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Runaway bride-to-be took Greyhound bus to Las Vegas, then to Albuquerque; claimed to be kidnapped

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Distressed, out of cash and in disguise, a missing Georgia bride-to-be turned up on a seedy stretch of Route 66 and told authorities Saturday she’d been abducted, then copped to the truth — she fled the pressure of her looming wedding.

Jennifer Wilbanks, 32, was picked up by police after a bus trip that took her through Las Vegas to a payphone outside an Albuquerque 7-Eleven where she called her fiance, John Mason, and 911 late Friday and said she had been freed by kidnappers.

Family members began celebrating outside the couple’s home in Duluth, Ga., but hours later, Wilbanks admitted her disappearance was voluntary.

She was “scared and concerned about her impending marriage and decided she needed some time alone,” Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said.

Police said there would be no criminal charges, although more than 100 officers led a search that involved several hundred volunteers, including many wedding guests and members of the bridal party.

“She’s obviously very concerned about the stress that she’s been through, the stress that’s been placed on her family,” Schultz said. “She is very upset.”

Wilbanks, wearing a blue blazer and a pink striped blanket that completely covered her head, was en route back to Atlanta Saturday evening after being escorted to Albuquerque’s main airport by about 10 police officers. She did not respond to reporters’ questions.

p. [ Full Story @ Fox News ]

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