TheQuartering [7/25/2023]
Carlee Russell’s ex-boyfriend has said he is ‘disgusted’ with her for lying – after she claimed to have been kidnapped on an Alabama interstate after seeing a toddler alone by the side of the road.
Thomar Simmons took to Instagram on Monday night to condemn the 26-year-old, saying he ‘d been ‘blindsided’ by her fantasy story about being abducted.
He said her web of lies had ‘created hurt, confusion and dishonesty’ and revealed the pair had split following her bombshell confession.
Meanwhile, her mother refused to comment on the latest developments, simply telling reporters ‘it was not a good time’.
It comes after Russell released a statement to police in which she finally admitted she had fabricated the whole story about why she went missing for 49 hours this month.
She confessed she never saw a toddler and was never whisked away by a kidnapper before she mysteriously turned back up at her parents’ house last week.
After Russell ‘disappeared’ on July 13, Simmons posted frantic appeals for information on social media and then made a supportive post once Russell returned home.
He has not only deleted his posts about her disappearance but has also erased every photo of the pair together on social media. He has also unfollowed her.
In his statement on Monday, Simmons claimed he was ‘made aware of the false narrative after coming to the defense of my ex Carlee Russell.
‘Carlee’s actions created hurt, confusion and dishonesty,’ Simmons wrote in a statement on Instagram Monday night.
He continued: ‘Myself and my family’s nature was to react in love and genuine concern,’ he explained. ‘We are disgusted [by] the outcome of this entire situation.
‘I strongly feel exactly like all of you, blindsided with Carlee’s actions,’ Simmons continued, noting that the investigation is still ongoing ‘but with all of the recent information and her confession now, we gain closure with this situation.’
Simmons went on to thank ‘all my family, friends and the nation for [your] support through this.
‘The severity in this matter has not been overlooked, and I deeply respect the genuine support shared during this situation,’ he concluded. ‘Please continue to keep us in your prayers.’
Also on Monday night, Russell’s mother, Talitha, refused to comment to The New York Times about the hoax saying ‘it was not a good time’ and abruptly hanging up.
She and her husband Carlos, a vice president at BBVA Bank, said earlier on Monday they were horrified at accusations their daughter invented the saga.
Hours later, police confirmed Carlee Russell had lied about the events. ‘There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13,’ said a statement by Russell through her lawyer.
It added: ‘Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.’
Talitha, who last week appeared on Today to discuss her daughter’s ‘abduction’, is not thought to have been involved in the nursing student’s scheme.
Russell’s parents had insisted an ‘abductor’ was behind her disappearance.
‘Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor,’ said Talitha Russell, in the Today show interview.
Pressed on whether they believe an abductor is at large in the case, Talitha responded ‘absolutely, absolutely’.
Carlee’s father, Carlos, nodded in agreement.
The parents said they were subjected to cruel taunting and fake messages claiming to have information about their daughter while she was missing.
‘There were actually just so many calls and texts from people who maliciously lied to us,’ said Talitha Russell.
‘I just didn’t know people could be so evil.’
The mother grew emotional as she described the moment she was reunited with her daughter, saying the reunion was filled with ‘so much joy’.
‘We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state.