Elizabeth Smart, at the age of 14, was abducted by a street preacher named Brian David Mitchell who entered her Salt Lake City home in the middle of the night in June 2002. Mitchell, aided by his wife Wanda Barzee, subjected Elizabeth to nine months of captivity during which she was sexually assaulted multiple times daily.
The couple took Elizabeth to a secluded camp where she endured degrading treatment, including being made to walk on all fours with a leash around her neck and forced to live in a dark underground hole to remain unnoticed. Mitchell used alcohol and drugs to subdue Elizabeth and threatened harm to anyone attempting to rescue her, leading to an extensive missing persons search.
In 2003, Mitchell was identified by a viewer of America’s Most Wanted, leading to his arrest. Elizabeth, disguised with a wig and veil, was found with the couple. Despite initial difficulties in discussing her ordeal, Elizabeth later founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to support survivors of sexual abuse.
Mitchell stood trial for kidnapping and transportation of a minor in 2010, ultimately receiving a life sentence. Barzee, after confessing to her involvement in the kidnapping, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Elizabeth emphasized the importance of speaking out against sexual violence and encouraged survivors to shed any feelings of shame or guilt.
The journey to justice was described as painstaking and emotional by FBI Special Agent James McTighe, highlighting the perseverance in ensuring accountability for the crimes committed. Elizabeth’s story has been adapted into a Netflix documentary called “Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart” to shed light on her experience and empower other survivors to seek support and share their stories.