Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who had been reported missing, was found and later revealed that her kidnapping claim was a hoax, according to her lawyer. The incident led to a swift response from her now-ex-boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, who posted a statement denouncing her actions.
The disappearance of Russell had caused concern and garnered media attention, as she had been missing for two days before reappearing in Hoover, Alabama. On July 15, she informed law enforcement that she had been kidnapped. However, as of July 19, police stated they were unable to verify the accuracy of her statements about the alleged kidnapping.
On Monday, Hoover Police Chief Nicholas C. Derzis held a press conference, during which he disclosed that Russell had provided a statement through her lawyer. According to the statement, there was no kidnapping incident on July 13, 2023. It further stated that Russell had not encountered a baby on the side of the road, nor had she left the Hoover area when she was reported missing. The statement also asserted that she acted alone and had not received any assistance in the incident.
Simmons, who had previously confirmed his relationship with Russell to the media and online, expressed his strong disapproval of her actions in a post on July 24. He referred to her as his “ex” and accused her of causing hurt, confusion, and dishonesty. He revealed that he and his family had initially reacted with love and concern but were now disappointed with the outcome of the situation. He appreciated the support from followers and urged them to keep him and his family in their prayers.
Russell’s lawyer conveyed her apologies to the community and everyone involved in the search. The lawyer acknowledged that Russell had made a mistake and asked for forgiveness and prayers as she addresses her issues and strives to move forward.
As of the latest update, Russell’s legal team has not responded to media requests for comment. The investigation is still ongoing, but with Russell’s confession, the case is closer to resolution.