Carlee Russell is the name of the woman that went missing last Thursday night at 9:34 p.m. on the side of Interstate 459 South near Mile Market 11 in Hoover, Alabama. Twenty-five-year-old Carlee went missing after speaking with a 911 operator and a family member about allegedly seeing a young child walking on the side of the interstate.
Testimonies made by Carlee’s mother, Talitha Robinson-Russell, state that the horrifying and chilling disappearance was heard by their daughter-in-law. After Russell stepped out of her vehicle to check “if the child was ok, and the child didn’t respond – at least she didn’t hear her response,” her mother said. “Then she heard our daughter Carlee scream.”
Additionally, police reports and investigations have confirmed no child has been found around the area Carlee went missing. In fact, no children have even been reported missing in that area.
The only concrete evidence police have been able to obtain and confirmed is Carlee’s red Mercedes parked on the interstate where she disappeared. Also, police found her driver’s door open, as well as her wig, hat, and cell phone inside the vehicle.
Moreover, police were even able to acquire an eyewitness statement that mentioned vaguely seeing a man standing beside Carlee’s vehicle before police arrived at the scene.
New Updates
The desperate search lasted 48 hours. It involved more than 300 volunteers and a $55,000 reward for her safe return home. At 10:45 p.m. Saturday night, Russell appeared at the front door of her parent’s home in Hoover. Moments after Russell’s reappearance, emergency services received a call about an “unresponsive, but breathing” person.
Carlee’s mother, Talitha, made the call. She called emergency services after realizing her daughter needed medical assistance. Russell then went to a local hospital where she received medical attention. Now, she has returned home from the hospital.
However, days/weeks after Russell’s reappearance, investigators, Russell herself, and her attorney, confirmed that the alleged kidnapping was in fact all a lie. Russell’s attorney stated, “There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road.” He also mentioned, “His client apologizes for her actions to this community, the volunteers who were searching for her, to the Hoover Police Department and other agencies as well, as to her friends and family.”
Speculations
Before the solving of the case, Carlee Russell’s disappearance remained a big mystery to many. Few new updates became available to the public. Even so, that did not stop people from assuming or speculating if Russell, in fact, had been telling the truth. Despite family members, like her mother and boyfriend, claiming Russell was not in a good mental and physical state because prior to her reappearance, she had been fighting for her life for 48 hours.
Claims about the kidnapping possibly being a hoax “for the purposed of attention seeking” were already coming to the surface, almost immediately into the investigation. The reason behind the suppositions is due to Russell’s computer/phone evidence prior to her kidnapping. The evidence shows Carlee’s internet history before her disappearance. For example:
- On July 11 at 7:30 a.m. Carlee searched “Do you have to pay for an Amber Alert” on her phone.
- On July 13 at 1:03 a.m. Carlee searched “How to take money from register without getting caught Reddit.”
- Russell also went on to search for details about the movie, “Taken,” before disappearing.
Further Evidence
Russell’s computer and phone history were not the only concrete evidence that proved the presumed kidnapping was all just a hoax. In fact, Russell also tweeted unusual and strange posts before her disappearance, that only further confirmed police suspicions. The tweets said:
- “today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!” She posted this on July 13 the day she went missing at 8:55 p.m.
- A minute later she posted, “someone to tell you “i love you” and don’t got a reason.”
- Finally, at 9:19 p.m. she tweeted, “yeah i want a family now.”
After the last tweets were posted, the suspicious call from Russell to 911 about a child on the interstate was made.
The Aftermath
Before the confirmation of the kidnapping being a hoax, people were already displeased at the idea that Russell could be lying to the police, family, friends, and everyone who truly wanted to help her. Now, with confirmation of the allegations, community members and even people worldwide bash Russell for her selfish decisions that affected numerous people.
Now, Russell faces the consequences of these “speculations.” Since the alleged kidnapping took place, Russell has lost her job at the Alabama beauty spa where she worked. This was due to the owner, Stuart Rome, and employees being mad about the allegations Russell claimed regarding her supposed kidnapping. As the owner, Stuart Rome, stated, “Staff were furious about her abduction claims.”
Additionally, Russell is receiving rage and bullying from people on social media. Multiple people are angry at Russell for lying about her alleged disappearance. For instance, people are infuriated at Russell for taking away resources and time from others who truly did need the help. Others expressed frustration at Russell for painting a bad image of African American women.
Written by Nohemi Sanchez
FOX 5 ATLANTA: Carlee Russell: Parents say missing Alabama women ‘fought for her life’ after disappearance
The Messenger News: Former FBI Agent Lays Out 3 Theories Behind Carlee Russell’s Disappearance
INDEPENDENT: Carlee Russell – latest:
INDEPENDENT: Carlee Russell – latest: $63k donations won’t be refunded as boyfriend begs people to ‘stop bullying her’
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Inset Images Courtesy of formulanone Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Can Pac Swire Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
