Current:Home > FinanceChainkeen|Carlee Russell Found: Untangling Case of Alabama Woman Who Disappeared After Spotting Child on Interstate -×
Chainkeen|Carlee Russell Found: Untangling Case of Alabama Woman Who Disappeared After Spotting Child on Interstate
SafeX Pro View
Date:2025-04-08 18:56:42
After her disappearance sparked a frantic search,Chainkeen authorities in Alabama have confirmed that Carlee Russell has been found alive.
Days after her harrowing case began garnering national attention, the Hoover Police Department told NBC News that the 25-year-old returned home on July 15 after two days missing. Russell had vanished just minutes after calling police to report seeing a child alone on the highway.
Hoover Police Capt. Keith Czeskleba noted that after she returned home, Russell was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. She has been treated and released and has also provided a statement to police.
"The details of that statement are a part of the ongoing investigation which is expected to continue over the next few days," a spokesperson for the department told Fox 5 Atlanta in a statement. "During the initial portion of the investigation, detectives were able to retrace nearly all of Carlee's steps until the point she went missing and are confident that will continue to be the case."
The astounding development in the case comes two days after Russell disappeared after leaving work in Birmingham.
During her commute, at around 9:34 p.m. on July 13, according to a press release shared by authorities, Russell called both 911 and a family member to report spotting a child alone on the interstate. However, when police arrived, they found Russell's vehicle and some of her belongings next to her car—but there was no trace of her, nor any child. Authorities also confirmed they have not received any other calls involving a missing toddler.
"A single witness has reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle with a light-complected male standing outside of Carlee's vehicle," Lt. Daniel Lowe stated in the release. "But we have no further information on that individual or the vehicle at this time."
At the time, police said an anonymous donor offered up a $20,000 reward in the case, with Crimestoppers adding an additional $5,000.
Shortly after Russell's return, family members and friends took to social media to share their relief, while asking for privacy during this time. This includes Russell's boyfriend Thomar Simmons, who thanked those who helped in the search to find his girlfriend on social media.
"All I asked from everyone right now is to be respectful of Carlee's situation," he wrote in a post shared to Instagram. "She was literally fighting for her life for 48 hours, so until she's physically & mentally stable again she is not able to give any updates or whereabouts on her kidnapper at this very moment."
Simmons concluded his note with gratitude, writing, "Once again I can't thank you guys enough for helping us bring Carlee home! God bless you all."
The investigation remains ongoing.
(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For more true crime updates on your need-to-know cases, head to Oxygen.com.veryGood! (42)
Related
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- United Airlines CEO tries to reassure customers that the airline is safe despite recent incidents
- When do new episodes of 'Invincible' come out? See full Season 2 Part 2 episode schedule
- North Carolina carries No. 1 seed, but Arizona could be the big winner
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Denver police investigate double homicide at homeless shelter
- In the ‘Armpit of the Universe,’ a Window Into the Persistent Inequities of Environmental Policy
- In images: New England’s ‘Town Meeting’ tradition gives people a direct role in local democracy
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Keep Up With Rob Kardashian's Transformation Through the Years
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Shop Amazon's Big Spring Sale Early Home Deals & Save Up to 77%, Including a $101 Area Rug for $40
- Oregon county plants trees to honor victims of killer 2021 heat wave
- United Airlines CEO tries to reassure customers that the airline is safe despite recent incidents
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Another QB domino falls as Chicago Bears trade Justin Fields to Pittsburgh Steelers
- Shop Amazon's Big Spring Sale Early Home Deals & Save Up to 77%, Including a $101 Area Rug for $40
- Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR race at Bristol as tire wear causes turmoil to field
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Reddit stock is about to go hit the market, the platform's users are not thrilled
A second man is charged in connection with 2005 theft of ruby slippers worn in ‘The Wizard of Oz’
'Yeah, I'm here': Katy O'Brian muscles her way into Hollywood with 'Love Lies Bleeding'
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
For ESPN announcers on MLB's Korea series, pandemic memories come flooding back
Princess Diana's Brother Worries About Truth Amid Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theories
Telehealth websites promise cure for male menopause despite FDA ban on off-label ads