More than two decades have passed since Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City home at the age of 14. On June 5, 2002, Brian David Mitchell, a self-proclaimed prophet, and his then-wife Wanda Barzee kidnapped her during the night, holding her captive for nine harrowing months. Elizabeth was ultimately rescued on March 12, 2003, when authorities spotted her in Sandy, Utah, despite her attempts to disguise herself.
Mitchell and Barzee, who were already intertwined through shared experiences of abusive pasts, first met in the mid-1980s at a counseling session. Their lives veered into darkness as Mitchell rejected societal norms, stopping work and living off the land while distancing themselves from the Mormon Church. This radical shift set the stage for the tragic events leading to Elizabeth’s kidnapping.
During her captivity, Elizabeth endured profound trauma, being frequently assaulted and treated as property. She described horrific scenes where Barzee not only stood by but sometimes encouraged the abuse. In July 2002, a failed attempt to abduct another girl indicated the serious threats posed by Mitchell, as he searched for his next victim.
Elizabeth’s eventual rescue unfolded after her sister Mary Katherine recognized Mitchell from a family rooftop encounter. Triumphant recovery efforts by law enforcement led to Elizabeth’s reunion with her family, while her captors faced a swift legal reckoning—Mitchell was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2010, and Barzee received 15 years but was released in 2018 due to a controversial parole decision.
In the years that followed, Elizabeth transformed her narrative of victimhood into one of empowerment. Now an author and advocate for victims’ rights, she remains motivated by hope, emphasizing the importance of looking forward. With the upcoming Netflix documentary “Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart” set for a January 2026 release, Elizabeth continues to share her story as a beacon of resilience.
Following her release, Barzee faced ongoing scrutiny, including a recent arrest for parole violations. Mitchell remains incarcerated and reportedly has been moved between high-security facilities due to safety concerns. Elizabeth, however, has chosen to redirect her focus toward her family and advocacy work, stating she does not dwell on her captors.
Elizabeth’s journey from victim to survivor is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, showcasing how hope can be a powerful motivator in the darkest of times.