Hundreds join Ga. search for missing bride-to-be

DULUTH, Ga. -- A 32-year-old bride-to-be vanished just days before her wedding, and more than 100 volunteers joined police yesterday in an all-out search of her wooded suburban neighborhood.

Authorities said they were considering the case of Jennifer Wilbanks a criminal investigation.

Wilbanks was reported missing by her fiance, John Mason, who said she disappeared Tuesday on her nightly jog in this Atlanta suburb.

Her keys, cash, credit cards, and identification also were found in her home. Her fiance said she left with only her radio and the clothes she had on.

About 100 police officers took part in the search and brought out bloodhounds to help. They also searched a river nearby.

Police gave mixed signals about whether they believe Wilbanks, a hospital nurse, may have gotten cold feet four days before her wedding. Major Don Woodruff said authorities did not believe Wilbanks had run away. But under questioning from reporters, Police Chief Randy Belcher later said: ''It's a very real possibility she did get cold feet."

Belcher said Mason had told them he would decide today whether to take a polygraph test.

Mason and Wilbanks were to be married tomorrow in what was expected to be a big event, with 600 invitations sent out and 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen, said Mason's mother, Vicki.

''She was so in love. The wedding is huge. It's the talk of the town. Everybody knows her and was so excited," said Killie McCauley, who attended high school with Wilbanks.

McCauley and other friends and relatives have told police that Wilbanks seemed happy and was looking forward to the wedding.

McCauley described the former high school track runner and cheerleader as an ''avid matchmaker who introduced McCauley to her future husband. She said Wilbanks was looking forward to a future that included children.

''She's just such a caring person," McCauley said. ''Being a mother would be her ultimate."