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1 Police Haven't Verified Most Of Carlee Russell's Story, But She Says Nude Pics Were Taken Of Her While She Was Missing
The story of an Alabama woman who disappeared last week after calling 911 about what she said was a toddler walking alongside an interstate is becoming more confusing as more details are released. Police said yesterday that Carlee Russell made internet searches about whether or not you have to pay for an Amber Alert, how to take money from a register without getting caught, and the movie “Taken” before she vanished. Police also say she took a robe and towel from her workplace and stopped at a store to buy snacks before vanishing. While her other belongings were found at the scene of her disappearance, the robe, towel, and snacks were missing. Another aspect of the case that’s puzzling authorities is that cell phone data shows that Russell drove around 600 yards while talking to a dispatcher about the child she was supposedly behind. Hoover Police Chief Nicholas Derzis said at a news conference yesterday afternoon that he had children and found it hard to understand how a toddler would walk the length of six football fields beside a busy interstate and never wander into traffic or cry. After being missing for over two days, Russell returned to her parents’ house and banged on the door to be let in. Aside from an initial statement given at the hospital where she was being checked, police haven’t talked with her yet. Police say she told them that she was abducted by a male with orange hair and forced into a car, then put in the trailer of an 18-wheeler before managing to escape the next day. Police say they’ve yet to be able to verify the details of Russell’s story.
2 Gunman Kills Two Just Hours Before First Match Of Women's World Cup In Auckland
Two people were killed and at least five others were injured by a gunman at a construction site in downtown Auckland, New Zealand yesterday. While details are still developing about the attack, police said in a news conference that the suspect, who was found dead after exchanging gunfire with police, was armed with a shotgun, and was fitted with an electronic monitoring device due to previous domestic charges. Shotguns aren’t considered to be prohibited weapons in New Zealand, but the suspect reportedly didn’t have a firearms permit to have any weapon. Auckland Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said at the press conference that the attack would have no impact on the FIFA Women’s World Cup, saying that the department had been working with the organization to get ready for the event and was in communication with them. After the shooting, the U.S. Soccer Federation said that all U.S. women’s national soccer team players and staff were “accounted for and safe.” The U.S. team will play its first game of the 2023 World Cup tomorrow night against Vietnam at 8 p.m.
3 U.S. Officials Trying To Piece Together Why Soldier Ran To North Korea
U.S. officials are trying to figure out the details of the case of Private Travis King, who ran into North Korea on Monday. King had been found guilty of assault during a military court martial and demoted in rank and was going to be removed from the military once he was home. His escort wasn’t allowed to accompany him past the gate on Monday for his flight back to the U.S., and he texted his handlers to tell them he was about to board his plane. Instead, he booked a tour of the Joint Security Area inside the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea with a private company, then ran across the border during the tour. South Korean military reportedly saw King try to enter a North Korean facility before running to the back of the building, where he was rushed into a van and driven away by North Korean guards. Military officials say they’ve had no contact with King, and don’t even know if he’s alive. The White House said yesterday that it’s still trying to find out exactly where King is through South Korea and Sweden, who usually represents U.S. interests in North Korea since there are no diplomatic ties between the U.S. and North Korea.