Elizabeth Smart was abducted at the age of 14 from her own bed while her sister witnessed the terrifying incident. At 38 years old now, she narrates her harrowing experience in a new documentary titled “Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart” on Netflix, featuring never-before-seen content.
In the documentary, Elizabeth discloses that it was her younger sister who identified the abductor, despite initial disbelief from detectives. The abduction took place on June 2, 2002, when the perpetrator entered their Salt Lake City home through a window, holding Elizabeth at knifepoint while her sister, Mary Katherine, watched in fear.
Initially, authorities struggled to piece together the events, but Mary Katherine eventually recognized the abductor as Brian David Mitchell, who went by the name Emmanuel. Mitchell, posing as a homeless man, had previously worked at the family’s house. Following Mary Katherine’s revelation, Mitchell was identified through a police sketch and apprehended.
After the abduction, Mitchell held Elizabeth captive, subjecting her to repeated sexual assaults with the involvement of his wife, Wanda Barzee. Despite being taken out in public, Elizabeth was too scared to seek help, even when prompted by a detective at a library.
Claiming to be a prophet, Mitchell moved Elizabeth to California but she convinced him to return to Salt Lake City, where they were eventually recognized by officers, leading to Elizabeth’s rescue. Mitchell received a life sentence, while Barzee served a partial term. Elizabeth, now a mother of three, has become an advocate for missing persons and hopes her story will support others who have faced similar challenges.
“Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
