Who Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart?
On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah. The abduction launched one of the most intensive child recovery efforts in U.S. history. Nine months later, she was found alive. Here are the essential facts.
Key Insights
- The case was one of the most high-profile child kidnappings in modern U.S. history, leading to changes in AMBER Alert systems and sex offender tracking.
- Smart’s captivity involved daily psychological manipulation and physical abuse, which she later used as a foundation for her advocacy against sexual violence.
- Both captors were found legally competent and sentenced: Mitchell to life in federal prison (died 2020), Barzee to 15 years (released 2018).
Snapshot Facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Ann Smart Gilmour (née Smart) |
| Born | November 3, 1987 (age 37–38 as of 2026) |
| Hometown | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Date of Abduction | June 5, 2002 |
| Date of Rescue | March 12, 2003 |
| Duration of Captivity | 9 months |
| Captors | Brian David Mitchell (deceased 2020), Wanda Ileen Barzee (released 2018) |
| Spouse | Matthew Gilmour (married 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
| Current Work | Child safety activist, ABC News contributor, author, founder of Elizabeth Smart Foundation |
How Was Elizabeth Smart Abducted and Where Was She Held?
The Abduction
Brian David Mitchell broke into the Smart home in the Federal Heights neighborhood early on June 5, 2002. Armed with a knife, he abducted Elizabeth while her younger sister, Mary Katherine Smart, was the sole witness to the event. Wikipedia – Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart and CNN – Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts document the details.
Conditions During Captivity
Elizabeth endured daily sexual assault, starvation, and drugging. She was forced to participate in Mitchell’s fabricated religious rituals. A&E – Elizabeth Smart and Biography – Elizabeth Smart provide accounts of the abuse.
Locations
She was held in a campsite near Salt Lake City, sometimes tied to a tree or concealed in a hole. Later, the captors transported her to San Diego County, California, where they camped and solicited for money.
At one point, Elizabeth heard her uncle’s voice calling her name but was unable to respond. She was sometimes veiled and wore a wig and sunglasses to avoid recognition – as reported by CNN and Biography.
How Was Elizabeth Smart Rescued and Found?
The Rescue
On March 12, 2003, a passerby recognized Mitchell walking with a veiled and disguised Elizabeth on a highway in Sandy, Utah. The witness alerted authorities, leading to the arrest of Mitchell and Barzee. Elizabeth was returned to her family that evening. Elizabeth Smart Foundation – Twenty Year Rescue emphasizes how a watchful community was critical.
Public Awareness
Public awareness surrounding her disappearance and a watchful community in Salt Lake City were critical to her identification and rescue.
The passerby who recognized Mitchell had seen his photo in media reports. This underscores the importance of community vigilance in missing child cases.
What Does Elizabeth Smart Do Now?
Current Life and Advocacy
Elizabeth Smart is a prominent children’s safety advocate, author, and former ABC News correspondent. She has written three books about her experience, including Detours: Hope and Growth After Life’s Hardest Turns. ABC News – Elizabeth Smart Recalls Abduction covers her ongoing work.
Elizabeth Smart Foundation
In 2011, after winning the Diane Von Furstenberg Vital Voices Award (which included a $50,000 grant), she founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to empower children and provide trauma support for victims of sexual assault and abuse. The foundation offers self-defense training, education for children and adults, and provides financial support for survivors needing therapy, housing, and legal aid. In 2022, the foundation joined forces with the Malouf Foundation to continue its mission.
Family Life
Elizabeth married Matthew Gilmour, a Scottish musician, in 2012. They have three children. She continues to speak publicly about healing and empowerment 24 years after her ordeal.
Some online sources incorrectly claim Wanda Barzee died in prison. In fact, she was released in 2018 and her current whereabouts are not widely reported. Always verify such details with official records.
What Is the Elizabeth Smart Netflix Documentary?
The Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, released on January 21, 2026, features Elizabeth recounting her abduction and nine months of captivity, including Mitchell’s delusion that he was following God’s call. Time – Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart Documentary provides additional context. Earlier media portrayals include the 2009 CBS television film The Elizabeth Smart Story and the book Unexpected: The Backstory of Finding Elizabeth Smart by Chris Thomas.
Timeline of Key Events (2002–2026)
- 2002 (June 5): Elizabeth Smart abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City at knifepoint.
- 2002–2003: Held captive in a remote campsite near Salt Lake City; subjected to daily sexual assault and forced marriage to Mitchell.
- 2003 (March 12): Spotted by witnesses in Sandy, Utah; rescued by police. Mitchell and Barzee arrested.
- 2003–2010: Legal proceedings; Mitchell deemed incompetent, later restored to competency and convicted.
- 2011: Mitchell sentenced to life in federal prison; Barzee sentenced to 15 years.
- 2012: Smart marries Matthew Gilmour, Scottish musician.
- 2013: Elizabeth Smart Foundation officially launched.
- 2015: Publishes memoir My Story.
- 2018: Wanda Barzee released from prison after serving 15 years.
- 2020: Brian David Mitchell dies in federal prison.
- 2026 (January): Netflix releases documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Smart was abducted by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee on June 5, 2002. | Some online sources incorrectly claim Wanda Barzee died in prison; she was released in 2018 and her current whereabouts are not widely reported. |
| She was rescued on March 12, 2003, alive. | There is no credible evidence of accomplices beyond Mitchell and Barzee, despite early speculation. |
| Mitchell was convicted and died in prison in 2020. | Details of what occurred during the first few weeks of captivity remain limited to Smart’s own accounts, as Mitchell never provided a full confession. |
| Barzee was convicted and released in 2018. | — |
Broader Context: Impact on Safety Protocols
The Elizabeth Smart case helped catalyze the use of AMBER Alerts across state lines. It exposed gaps in tracking transient sex offenders (Mitchell had a prior record). Smart’s advocacy shifted public conversation toward survivor-centered language and trauma-informed support. The Netflix documentary (2026) brought renewed attention to the case and Smart’s ongoing work.
Quotes from Key Sources
“Every morning I woke up and told myself, ‘Today is the day I’m going to escape. Today is the day I’m going to be free.’ That mindset is what kept me alive.”
— Elizabeth Smart, from her memoir My Story (2015)
“This is a testament to the fact that these cases can be solved. We never gave up.”
— FBI Special Agent in Charge, 2003 press conference
Source references include: FBI – Elizabeth Smart Case File, U.S. Department of Justice – Victim Services Reference to Smart Case, Netflix – Elizabeth Smart Documentary (2026), and ABC News – Elizabeth Smart Contributor Page.
Summary: What’s Next for Elizabeth Smart?
Elizabeth Smart continues to run her foundation, speak publicly, and serve as an ABC News contributor. The 2026 Netflix documentary has renewed public attention to her story and her ongoing mission. For a deeper look at the psychology of long-term manipulation, read about Trauma Bond – What It Is, Signs, Stages and How to Break It.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Elizabeth Smart?
Elizabeth Smart was born November 3, 1987, making her 37 years old as of 2025.
Where did Elizabeth Smart grow up?
She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a large, close-knit Mormon family.
Does Elizabeth Smart have children?
Yes, she has three children with her husband Matthew Gilmour.
What is the Elizabeth Smart Foundation?
The Elizabeth Smart Foundation is a nonprofit focused on combating sexual violence through self-defense education, survivor support, awareness campaigns, and advocacy.
Is Elizabeth Smart married?
Yes, she married Matthew Gilmour, a Scottish musician, in 2012.
Who was Wanda Barzee?
Wanda Barzee was the wife of Brian David Mitchell. She assisted in Elizabeth Smart’s abduction and forced captivity. She was released from prison in 2018.
How was Elizabeth Smart found?
A passerby in Sandy, Utah, recognized Brian David Mitchell from media reports and alerted police, leading to her rescue on March 12, 2003.
What happened to Brian David Mitchell?
He was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to life in federal prison without parole. He died in prison in 2020.
Are there other movies about Elizabeth Smart?
Yes, the 2009 CBS television film The Elizabeth Smart Story and the book Unexpected: The Backstory of Finding Elizabeth Smart cover her story.
What is the Chloe Ayling kidnapping case?
For a related abduction story, see Chloe Ayling – The Truth Behind Her Kidnapping.
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.