for saying she was abducted by a hispanic male and a white woman in a blue van. I am a white woman married to an hispanic man and I drive a blue SUV & I live in Duluth…. Thanks Jennifer! Second I feel she needs to pay back any costs that she has caused to Duluth & Georgia. Then Apologize to our children that we kept in the house secrued in not allowed to go outside because we were all scared to death. Explain that what she did was a very Childish Act.

By Susan, a person who happens to be white

May 2, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

Missing persons of all races and economic levels deserve equal media time. Let’s turn this terrible Jennifer Wilbanks fiasco into something positive! Why can’t every missing person in the U.S. be shown on TV on a 24-hr. regular basis? This could be a thumbnail appearing in the corner with name, date and location of disappearance. Possibly info could be put in the crawl instead of news we already know. Or the station ID could include a picture of a missing person (make the peacock or other logo smaller). Advertisers could sponsor mini-ads showing the person’s photo. They’d get great publicity from the family when the person is found. I’d buy from a company that helped! Imagine if C-SPAN and others did this somewhere on the screen around the clock! Everyone, regardless of race or money, would get equal media time on a rotating basis. We need to look at some way of curbing the uneven news coverage of Wilbanks types. Think about it and share your ideas.

By Kris

May 2, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this

She needs to be charged. This was a planned act as she had bought her ticket a week earlier. She wasted tax payers $, when they could have been looking for a REAL crisis, SHAME ON HER!!!!!!!

By injuredplaya

May 2, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this

She should be charge a federal felony, having the FBI involved!

By pat

May 2, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this

Why not let her conduct a five year community service program where she assists women that really have to flee for their lives because of domestic violence, rape, etc. She has really done a disservice to women, hispanics and the many individuals that took time of out of their lives to search for her selfish behind.

By Jennifer

May 2, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this

Yes, I do believe she should have charges brought against her for lying about her kidnapping and she should have to pay back all of the money that was spent on searching for her.

She is an adult and should have exercised better judgement when picking up the phone to lie about her kidnapping. Maybe she did not know how much publicity she would receive when announced she was missing, but she still should not have lied. Period.

Throughout a lot of posts on different topics, a lot of times it boils down to simply being consequences for actions and I believe that applies here, too.

By Ivy

May 2, 2005 11:27 AM | Link to this

Her family’s wealth has nothing to do w/ her debt to the City of Duluth. She is an adult and should be solely responsible for paying the city back should they charge her. While I’m glad that she was found safe and unharmed, I feel that she should now be charged w/ a crime….she shouldn’t have lied about being kidnapped….she should have just admitted she had cold feet and she could have called someone to let them know she was ok long before late Friday night. Her family seemed close-knit so she would have had to assume that they would be worried about her if she had gone missing for a few days w/o contact. I feel bad for her fiance and even worse for her family for their suffering in her disappearance. I hope she at least gets charged w/ filing a false police report…….her story makes it harder the next time should someone really come up missing. She should feel awful for lying….afterall, she’s 32 yrs old and if she didn’t feel like getting married or had an extreme case of nervous jitters aka “cold feet” she should have just said that to her fiance, family and friends and postponed the wedding. It ended up being the end result anyway.

By David

May 2, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this

Leave her alone! It’s not her fault the media & law enforcement over reacted to the situation. Everyone seemed to want this to be a case for the 24/7 media-types to sink their teeth into. The lesson learned here is for US to not assume the worse after a few short hours. The money spent is the price we pay for over reacting.

By Anonymous

May 2, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this

While what she did was very disrespectful to her fiance, family and friends, she’s a grown woman, and if she needed to get away, that’s her right, I’m just glad things turned out the way they did, and that she’s ok.

By Jerry

May 2, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this

This is obviouslty an eloborate hoax, cutting hair, leaving identification, prepurchasing tickets. Come on Atlanta. And then indicating that a hispanic was involved. This woman deserves everything she gets. Think about the expense it took for some of her guests to get here, for a wedding with no bride. Remember she didn’t have any money to get home, so had the authorities not looked for her, she would’ve been stuck in New Mexico.

By Lynn

May 2, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this

A RESOUNDING Yes!Jennifer Wilbanks should be prosecuted and make to repay the money spent during the search for her. Make an example of her of why this behavior is totally unacceptable.

I am extemely angry at her for what she did for the Atlanta community and the nation as a whole. There are many, many African American and Hispanic women who go missing everyday. They NEVER receive the media attention of Jennifer Wilbanks, Lori Hacking or Laci Peterson. What the families of those victims would give for the community to care about their loved-one! Ms. Wilbanks totally took advantage of people’s love and compassion and made the nation look foolish in the face of her prank. Now, media outlets everywhere are reconsidering whether they should put that much effort into missing person stories in the future! What if that is you or I the next time? Will the media still be quite so quick to provide aid and support? She is forgiven, but she still needs to pay!

By Kay

May 2, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this

I can’t understand why she didn’t just leave her fiance a Dear John letter. At least then his humiliation wouldn’t have made national headlines. The most sickening aspect of this mess is Jennifer’s “Susan Smith-esque” creation of the non-white (read: Black or Hispanic) perpetrator. Jennifer, I’m glad you’re alive and well, but next time save the drama for a more fitting “arena”, like the Jerry Springer Show.

By Bulldog

May 2, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this

If we are going to jail everyone who makes false statements to the police, then we will need enough space for everyone… “Speeding,, sonny?…No Officer”… I would think that the DA should focus on some of the real crimes in Gwinnett, not this one.

Leave the lady alone. She is obviously in a crisis that will haunt her for the rest of her life. I only pray for her that she will survive it and for you that wish to stone her when she is down.

Together in Christ!

By LinnyLee

May 2, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this

At 32 yrs. old she is well aware of what this would do to her family. Grow up Jennifer! Scissors? Bus Ticket? Money? The drama queen knew exactly what she was doing. The dramatic disappearance! Obviously not concerned one speck about what her family, finance’ or anyone else would feel. It will be a travesty if the govt lets her get away w/it. Payback EVERYTHING Jennifer. There are consequences in life. Time that Jennifer learned that!

By felicia

May 2, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this

She should at the VERY LEAST be prosecuted for making a false report to poloice in New Mexico.

By Jeff

May 2, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

The runaway bride should be so ashamed for putting her family and friends through this ordeal. Something is seriously wrong with anyone that would do such a thing. I personally praise the boyfriend for placing some demands on a second lie detector test. Most of Atlanta had him “guilty” the moment he placed a few demands for his own security. One never knows what goes on behind closed doors and he is to be commended for standing up for his own rights. I don’t believe the $100,000 of the parents’ money should pay the bills. I believe the bride should have to use her own money to pay the county for the inconvenience, the time spent on this foolish act and mistake.

By ed daniel

May 2, 2005 11:39 AM | Link to this

I think people should lay off. All she did was leave. That is not against the law. Yes she briefly lied about being abducted but that lie in itself was not expensive. That there were costs involved in searching for her is unfortunate but I am glad to know our society responds so quickly to missing persons. That she dissappeared a few days before her wedding should have clued people in to her motives in this case. I think she should be shown compassion and privacy and we should all forget about it.

By JMK

May 2, 2005 11:39 AM | Link to this

Yes, it’s a free country, and yes, people have the right to leave home, but when they don’t tell anyone, do they expect their relatives and their community to just shrug their shoulders & go about their business? Do they expect the police to ignore the family who was begging them for help & handing out flyers & setting up billboards? The family was on TV begging for help in finding this woman and insisting that she would never run off on her own. The family, police, etc., had NO WAY of KNOWING that she had CHOSEN to leave. So they had NO CHOICE but to look for her. She deserves to be punished and her family deserves sympathy for having to deal with her & all of what she has caused.

By Action in Missing

May 2, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

I feel that anyone over the age of 18 can become missing if they choose to. However, this step is two fold. The 1st one being a legal choice. The 2nd being a crime if a flase statement is made to the police.This is a Crime. Also, I feel it is “LOW”! to say that someone kidnapped you! She could have just faded into the sunset…She is “32” years old, not “12” She should be prosecuted!

By Sonja

May 2, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

There is nothing wrong with changing your mind about getting married. People do that all that time. The problem I have is this woman LIED, claimed she was kidnapped by a Hispanic man and a white woman, with weapons. She had a whole town worried sick about her, and her family and friends worried about her. What she did was selfish!!!! In light of women being snatched by strangers and murdered, or killed by their husbands boyfriends what she did was wrong, wrong, wrong. Her poor fiancé was being looked at as a potential suspect, and now her family and friends have to deal with the embarrassment that she LIED. What she did may not be a crime, changing your mind is not a crime, but she did was selfish!!!! As far as I’m concerned she is already being punished. Using more tax money to prosecute her would be a complete waste!!! I don’t condone how she handled her situation, but save the jails for the true criminals.

Jennifer should be held liable for the money spent on her search. She could have left a note to her fiancé, and her family saying “I’m sorry, don’t worry about me, but I just can’t do this right now.�

If you all recall last year a woman claimed she was kidnapped, but it was found she lied, wanting attention from her boyfriend. She was made to pay the $9,000 back to the authorities, and made to serve community service. I say Jennifer should have to also pay the funds back, and be made to help look for a real missing person should the need arise.

She needs to make a public apology. Face the media and the concerned strangers in the community who was actually worried about her. For nothing!!!

What she did was uncalled for.

By Page

May 2, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this

Aww hell, let her pick up the tab to pay for the police work and be done with it.

By Timothy O'Kennon

May 2, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this

This stunt pulled by Miss Willbanks should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

It is a shame that, if in the future something bad DOES happen to her, her credibility is shot. She should thank God that she had so many concerned about her, and she should pray that at least a fraction of those will still stand by her.

By Scott

May 2, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

I agree that there are bigger, more serious criminals to be prosecuted. But I also agree that, if no action taken, there will be a precedent set. What I think should remedy the situation and be beneficial for all involved if Jennifer agrees to do 500 hours community service over 2 years. She looks like she is remorseful and the community gets to put her to work for the betterment of the people of Duluth.

By Randy

May 2, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

Hi Folks,

As a Duluth resident, I’m proud of the way our town responded to the situation last week. I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for both the Mason & Wilbanks families for what they’ve been through.

I’m disappointed with the number of folks that seem to think Ms. Wilbanks should be prosecuted for her actions as I think she’ll suffer plenty in the coming days and weeks both from her family and her community without any legal punishment at all. While she apparently needs some help with communications and other issues, she will likely need much more help getting through the aftermath of this decision.

As to financially reimbursing the agencies that looked for her, I think folks should back off. Both families are strong on community involvement (and it was evident last week by the outpouring of support) and have track records of doing “right” by their communities.

For the folks that think the search was conducted differently because she’s rich, white and her family is active in the community, I hope you can recognize that the last point is the most important. The volunteers in Duluth turned out to help hunt for her because of the FAMILY & community involvement that our community believes in and the Mason family has been practicing for many years. If you want folks to notice when you go missing, contribute while you are here.

By Spook

May 2, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

She should make financial restitution. Everyone seems to have overlooked all the expenses such as florists, reception facilities, bride’s maid dresses, airline tickets for those traveling from out of town that they got stuck for, not to mention the police.

By Randall

May 2, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

Mark Davis, you are a marked man in Albuquerque! The Jennifer story aside for a moment, this city is the most beautiful one in the Southwest. Your degrading comments regarding our city come from Atlanta: a bland, fading, wannabe city that General Sherman had the right idea about. As for Jennifer, take her back to your narrow-minded, medieval culture. Those of us here in paradise know exactly why she chose to come here: she had a brief taste of Eden in the Promised Land. As soon as her family, church, and community are finished brainwashing her, I’m sure she will find her way back here to liberty and autonomy. Mark Davis, you are a dusty old reporter in need of a paint job!!

By Armando Vizuete

May 2, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

Spoiled, insecure, inmature, and starving for attention. All that is not a crime, but wasting TAXPAYER’S money is. If this lady’s family forgives her, thats fine. But the state SHOULD NOT. Every bride has cold feet, but this is ridiculous; so is this a trend that this lady has started?….will we let this go unpunisehed?…NO…WE SHOULD NOT. How many other tasks could the people searching for her could have been acomplishing?..I want to know how much it cost taxpayers to look for this selfish rich girl?..as a taxpayer I demand to know!!!! Truth of the matter is that she needs to pay….somehow. Please. Lets make this stunt an example of what not should be done again.

By Ken

May 2, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

Prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law, and have her pay all expenses incurred for the ridiculous search to find her. What a waste of our taxpayer’s dollars, individual volunteer’s time that was so generously donated, and all of our concern that went out to the family and her fiancee. If an example is not set here, we will see more of this “look at me” attention-grabbing stuff!

By Shari

May 2, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

She has acted like a child through this entire ordeal! Maybe that is why they gave her a teddy bear to carry with her through the airport. Her fiance should have been the one with cold feet. I think I would seriously be reconsidering this relationship.

By BKS

May 2, 2005 11:44 AM | Link to this

I would expect something like this from an 18 year old, but 32? She could be a mother raising kids and she pulls this stunt?

By Cindy

May 2, 2005 11:44 AM | Link to this

I think what she did was wrong but I think she was scared and didn’t know what to do. She did this stupid act instead of confronting her fiancee and her family about her feelings. She obviously needs counseling. Just think of all the money that was wasted on this huge wedding that didn’t happen and all the law enforcement officials time and efforts and time away from their families searching for her. She should have handled her “cold feet” a different way. I don’t think she should be prosecuted but I think she should pay for the OT that was put in.

By Eileen

May 2, 2005 11:44 AM | Link to this

First of all, thank god Jennifer is OK! Having said that, the anxiety she has put her friends and family through is something a 32 year old WOMEN should have understood is not proper behavior. As for the friends and neighbors of this area she owes an enormous apology and I do believe criminal charges should be filed, lying to police and making false accusations of a crime should not be tolerated.. I am the mom of a 22 year old single mom living in Alpharetta, a town a short distance from Duluth, the anxiety and concern for Jennifer and all young women in that area obviously became a source of stress and overwhelmingly concern for all in the North Atlanta area. As we know this is a changing world we should not have to focus our time and concern on a WOMENS fictitious story. How many real crimes were committed in this area that sources and manpower should have had the opportunity to work on i.e.: child abuse, gang activity, domestic violence, since this consumed the United States on Tuesday evening

By Gil

May 2, 2005 11:45 AM | Link to this

in regards to “K”..Yes, by falsely accusing someone of abducting her, sending the community into a frenzy, wasting the time, manpower and resources of local, state and federal authorities, she DID ask for it. I’m out in public at a cafe watching the CNN coverage, and everyone is saying “Mr. Mason did it”, “he’s guilty”. So I don’t understand why you are so easy on her.

All she had to do was talk to, write or e-mail Mr. Mason and say: “Hey, I need some time to think about this, and would like to go away for a few days”. If it were my fiancee, I would have understood. I might not be happy at the moment, but it would be better than this.

By Doug

May 2, 2005 11:45 AM | Link to this

This is a 32 year old woman, not a “young” woman or lady as people have referred to her. She should be a mature, grown up adult. Now she is getting a teddy bear and naming in “Al from Albuqurque”. Give me a break.

Yes she made some serious lapses in judgment and guess what?? For a 32 year old woman, they should have consequences and while everyone should forgive her there is a price to be paid and she should pay it.

By karen

May 2, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this

I don’t think Jennifer should be charged. Yes you should have made a better emotional decision in the way she handled not being at her wedding. However that isn’t a crime. Police authorities were doing their job and the fact it involved extra hours and men is something they are used to. This is the nature of their job.

By Lala

May 2, 2005 11:48 AM | Link to this

The appropriate punishment should be as follows: A. Pay restitution for expenses incurred in the search. B. Perform community service for one hour per each number of guests & family member that was affected by her leaving. C. The real “payback” would be to force her to get married. (That could be a lifetime of regret!)

By C.J.

May 2, 2005 11:48 AM | Link to this

It truly is sad that the media was licking its’ lips for another “Scott Peterson” tragedy to unfold. I think if they end up together, the immediate case for foul play should be changed to lunacy on his part.

By Laura

May 2, 2005 11:50 AM | Link to this

Let’s not compound the many so called wasted hours spent searching by having the DA’s office spend many more to prosecute.
The situation is unfortunate to say the least and her actions beyond comprehension for most of us. However, it should now be left to her family, friends, church & health professionals to resolve. Let us all move on to real news! She’s had her 15 minutes of fame.

By Dell

May 2, 2005 11:51 AM | Link to this

Well it is easy for us to say what she does or does not need to happen to her, yes she did a really stupid thing and yes she should be held accountable for her actions. But you know as a mother I think about how many stupid things my kids did as teens and how much stress they put us through. But we still love them just like Jennifers parents love her. She needs some help in the worst way, but she is human and does have to continue to live and it is so not our job to judge her for what she did. It really is easy for all of us to tell how we feel about why she did or did not do this . But remember until you have walked in another persons shoes dont be so quick to judge them.

The saddness for her will come when she watches the videos of her father crying and her fiancee having to take the lie detector test. I think it will be enough punishment for her to have to live with this whole ordeal.Just remember guys it could have just as well been your loved one.

And yes I agree she really needs to grow up quite a bit before she even considers getting married or having children.

By Michael

May 2, 2005 11:51 AM | Link to this

One question: would Jennifer Wilbanks be home ow IF SHE DID NOT RUN OUT OF MONEY? Would she still be on the go, still befriending some more un-suspecting do-gooder’s that would soon turn into possible suspects? Would she still be so forth right if she had some cash in her pockets? Did she come home because she has some how found out the truth of facing life rather than running from it, or did she simply run out of money and get caught?

By Lucinda Ballard

May 2, 2005 11:53 AM | Link to this

Freddie dear, I’m sorry the race implications are bothering you…and that goes for anyone else who’d like to “leave race out of everything.” It sounds nice in theory, but when you come out of that little bubble you’re thinking in, you’ll realize that race (along with class, gender, affiliations, etc.) unfortunately plays a major part in our social landscape. Marissa made a very critical - and TRUE - point that most of you would like to overlook. I will reiterate…if Wilbanks had been Black - or minority of any kind, this story would never have made it pass the 11:00 evening news the Tuesday of Jennifer’s disapperance! And that’s assuming it would have even made news at all. Indeed she be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Those of us of darker hues and/or less prominent family backgrounds would NEVER, EVER, EVER get away with this kind of foolishness! Neither should Jennifer. I too prayed for her and everytime I think of the anguish on her mother’s face and seeing this lady break down on the news, it makes me think they need to put little miss “I’m so stressed” UNDER THE JAIL for a mintute!!!! It’s a tough and demanding life these days, hell, the vast majority of us are stressed beyond measure!!!

By Dianne

May 2, 2005 11:53 AM | Link to this

If she doesn’t want to get married FINE, if she has cold feet FINE, but at the very least she could have left a note so that her poor family and friends would not have had to suffer with this for days. A simple note would have avoided all this time, expense and manpower to look for her. I can’t believe a 32 yr old woman could be this selfish. I too believe she should have to pay and pay dearly.

By Art

May 2, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this

The Gwinnett County D A should throw the book at her, her fiance should kiss her goodbye and her parents should get her medical attention asap. No excuse for a 32 year old to behave the way she did.

Art

By MB

May 2, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this

Maybe they should have just went to Ringgold.

By Gil

May 2, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this

Randy,

With all due respect, I admire the way your community pulled together to search for her. However, the fact remains that she LIED about what happened, accused someone falsely of abducting her (which you failed to mention), and her fiancee was on the verge of possibly facing serious legal consequences for something he did NOT do. So before you tell us to back off, please look at the whole picture.

By George Wright

May 2, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

No No No. Don’t wish for her case to be a Runaway Bride story one day…and then when you get your wish, get mad about it. This family has enough concerns without anyone exacting any kind of revenge for her ruse. She’s alive. It’s a happy ending. Time for the rest of us to butt out.

By Lynne

May 2, 2005 11:59 AM | Link to this

The punishment should fit the crime. The monies used for the search should be reimbursed by her and she should be required to receive some mental treatment. It would make no sense for her to spend any amount of time in jail.

By Leslie

May 2, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this

As I stated before…

Everyone needs to be careful of their words when condemning this woman. You never know when this could be your family.

Another point…my dad said he didn’t care if we were walking down the isle and I didn’t want to get married to just tell him…and I would.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY—no matter how old you are!

By cmj

May 2, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this

Randall, I just read your post on how Mark Davis is a marked man in Albuquerque. Did you actually read the article? He did not state how bad Albuquerque was on a personal note, it was the residents of Albuquerque wondering why she came there.

By Mark

May 2, 2005 12:02 PM | Link to this

The difference is, this is a 32 year old woman, she should know better. All she had to do was tell ONE person. It was on the news, she didn’t care about her family, friends, or fiancee. And yes, it cost a LOT of money, money that taxpayers should not be asked to pay.

By Regina

May 2, 2005 12:02 PM | Link to this

She should be prosecuted and pay a portion of the law enforcement expenses!!

By Russell Shaw

May 2, 2005 12:02 PM | Link to this

Well, Jennifer’s future in-laws were going to post a $100K award. That means they would have some resources to pay back part of the cost incurred in the search. I’d settle on 50% of payback for officer overtime.

Jennifer should also perform community service. Since she’s an assistant in a medical office, put those skills to work in the community she has inconvenienced… 200 hours or so of community service office work for the Gwinnett County Health Dept. would help even the score.

By Patrice

May 2, 2005 12:05 PM | Link to this

I do not think Jennifer Willbanks should be prosecuted, but I do however think she should be responsible for the costs that law enforcement had to spend on her search. It’s not for me or you to judge why she pulled this stunt. Jennifer should have spoken to a therapist, minister or fiance if she was concerned or unsure about getting marriage. I am sympathetic to Jennifer’s fiance as well as Jennifer. All I can say is that God answers all prayers. God will definitely forgive you. God is Jennifer’s greatest supporter and I do not think a public apology is necessary. I think she is at one of the lowest points in her life and it’s up to her family, friends, fiance and of course God to forgive her. I’m not saying that what she has done was right, and as I stated before she should have to pay back law enforcer and maybe even community services, but being prosecuted is unnecessary. I do think with time and forgiveness that Jennifer and her family will get through this.

By Q

May 2, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this

Mari wrote”….This was not some elaborate kidnap hoax. She simply decided to leave. It was only one phone call when she said she was kidnapped and that was after the media hoopla had gotten out of control. Not to mention, she immediately recanted.”

Mari, I think that you are wrong. This was an elaborate hoax. She planned the entire thing….pre-purchasing a bus ticket (that cannot be traced) and not an airline ticket (which she obviously could afford), cutting her hair and strategically putting a piece in the woods to imply kidnapping, and then lying to state and federal authorities. Obviously, the kidnapping story was premeditated because she was gonna have to tell some story whenever she resurfaced.

By Todd

May 2, 2005 12:07 PM | Link to this

Jennifer Wilbanks lied to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. Martha Stewart went to jail for lying. Bill Clinton was impeached for lying. Likewise, Jennifer Wilbanks should not go without some sort of punishment. At the very least, the law enforcement agencies involved should send her the bill for the time and equipment they used to search for her.

What troubles me more is how the media latched onto this story. This was just one missing-person case in how many in the country? Twenty? A hundred? Five hundred? But the media grabbed onto this particular story and wouldn’t let go, no doubt hoping they had another Laci Peterson-type story to grip the nation for the next few weeks, or at least until the next young, pretty, white woman went missing.

Regardless, it’s time these spoiled rich people are made to realize that their selfish actions have consequences, that the world, alas, does not revolve around them.

By Keith

May 2, 2005 12:07 PM | Link to this

I agree with a previous comment that no more of the tax payers money should be spent to prosecute this woman. To try to compare what she did with other stupid acts of immature adolescents is irresponsible. The torment that she put the people that, for some ungodly reason, love her is unforgivable to me. If her fiance is smart, he’ll find him someone that cares for people other than themselves. This act is one of the most selfish acts I have ever heard of.

By lavada laviner-vance

May 2, 2005 12:07 PM | Link to this

I am glad that jennifer is alive and well. As a mother of a murderd daughter whose case is still unsolved i would just like to say that Jennifer should be prosicuted!!! She should also have to pay back every dime that the police had spent on her and to the volinters who helped. NOt only did she wast valuble police time, her storie was on the americas most wanted web site witch could have been used for REAL CRIMINALS CASES!!! A simple slap on the wrist and i’m sorry will not do,as this might lead others to do the same thing, then no one will have time to look for the real crimnials!!!!

By Chantel

May 2, 2005 12:09 PM | Link to this

Yes, absolutely should she be prosecuted! One simple note or phone call could’ve avoided all of this. Her poor fiance— not only did he have to deal with the fear of thinking his fiance had been kidnapped, but the fingers were starting to point at him.

By John

May 2, 2005 12:09 PM | Link to this

I think she should pay rstitution for all expenses incurred and perform community service!!!!

By Lynn

May 2, 2005 12:11 PM | Link to this

I am mortified at what this 32 year old woman did emotionally to her family and friends. To watch her family in those press conferences just about to fall apart and to now know this “woman” premeditated this selfish act on her own is unbelieveable. She needs to pay the city of Duluth back, publicly apologize and do community service. Her “fiance” should run not walk away from this tradegy.

By Robin S

May 2, 2005 12:11 PM | Link to this

Leaving without telling folks is not against the law. It was only because of who the families were that an all out search took place. If it was one of us average folk, a missing person’s report would have been filed and that would have been the end of it.

By Leah

May 2, 2005 12:12 PM | Link to this

I am a middle school teacher and this sounds like something one of my students would do.

I agree with a caller on Larry King last night - she should have to wear a bright orange suit and be required to pick up trash off the side of the highways - putting in the same number of manhours as the search teams put in!

By RR

May 2, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

I am glad that Wilbanks was found but I think she should pay for what she did. I think she should serve some community service and pay half of what it cost in the search for her, but do not think she deserves any time in jail. I just hope my fiance does not do this to me.

By Dawn

May 2, 2005 12:14 PM | Link to this

NO WAY should she be left alone!!!! She shold have to pay not with money but with a reason why. Not only did she run she LIED!!!!! She sat on the phone a discribed two people, what they were wearing, what color hair, what color and type of van it was, she even cut her hair and left some behind, not to mention she bought her ticket a week in advance. She Lied to her family, let her family not to mention the whole state of Georgia worry about her and all along she is on a bus. I do understand jitters but come on this was just very very selfish.

By Lisa.

May 2, 2005 12:14 PM | Link to this

YES. She should have to pay back the money that was spent looking for her. If she doesn’t have it, I’m sure her very supportative family can help. She also needs to apologize to the Hispanic community for saying she was kidnapped by one of them. It is sad that in 2005 minorities still get the blame for most things and the out cry for justice and support is so great. This white woman had to blame a minotity group just like Susan Smith did, instead of just being honest about what didn’t want to do. I’m sure if it were me, being a black woman, I would have to repay the money spent to seach for me and would be prosecuted to boot.

By bob jackson

May 2, 2005 12:14 PM | Link to this

I am very tired of [people] making this woman out to be the “victim.” She could have called and told her family what she had done. Making this out to be a false abduction crossed the line. Many people looked for this woman and spent endless hours searching and worrying for her safety. Suppose someone had been seriously hurt looking for her during her entire lying ordeal. She should be prosecuted and be forced to make restitution for her actions.

By me

May 2, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this

Stressful is not having the money to feed your children, not deciding what to feed your 600 wedding guests…give me a break.

By David

May 2, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this

We do not kow what this woman was going through. We do know that her family, friends and the entire community were put through so much as a result of her foolish actions.

The media is continuing to cover this story, in part to justify their earlier coverage. If it were someone with less money and more melanin, the disappearance would not have gotten as much attention. The media feeds on and reinforces our society’s biases.

Yes, the woman needs help. I also feel that as an adult she should face the consequences of her actions. As others have suggested, volunteer time at a hospital or on a crisis hotline might cultivate an appreciation of real problems that others face in their lives.

Restitution for the expenses of the search is not without precedence. A student in Wisconsin who faked an abduction last year has been ordered to reimburse the Madison police department.

I would hope that the media learns from this and endeavors to provide more even-handed coverage of this type of news, not merely photogenic “victims”.

By S.Morri

May 2, 2005 12:18 PM | Link to this

Lucinda, Why does everything have to do with RACE. I agree with you that the families social status played a big part, but to play the RACE card. Come on. What if this had been a realative of a prominant African American? Are you trying to tell me if would not have received as much attention? I believe you are sadly mistaken. We are in the year 2005, is’nt it time to stop playing the race card.

By Anonymous

May 2, 2005 12:18 PM | Link to this

What is the matter with you people? After reading these posts I have determined that Atlanta consists of a bunch of blood thirsty, unforgiving people who are more worried about why anybody bothere to look for this rich white woman, than they are about showing some compassion to someone who is obviously sufferring. I almost get the feeling that you would have rather she turned up dead. The woman is 32 years old and is free to come and go as she pleases. I even remember in the very beginning there was some question as to whether she was a runaway bride, and it didn’t stop anybody from VOLUNTEERING to help look for her. Nobody forced anybody to search for her, and the police were doing their jobs, just like they would have if Jennifer would have been black, white or purple. She committed no crime other than selfishness. If we were all punished for every selfish act we committed, I think we’d all be in a lot of trouble.

By Baffled

May 2, 2005 12:21 PM | Link to this

Absolutely! How could you put your family and friends through so much pain and turmoil in thinking that you are missing and possibly dead? I understand having cold feet but surely this was a very selfish and idiotic way of expressing it.

By Dan

May 2, 2005 12:21 PM | Link to this

Jennifer’s family offered a $100,000 dollar reward. Well they got her back and now they should use some of that reward money to pay for the cost of looking for her.

By Joel

May 2, 2005 12:21 PM | Link to this

Prosecution in Georgia is a foolish idea, and if Danny Porter launches a case he ought to be disbarred for incompetence. Fleeing to avoid marriage - even if premeditated - is not illegal. Her telephone call in New Mexico may have been a misdemeanor, but Georgia has no standing to prosecute. Her actions no doubt stirred up a lot of trouble for a lot of people, but our legislators do that all the time, with impunity.

By drw

May 2, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this

This is bothersome because this immature woman has yet to say anything to all those who took chunks out of their life thinking she was in dire straits. When her parents and lawyers finally do draft a statement for her to read, much of this will subside. That said, she should take her book/TV money and make some sort of restitution payment for the expense she created - then with the rest of it, she should BUY A CLUE.

By lyn

May 2, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this

Jennifer should have to repay the County for the expenses involved in searching for her. She is a grown woman and knew what her disappearance would cause, i.e. a full bore search for her.

By JOHN

May 2, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this

You can bet if Jennifer Wilbanks was a black woman from Clayton County, she would already be in an orange jumpsuit. She should have to make restitution or community service and a public apology. Her parents should not be expected to pay for her mistake. One thought for her fiance: run as fast as you can in the other direction if you have any sense at all.

By Amy

May 2, 2005 12:26 PM | Link to this

I think for her punishment she should be made to write letters of apology to all the invited guests, her wedding party, and all the selfless volunteers and law enforcement officers who spent so much time and effort searching for her while she was hiding out. She should also be required to fulfill community service hours searching for legitimately missing persons so that she can see what those who looked for her went through.

By KW

May 2, 2005 12:26 PM | Link to this

Sure, let’s just lock her up! Why not, seems thats what the majority wants anyway. Why don’t you wait and find out why. Nothing has come from her other than “i had cold feet”. But hey, money is more important anyway right? God forbid we spent a few bucks. I agree she could have gone about this a different way, but she is human to. If it was your daughter, what would you want to happen here? Leave her alone, let her get the help she needs and work thru this. What is jail going to solve for her? Ask yourself that. We can let child molesters walk the street, drug pushers and the like, but you want this lady behind bars. Leave her alone!!

By laura

May 2, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this

Yes - she should definitely be made accountable for her actions! I think she should spend the same amount of hours that were spent on her search by volunteering to help other search and rescue teams around metro Atlanta in the next 6 months!

By RWB

May 2, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this

I think this young lady should pay for the expenses that she caused, but what law did she break in the state of Georgia. I don’t think it is against the law for an adult to “run away”. She lied to the police in NM, not GA and NM said they were not going to charge her. What will Ga charge her with?

By Alishia

May 2, 2005 12:29 PM | Link to this

She should definitely have to pay.Because it send a negative signal to someone else who may try this same thing.

By Kim

May 2, 2005 12:29 PM | Link to this

Many people who suffer from confusion and undue stress will do things that seem unrealistic to many people. Yet as a woman - I know the way someone feels when they are not sure if a marriage is feasible. There are so many people that they do not want to disappoint that they end up disappointing themselves by choosing to marry someone they do not love. I would encourage legal officials to have mercy on this woman and make sure she was not “playing a game”. I am sure that those who knew her are very proud of the way the law officials responded. I simply wish that quick response could be something that the state Department of Family and Children resourses could implement. How many children have been abused and killed because of inefficiency? I know this may sound as if the two departments are closely related and, in truth, they are both controlled by the state of Georgia. So save the children and consider the fact that many people are mentally ill.

By Mindy

May 2, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this

Enough about Jennifer - how about a public aplogy to John - by her, the media, and the witch hunters who assumed he was a cold blooded killer.

CNN and FOX News were just salivating that this could have been another Laci Peterson case - shame on them and all the locals who bought into that stupidity.

John, you deserve an apology and you deserve a better woman to marry.

By Jackie

May 2, 2005 12:33 PM | Link to this

Here we go again, with yet another White damsel in distress, claiming her virtue has been compromised by a minority. I guess the damsel’s are getting tired of saying it was the Black man “who done it� and have decided to switch to our Hispanic brothers.

It is insulting enough Wilbanks abduction was a complete hoax, but isn’t it interesting that whenever the White damsel in distress seems to have her back against the wall, and it appears that her lie might be exposed, how easy it is to always go to the place of blaming minorities. It will be extremely interesting to see how this plays out.

By the way, where is the nationwide media coverage for REALLY missing Black sisters Tionda and Diamond Bradley of Chicago?

By Jason

May 2, 2005 12:34 PM | Link to this

Boo hoo, poor, poor pitiful Jennifer Wilbanks. She can’t handle the pressure and stress of her wedding and gets cold feet. Everyone else doesn’t have perfect lives either. We all don’t have lots of money, we get laid off from our jobs, we have spouses who get sick and we have to take care of them, we have our own health issues to deal with, we have children who are an increasing burden to take care of. With all these everyday pressures, we all seem to find ways to deal with our stress and make it through life. Jennifer chose the easy way out, to run from her problems (literally run from them) instead of facing them like a mature, responsible adult. She acted in a very selfish and immature way, to save the least.

I would say she should have to pay for the cost of the search for wasting everyones time and she should have to do community service at least for making up the story about the kidnappers, but I am sure that will never happen.

By APP

May 2, 2005 12:34 PM | Link to this

We should all feel sorry for this couple and not spend our time thinking about who should be prosecuted for what crime. The people who searched for her were volunteers and as such should not question the motives of the person they were searching for. As to the law enforcement community, they did as they always do, serve and protect the public at large. Why must we always take an event such as this and try to include another ‘agenda’ with it. Yes, clearly the woman must be prosecuted or the the legal system is racist…or the woman must be punished to ‘send a message’ to others that might do the same…or…or…or

The simple fact is that this is obviously a woman and family with personal and private issues that need to be dealt with. The less done or said, the better. Let’s get on with our lives and find another event to put our ‘agendas’ on.

By cool cat

May 2, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this

She got cold feet… so what? I think there is more to the story. Should she be punished? Yes. Her thoughts were clearly not rational, but there should be consequences.

By Dr. Gusti

May 2, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this

Jennifer Wilbanks’ family should not suffer any more resulting from Jennifer’s actions. Jennifer needs to come clean and let the public know what really happened… no more lies. I suspect there is more to her story than we’ve heard and if so, people can be very forgiving when they hear a story of a person’s pain.

By Rachael Shepherd

May 2, 2005 12:38 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what she was thinking, but I feel that she owes her family, her fiance, and the entire nation an apology. She should be forced to pay back the cost of the police force, and other units used to look for her. The good hearted people that took the time off from work to look for her or assist in anyway are now jaded.

By Eugene

May 2, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this

What Ms. Wilbanks did was absolutely reprehensible. And the fact that this spoiled, immature woman exploited stereotypes by blaming a fake kidnapping on a Hispanic individual says a lot about what type of person she really is. At the very least, she should be forced to pay a fine to the Duluth police and participate in mandatory community service.

By Meg

May 2, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this

If the runaway bride had been a runaway groom, would they be thinking of filing charges? She was thoughtless and uncaring, but if she had been a man and had done the same thing no one would have jumped to the conclusion that she had been murdered or kidnapped. SHE didn’t ask them to search for her, she just ran out on her wedding without thinking about the consequences. If it had been premeditated she’d have had more cash. There are more penalties for a woman who runs out on a wedding than there would be for a man because people make different assumptions. It’s not her fault she’s a woman!

By Johnny Harell

May 2, 2005 12:42 PM | Link to this

I’m glad that Ms. wilbanks is found safe and has not become another statistic. Thank God she is safe. However I feel that she should repay all the cost of the manhunt for her. As to criminal charges, she should not be punished if she or her family are willing to reimburse all the cost incurred in hunting for her.

By Gil

May 2, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this

“Anonymous”..You and others like just like you don’t get it, do you? She may be free to come and go as she pleases, but she does NOT have the right to accuse someone of someting they did not do to cover her selfish decisions.

People volunteered, beacuse that is what the wanted to do, and they were led to believe she was indeed missing.

By Becky Baker

May 2, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

Miss Wilbanks lost her right to privacy about the issue when she cried “crime”. She should be required to make restitution to the law enforcement agencies who spent resources on the search for her, and a public apology to all who gave their time and effort.

By Daisy

May 2, 2005 12:45 PM | Link to this

Having to live with herself might be punishment enough! That said, she should be made to realise the seriousness of what she did, it was not a joke, or a lark, or having a REAL bad day, what she did was outrageous. You just don’t go making a bad ( ? ) situation worse by running away, and lying and lying and lying again. This IS obviously a troubled person, no doubt, but COME ON!

By Sherry

May 2, 2005 12:45 PM | Link to this

I think Jennifer Wilbanks should be held accountable for her actions of falsely reporting a crime. Hundreds of women go missing in the U.S. and cases like this one may cause less effort to be spent on others. Obviuosly she needs some help if she can not cope with the “stress” of a wedding. How will she ever make it through a marriage?

By kathy Taylor

May 2, 2005 12:46 PM | Link to this

You are right…it is not against the law for an adult to leave or run away. It is unconscientiousable for her to leave KNOWING that it would cause people to believe that she had been kidnapped or murdered. She admitted she had seen on national news the story of her disappearance. She knew the City of Duluth, the County of Gwinnett and the FBI had a hugh manhunt in progress for her. She knew the heartbreak and sorrow she was causing. She knew the expense that was being put out. And yet she waited four days to make her call. The call that started out saying she had been kidnapped and held hostage. Only when she was continually questioned did she fold and tell the truth. If she didn’t have the maturity to call the wedding off until she could get herself together, then she should have at least had the decency to leave a note saying she was leaving and spared her family and her community the heartbreak. She needs to be held responsible for all the trouble and expense she caused. People are not held responsible for their actions and that’s what causes the Miss Wilbanks of today.

By Gloria

May 2, 2005 12:47 PM | Link to this

While I can understand a person having second thoughts and deciding not to go through with marriage when uncertainity of any kind enters the picture, I cannot understand a person being so selfish that she would place this type of embarrassment and undue stress on family, loved ones, and strangers kind enough to give their time in an attempt to assure her safety and well being. Her family’s wealth and social status should not dictate the type of treatment afforded in this case. Criminal offenses resulted from her actions so Jennifer must be taught that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The reaction to this must be facing the music for the offenses she committed. In addition to costing taxpayers for the search, several laws were violated … among which were using the wire in commission of a crime, lying to law enforcement officers, and faking her abduction.

By kevin

May 2, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this

This woman is 32 years old,not a teenager.How could she do that to her family?There is no excuse for her actions and then to blame it innocent people,on a minority of course,.I don’t know that she broke any law.All she can say is that she is sorry…and that’s that.

By gwen

May 2, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this

While it is a blessing that Ms. Wilbanks was found alive, it seems that her plan to run away (for whatever reason) made a mockery of the very system that was designed to protect people in the situation she claimed to be in. I’m not sure what her punishment should be. In fact, she’s punished already by the shame she brought to herself, her fiance, their families, co-workers and friends.

If the upcoming wedding was too much for her to deal with (with the number of guests and lavishness), she should have at least told someone - confided in her fiance and perhaps together they could have convinced their parents to scale it down, or the two of them could have eloped and come back to a reception. It seems there were many more options than the chosen one, and any of the available options would have left less people hurt in its path.