Carlee Russell is an Alabama woman who reportedly went missing for two days and reappeared with news of her being abducted.
Before she disappeared the Alabama lady who went missing for two days last week looked for information about Amber Alerts, local bus tickets, and the action film Taken, according to authorities.
The information was one of many that the authorities released during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. They gave the most comprehensive description of what happened in the mysterious occurrence that has attracted widespread attention.
Carlee Russell, a 25-year-old nursing student, vanished on Thursday after she reported seeing a toddler stumbling by the side of the road to 911 and her brother’s girlfriend.
According to police, there is still no proof of a missing toddler, and no other drivers have reported seeing one along the busy section of the road.
Minutes after the 911 call, first responders arrived in the area and discovered Russell’s car as well as her personal items, including her wig, smartphone, and pocketbook – but no Russell.
Russell eventually went home on Saturday, around 49 hours after she had first vanished.
Russell informed authorities that she had been kidnapped and held captive by two individuals until she was able to flee, according to Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis.
But Derzis revealed other details that called Russell’s story into question and said that the investigators hadn’t yet been given permission to speak with her.
“There are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers,”
Derzis said.
“What we can say is that we’ve been unable to verify most of Carlee’s initial statement made to investigators, and we have no reason to believe that there is a threat to the public safety related to this particular case.”
Carlee Russell had abduction-related topics searched on the internet before she went missing.
Russell used her cell phone to check whether an Amber Alert required a fee on July 11, two days before she vanished.
Russell looked up details on the bus stop in Birmingham, which is roughly 10 miles from Hoover, on the day she vanished. A one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville was another thing she looked for.
On the day she disappeared, she also looked up information about the movie Taken and covert cash-out techniques.
“I do think it’s highly unusual the day that someone gets kidnapped that seven hours, eight hours before that, that they’re searching the internet, Googling the movie Taken about an abduction,”
Derzis said.
“I find that very strange.”
Derzis claimed that detectives discovered further online searches that seemed to provide insight into Russell’s mental state, but police decided not to release them out of respect for her privacy. On a computer at her place of employment, there were also two searches for Amber Alerts.
Russell moved 600 yards along the roadway while talking to the 911 operator, according to investigators’ analysis of cell phone records.
“She said it, and I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, because I’ve always been one of these guys, never said never,”
Derzis said.
“To think that a toddler — barefoot, that could be three or four years old — is going to travel six football fields without getting in the roadway, without crying … it’s just very hard for me to understand.”
Carlee Russell was apparently abducted
Russell, according to Derzis, informed police that she had been taken by a man who had appeared from the trees close to her car as she stepped out to check on the child on Saturday night after she had come home.
She claimed the man picked her up and she described him as having balding and orange hair. According to her, after screaming, he allegedly forced her into a car and over a fence. She claimed that the following memory she had was of being in an 18-wheeler trailer.
Russell claimed to have heard a woman’s adult voice and a baby crying.
Despite being able to get away from the 18-wheeler and run on foot, she was eventually apprehended again, this time with her hands untied since her captors didn’t want to leave any marks on her wrists.
Despite not remembering any physical or sexual contact, Russell claimed that she was taken to a house and had to strip off. She believes her kidnappers took photos of her during this time.
The next morning, when Russell awoke, she informed authorities that the female captor had fed her cheese crackers and had also toyed with her hair.
She claimed that after being put in a car once more, she was able to flee once more. This time, she ran through the woods before emerging close to her home.
She had a slight lip injury and a tear in her shirt, and detectives found $107 in cash in her right sock.
Police details on Carlee’s case
In a statement issued late Tuesday night, authorities claimed that although Russell had purchased snacks at Target just before going missing, they had not been discovered with her other possessions.
Derzis mentioned during the press conference that before she vanished, Russell also left her place of employment with a dark-colored bathrobe, a roll of toilet paper, and other belongings; none of which were discovered at the scene.
You may also be interested: After huge ’25 car’ wreck sparks ‘explosion’ I-95 crash and 3 dead in Florida
At the news conference, authorities also aired a 911 call from Russell, in which she describes seeing a Caucasian male toddler wearing diapers.
She can be seen walking down the sidewalk alone before going home, according to CCTV footage taken on Saturday in Russell’s neighborhood.
How old is Carlee Russell?
Carlee Russell a 25-year-old nursing student from Alabama, vanished after reporting a toddler sighting to 911 and her brother’s girlfriend.
Meet Carlee Russell’s Parents Talitha and Carlos
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Talitha and Carlos Russell, the parents of Carlee Russell, shared their perspective on the mysterious disappearance of their daughter.
During the interview, Talitha Russell revealed that Carlee had cooperated with detectives and provided her statement to aid in the pursuit of her abductor.
The parents expressed their gratitude for the authorities’ efforts and their determination to uncover the facts surrounding the incident.
When questioned about their beliefs regarding the alleged abductor’s whereabouts, Talitha Russell responded with certainty, saying, “Absolutely.” The unwavering conviction in the pursuit of justice for their daughter’s ordeal remains evident.
TikTok User’s Claim as Carlee Russell’s Brother Sparks Controversy amid Disappearance
The disappearance of Carlee Russell took an unexpected turn on social media when a TikTok user, who identified as her brother, shared a video to raise awareness about her missing status. However, the user’s claim has now ignited controversy, with many questioning the authenticity of the relationship and accusing him of using the case for personal gain.
Also Read: Jake McKinlay, 20, a basketball player Dies in a Car Crash
Under the TikTok handle “faithandbishop2,” the user published a now-deleted video proclaiming Carlee Russell as his “sister” and seeking support from the online community in locating her. The clip garnered significant attention, with an on-screen caption reading “My sister is Missing.”
As the video circulated, doubts began to emerge, and numerous TikTok users refuted the claim, asserting that the man was not, in fact, related to Carlee Russell.
While sources could not independently verify the exact number of followers he had gained, as of Monday, the user had over 100,000 followers.
Is Carlee Married?
As the investigation into Carlee Russell’s disappearance unfolds, information regarding her relationship status has surfaced, revealing her connection with a speculated boyfriend during the period of her disappearance.
While it has not been officially confirmed whether Carlee Russell was married, reports indicate that she had a boyfriend identified as Thomas Latrell Simmons. During the time she went missing, Carlee was in contact with her sister-in-law, whose name has not been disclosed in the available information.
In an social media response, Carlee Russell’s alleged boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, shared a heartfelt message expressing gratitude for her safety. Simmons’ post read,
“Thank you to my lord & savior Jesus Christ for saving my girlfriend’s life!”
