Real Life Runaway Bride

After several hours of questioning by police and FBI agents, Jennifer Wilbanks, age 32, admitted to fabricating an abduction story involving two people in a blue van. She left Georgia on Tuesday (4/26/05) on her own after cutting her hair to disguise her appearance.

When she took a bus to Las Vegas, Nevada, she left her diamond ring,

credit cards, and identification at home. She later rode a bus to New Mexico.

Her reason for running away was apparently due to her worries over her scheduled Saturday (04/30/05) wedding at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church. She decided she needed some time alone.

Jennifer cut her own hair, took a bus to Las Vegas, Nevada and then took another bus to New Mexico.

Hundreds of people joined her fiance, John Mason, and her family, in searching for her. Since she made a false kidnapping story, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter has said that Wilbanks may be charged with a misdemeanor charge of false report of a crime or a felony charge of false statements. Either one of the charges could put Wilbanks in jail.

There are people in the community that believe Jennifer should be held accountable for wasting valuable manpower and resources.

The planned extravagant, large-scale wedding with 14 bridesmaids, 14 groomsmen, and 600 guests has been postponed. Although Jennifer's stepfather and an uncle flew to Albuquerque to be with her, her fiancé did not go with them. He did make a comment that everyone has the right to make a mistake.

Although runaway brides are a source of humor in many movies, considering the fear and pain that their running can cause to loved ones, runaway brides are not really funny. Thankfully, runaway brides in reality are very rare.

Here are some of the reasons that brides run away, what can be done to prevent the phenomenon, and more resources on this extreme form of disengagement. Read More....
Forum Thread: Would You Marry This Person?