The story of the 'Runaway Bride' just keeps getting weirder by the day. She appears to have belatedly realized the true nature of the commotion she caused in her home state and indeed the whole nation. And sticking to the adage "Better late than never," she has tendered an apology via Reverend Thomas Smiley, who read out a statement to the media.
"I am truly sorry for the troubles I caused, and I offer my deep and sincere apology. I also ask for forgiveness of my family, our friends, our respective churches, our communities, and any others I may have offended unintentionally,” the statement said.
Jennifer Wilbanks also publicly apologized to her fiancé John Mason for deserting him just days before the two ere to wed. Last week, Wilbanks disappeared from her hometown of Duluth, triggering a frenzied search. She apparently was on a bus to bus to Las Vegas and eventually landed in Albuquerque, N.M., where she was found three days later.
Wilbanks then proceeded to claim that she had been kidnapped by a Hispanic man, a claim that she later withdrew. Police also said she claimed that she was sexually assaulted, but later withdrew this statement along with the rest of her fabricated story. Wilbanks is said to be in an emotionally unstable condition and has reportedly stated professional treatment for the same.
On his part, Reverend Thomas Smiley is more concerned about the impact this incident has had on her psyche, 'The number one concern is for her to get a handle on what's going on in her life. We live in such an instant society today, and everyone wants everything right now, and that's just not possible.' he said.
Jennifer Wilbanks has denied that she was having second thoughts about her impending marriage and hence had resorted to flight. She said she took to the step due to "a host of compelling issues, which seemed out of control.' Meanwhile, Wilbanks' allusion to her kidnapper being Hispanic has not gone down well with the large community based in the country. Fernando Mateo, the president of the group Hispanics Across America, had threatened to protest outside her home for her comments, he later backed down after the apology, ``Our purpose was not to crucify this woman but just to let the nation know they can't freely use the name 'Hispanic' in a stereotyping manner where Hispanics are perceived to be thugs and criminals,'' he said.
Wilbanks' troubles are far from over though; the Mayor of Duluth wants her to bear the cost of the massive search operation that was launched there. The cost? A whopping $60,000! Police are also considering filing charges against her for reporting a crime that never happened. The only bright spot seems to be her fiancée’s willingness to let bygones be and start afresh, John Mason is keen to set a fresh wedding date.
It does seem that there is something deeper in this whole incident than meets the eye, but it begs the question whether individuals have the right to hold people at ransom just to solve their personal issues. What you say, folks?
