Image Source: Wilbank’s Twitter image published on https://www.nine.com.au/lifestyle/runaway-bride-jennifer-wilbanks-gets-divorced-20210806-p5qbqe.html
What Was the Accusation?
Jennifer Wilbanks became the subject of national attention in April 2005 after disappearing from Duluth, Georgia, four days before her planned wedding to John Mason. Her disappearance prompted an extensive search involving law-enforcement officers, volunteers, family members, and national media coverage. Wilbanks had actually left Georgia voluntarily, traveling by bus first to Las Vegas and then to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
After reaching Albuquerque, Wilbanks contacted Mason and authorities and initially claimed that she had been abducted. Police said she described a Hispanic man and a white woman as her kidnappers and also alleged that she had been sexually assaulted. Under further questioning, however, Wilbanks admitted that the kidnapping story was false and that she had left on her own. The fabricated account intensified criticism because it had consumed substantial public resources, frightened her family and community, and falsely implicated imaginary offenders identified partly by ethnicity.
On May 5, 2005, Wilbanks issued a written public statement that was read by the Rev. Tom Smiley, her family’s pastor. She rejected the widely used explanation that she had simply developed “cold feet,” saying instead that she had been “running from myself” and from fears she felt were controlling her life. She said she had voluntarily begun professional treatment, apologized to Mason, both families, their churches and communities, and thanked those who had searched for her. The statement expressed remorse for the disruption she caused but did not specifically describe or apologize for the false kidnapping and sexual-assault allegations.
Wilbanks was later charged with making a false statement and filing a false police report. On June 2, 2005, she pleaded no contest to a felony false-statement charge. She received two years of probation, 120 hours of community service, continued treatment, and financial restitution associated with the search. Her response combined a direct apology and corrective action with an explanation that emphasized psychological pressures and a distinction between abandoning Mason and fleeing from personal fears.
At this time, I cannot explain fully what happened to me last week. I had a host of compelling issues which seemed out of control — issues for which I was unable to address or confine. Please, may I assure you that my running away had nothing to do with “cold feet,” nor was it ever about leaving John. Those who know me know how excited I’ve been, and how excited I was about the spectacular wedding we planned, and how I could not wait to be Mrs. John Mason.
In my mind, it was never about the timing, however unfortunate. I was simply running from myself and from certain fears controlling my life.
Each day I am understanding more about who I am and the issues that influenced me to respond inappropriately. Therefore, I have started professional treatment voluntarily.
I am truly sorry for the troubles I caused, and I offer my deep and sincere apology. I ask for John’s forgiveness and that of his family. I also ask for forgiveness of my family, our friends, our respective churches, our communities, and any others I may have offended unintentionally.
I am deeply grateful and appreciative to everyone who responded on my behalf. I thank you for every expression of support and effort. Your sacrifices of time and personal inconvenience touched me deeply, and I hope your spirit of care is not lessened.
I understand that many people wanted to hear from me personally today, and I wanted to be here. However, I look forward to days ahead when I am strong enough to speak for myself.
As John said on countless occasions recently, may we follow the teaching of Scripture, in being kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving, just as God in Christ forgives us. Thank you.
