The Elizabeth Smart Story
Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City home at the age of 14 by a handyman who had previously done work at her house. Now, she is a profound activist and author.
On June 5th, 2002, around 1 a.m., a stranger crept into the Smart home entering the room Elizabeth shared with her sister. The man, Immanuel, whose real name is Brian David Mitchell, held a knife to Elizabeth’s neck and whispered, “I have a knife to your neck. Don't make a sound. Get out of bed and come with me, or I will kill you and your family." Elizabeth followed him to a camp in the woods, where Mitchell’s wife, Wanda Barzee, was waiting.
Back at Elizabeth’s home, her sister, Mary Katherine, had pretended to be asleep during the frightful abduction and quickly notified her parents after she deemed it safe to leave her bed. From that moment on, a nationwide search began for Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, for the next 9 months, Elizabeth was forced to consume drugs and alcohol, watch pornography, and was raped by her captor daily, sometimes multiple times per day. They had even changed her name. She would travel across Utah to California with her captors, however, was forced to wear a disguise in public.
Back in Salt Lake City, Mary Katherine soon remembered that her sister’s captor resembled and sounded like a homeless man who had previously done roof work at their home. Police quickly moved on this newfound information and drew up a sketch, which premiered on America’s Most Wanted.
Shortly after, a passerby recognized Smart’s captors and quickly called police. Barzee and Mitchell were arrested and Elizabeth returned safely home.
