![GONE GIRL](https://cdn.magzter.com/1359122596/1691062617/articles/_K_YWFqnY1691128207728/GONE-GIRL.jpg)
SHE made headlines when she vanished from the side of a highway shortly after calling emergency services to report a toddler wandering alone on the freeway.
Two days later Carlee Russell turned up dishevelled at her parents’ door after escaping from her kidnappers – and she had a shocking story to tell.
She’d been abducted by a man and a woman in Hoover, Alabama, after they’d used the baby to lure her out of her car, she said. The couple held her captive, forced her to strip and took pictures of her naked body before she broke free and ran home.
But it was all a lie.
There was no baby, there was no kidnapping and there was no daring escape. Carlee (25) confessed through her attorney to making it all up – and she’s now making headlines across America all over again because of the depth of her deception.
She’d googled Taken, a movie starring Liam Neeson as a retired CIA agent who travels across Europe to save his kidnapped daughter. Carlee left takeaway food and her wig in her abandoned car as part of her elaborate ruse.
It also emerged she’d stolen a bathrobe and toilet paper from the spa she worked at before she staged her abduction, which police believe she used during her disappearance. She’s since been fired from the spa and could face up to a year in jail for falsely reporting an incident to law-enforcement authorities.
Carlee’s disappearance sparked fears about human trafficking and a massive manhunt ensued involving volunteers, police officers, dog units and helicopter support.
This story is from the 10 August 2023 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 10 August 2023 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Our top picks to listen to and watch](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/be_00KLl11718285765213/OUR-TOP-PICKS-TO-LISTEN-TO-AND-WATCH.jpg)
Our top picks to listen to and watch
The HOTTEST things in POP CULTURE and ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK
![QUEEN OF THE COURT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/xGdZnQzPC1718287703673/QUEEN-OF-THE-COURT.jpg)
QUEEN OF THE COURT
She's just won her fifth Grand Slam title and at 23 tennis star Iga Świątek is only getting started!
![WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/KW564HPr91718284265040/WERE-ON-A-MISSION-TO-HELP.jpg)
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP
The Olifants have started an ambulance service for animals from less fortunate communities
![BARBER TO THE BOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/WjQT4NVkz1718287557481/BARBER-TO-THE-BOKS.jpg)
BARBER TO THE BOKS
He's been cutting hair for almost 50 years. But it's the more than 40 jackets and signed jerseys from Springbok players whose hair he's done that make him a cut above the rest
![THE SCIENCE OF DEATH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/bMDlgE0ry1718287157930/THE-SCIENCE-OF-DEATH.jpg)
THE SCIENCE OF DEATH
New research into the dying brain suggests the line between life and death may be far less distinct than previously thought
![WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/fMj4LT2lQ1718286507883/WE-TALK-ABOUT-COLOMBIAS-UNDERWATER-TREASURE-QUEST.jpg)
WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest
COLOMBIA is launching a historic underwater expedition to explore a ship that sank in the Caribbean more than 300 years ago.
![UNFORGETTABLE READS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/wcYEQQmrm1718286248131/UNFORGETTABLE-READS.jpg)
UNFORGETTABLE READS
These new releases all offer something surprising and unexpected
![EAT YOUR FILL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/6Le2NWT1r1718284646934/EAT-YOUR-FILL.jpg)
EAT YOUR FILL
Trying to lose weight? Stock up on the foods that trigger the release of the same 'fullness' hormone as the weight-loss drug Ozempic
![ROMANTIC RUPERT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/VEgrH6HGH1718283913313/ROMANTIC-RUPERT.jpg)
ROMANTIC RUPERT
Retired media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is a sucker for love and at 93 he's got married - again!
![RUNNING STRONG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/x51zmyjLY1718283154946/RUNNING-STRONG.jpg)
RUNNING STRONG
This Roodepoort mom has lost half her body weight - and she's just done her second Comrades