Wild tale of Boston woman, 25, who was kidnapped by stranger threatening to shoot up Walmart on her first day in Wyoming - and ends up staying after falling in love with ranch hand

A Massachusetts woman has revealed how she was kidnapped on her first day in Wyoming - but ended up making a home in the cowboy state after finding love.

Janelle Gibson, now 25, moved from the Boston area to work at HF Bar Ranch, a guest ranch just outside of Buffalo, Wyoming, in May 2023.

Her younger brother accompanied her on the 32 hour road trip and she then dropped him off at Gilette airport, Cowboy State Daily reported.

After taking a nap in her car she headed to a nearby Walmart at around 6am where she started going through her grocery list on her phone. 

But the minute she put her cell back in her pocket, a strange man approached her and said: 'I need to tell you something'. 

The man, later identified as Alex Sigvaldsen, then 26, gave her two choices: she must either go home with him or his friends would storm in and shoot up the store.  

Janelle Gibson (pictured), 25, from Massachusetts was kidnapped on her first day in Wyoming while on her way to her first day as a rancher at HF Bar Ranch

Despite a bad first impression of Wyoming, she fell in love with a rancher on the farm and built a life for herself out west

Sigvaldsen pleaded guilty on March 21 to felony kidnapping and a misdemeanor police interference charge 

Gibson recalled how she begged the man 'please not me'.

In response, Sigvaldsen told her 'you're going to live; I'll let you go at the end of the day,' according to court documents.

Gibson described the kidnapper as 'dirty and not appealing at all,' and said he gave off a rancid stench.

In an attempt to stall him, she told Sigvaldsen she needed to pay for her things.

When they got to the register, he instructed her to act as if they were a normal couple and kept a hand on her back as she paid.

In an interview with Cowboy State Daily, Gibson said she mouthed 'help me' to another woman in the store, who alerted Walmart employees. But they didn't call 911 and instead just monitored the situation.

Gibson said she offered the kidnapper money in exchange for her freedom, to which he replied 'what?' and kissed her on the lips, per the case affidavit. 

He then walked her to her car and ordered her to drive them to his house.

But thinking quickly, Gibson used her key fob to only unlock the driver's side of the car, allowing her to leap in and speed off to the police station. 

Walmart surveillance footage later obtained by the police showed Sigvaldsen attempting to get into the passenger door.

Although shaken, Janelle continued to HF Bar Ranch to start her new job and investigators said they would keep her updated on the case.

Although shaken, Janelle continued to HF Bar Ranch to start her new job 

It wasn't until months later that the incident finally sank in, triggering waves of anxiety and panic 

But her new ranch family and horses - especially her favorite mustang named Duke - have helped her heal 

Sigvaldsen faces up to ten years in jail. Gibson said: 'It was such a huge relief to just finally be done with it and not have to worry about it

Upon arriving at the ranch, Gibson was greeted by a male rancher who directed her to the office.

'I wasn't excited to be seeing any man, honestly,' she told Cowboy State Daily. 

Little did she know she would later end up falling in love with that very ranch hand.

She told the business what had happened to her back in Gilette, and explained that the cops may show up looking for her.

She said her employer was very understanding of the situation and as time passed Gibson built a life for herself at the ranch. 

'I've always dreamed of coming out West and seeing what that life was like,' she said. 'I fell in love with it as soon as I got out here.'

It wasn't until months later that the incident finally sank in, triggering waves of anxiety and panic. 

Even now she said she doesn't go anywhere alone if she can help it, and shares her location with friends at all times.

But her new ranch family and horses - especially her favorite mustang named Duke - have helped her heal.  

'I've been able to kind of ride my feelings away,' she said. 

Sigvaldsen pleaded guilty on March 21 to felony kidnapping and a misdemeanor police interference charge stemming from a later altercation he had with police while intoxicated. He faces up to a decade in prison.

Upon hearing this, Gibson said she finally felt at peace.

'It was such a huge relief to just finally be done with it and not have to worry about it,' she told Cowboy State Daily. 'It's such a process.'

Reflecting on the incident, she wonders if she would have still been Sigvalden's target had she not put her phone away - as that was when he zeroed in on her.

She added that she wishes someone had called 911 when she first pleaded for help.

'My advice to other people (is), if you see somebody who looks like they're asking for help, call the police immediately,' she said.

Gibson documents her life as a rancher on her Instagram account, @jgmustangs  

In a Facebook comment after Gibson went public with her story, her mother Susan said: 'This was such a horrifying experience for you (and Dad and I and the boys)

'I remember when you texted out family group chat saying 'hey guys, little problem, I was just kidnapped'. Jake wanted the plane to turn around, Dad and I felt helpless not being able to be there with you.'

She continued: 'We are so proud of you for handling the situation so well and using those smarts that you have had your whole life. We also miss you so much but are so glad that you are loving your new life and living your dream.'

Although ranchers are usually seasonal positions, Gibson has managed to secure a full-time position at the guest ranch. 

Gibson documents her life as a rancher on her Instagram account, @jgmustangs.