Elizabeth Smart, then a 14-year-old girl, was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, by a street preacher named Brian David Mitchell in June 2002. Mitchell, aided by his wife Wanda Barzee, subjected Elizabeth to months of captivity during which she was raped multiple times daily. The couple engaged in heinous acts, such as making Elizabeth walk like a dog with a cable around her neck and confining her to a dark underground hole to keep her hidden.
Mitchell used alcohol and drugs to subdue Elizabeth and prevent her from resisting his assaults. Despite his efforts to evade capture, an attentive viewer of America’s Most Wanted recognized Mitchell and Barzee, leading to their arrest in March 2003. Elizabeth, disguised in a dark wig and veil, was rescued and reunited with her family, though she initially found it challenging to speak about her traumatic experience.
In the aftermath, Elizabeth established the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to support survivors of sexual abuse, receiving an outpouring of stories from others who had faced similar ordeals. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about sexual violence and encouraged survivors not to blame themselves or carry the burden of shame.
Mitchell faced trial in 2010 for interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor, where he unsuccessfully pleaded insanity. Eventually, he was sentenced to life in prison, while Barzee received a 15-year prison term for her involvement in the kidnapping.
Reflecting on her journey, Elizabeth highlighted the significance of taking ownership of her story, leading to her decision to share it publicly during the trial. Her experience has inspired a Netflix documentary titled Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, featuring exclusive footage and interviews with her family members. Elizabeth hopes that the documentary will empower other victims and survivors to realize they are not alone and should not feel ashamed of their past experiences.