View source for Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart

{{short description|2002 child abduction case in the U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| title            = Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart
| image            = Elizabeth Smart kidnapping flyer.jpg
| caption          = Smart's missing person flyer distributed by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
| location         = '''Abduction:'''<br/>[[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], U.S.<br>'''Confinement:'''<br/>Salt Lake City, Utah, and [[San Diego County, California]], U.S.
| date             = {{Start date|2002|6|5}} – March 12, 2003
| time             = 
| timezone         = 
| type             = [[Kidnapping]], [[child abduction]], [[child rape]]
| perpetrator = {{plainlist|
*Brian Mitchell
*Wanda Barzee
}}
| convictions = Various offenses, including [[kidnapping]] and [[child endangerment]]
| motive           = [[Child sex abuse|Sexual abuse]]
| sentence = *Mitchell: [[Life imprisonment in the United States|Life imprisonment]] without the possibility of [[parole]]
*Barzee: 15 years in prison (paroled after 9 years)
}}

[[Elizabeth Smart|Elizabeth Ann Smart]], aged 14, was [[kidnapping|kidnapped]] on June 5, 2002, by Brian David Mitchell from her home in the [[Federal Heights, Salt Lake City|Federal Heights]] neighborhood of [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]]. She was held captive by Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, and later, in [[San Diego County]], [[California]]. Her captivity lasted approximately nine months before she was discovered in [[Sandy, Utah]], approximately {{convert|18|mi}} from her home.

Smart was [[child abduction|abducted]] at knife-point by Mitchell, while her younger sister, Mary Katherine, pretended to be asleep. Mitchell, who claimed to be a religious [[preacher]],{{sfn|Haberman|MacIntosh|2003|p=13}} held Smart at a camp in the woods with Barzee, where he repeatedly [[child rape|raped her]]. During her captivity, Smart accompanied her captors in public on various occasions dressed head-to-toe in white robes and went largely unrecognized by those she came in contact with.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/14/us/end-of-an-abduction-ordeal-in-plain-sight-a-kidnapped-girl-behind-a-veil.html|date=March 14, 2003|title=END OF AN ABDUCTION: ORDEAL; In Plain Sight, a Kidnapped Girl Behind a Veil|author=Egan, Timothy|access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref>

After her rescue, Smart became an advocate for [[missing person]]s and victims of [[sexual assault]]. Barzee was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison in 2009 for her role in the abduction, although she was granted early release on September 19, 2018, for previously uncredited [[time served]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elizabeth-smart-kidnapper-wanda-barzee-released-from-prison-2018-09-19/|title=Elizabeth Smart kidnapper Wanda Barzee released from prison|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=September 19, 2018 }}</ref> Mitchell was diagnosed by forensic psychologists as having [[antisocial personality disorder|antisocial]] and [[narcissistic personality disorder]]s. Extensive disputes over his [[Competence (law)|competence to stand trial]] lasted several years before he was deemed mentally capable in 2010; he was sentenced to [[life imprisonment]] without the possibility of parole in 2011.<ref name=facts>{{cite web|work=CNN|title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html|access-date=November 18, 2017|date=October 31, 2017}}</ref>

==Backgrounds of the kidnappers==
Brian David Mitchell was born on October 18, 1953, in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], the third of six children in a family belonging to [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church). His mother was a teacher and his father was a [[social work]]er. In order to teach Mitchell about sex, his father reportedly showed his adolescent son explicit photos from a medical journal, and, in order to teach him about independence, would drive him to unfamiliar parts of the city, drop him off, and leave him to find his way back home.<ref name="mitchell">{{cite web|author=Montaldo, Charles|date=October 29, 2017|title=Profile of Brian David Mitchell and the Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/profile-of-elizabeth-smarts-kidnapper-brian-mitchell-971140|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014115959/https://www.thoughtco.com/profile-of-elizabeth-smarts-kidnapper-brian-mitchell-971140|archive-date=October 14, 2017|access-date=November 9, 2017|work=Thought Catalog}}</ref>

At age 16, Mitchell [[indecent exposure|exposed himself]] to a child and was sent to a [[juvenile hall]]. At age 19, he married sixteen-year-old Karen Minor, with whom he had two children. After their divorce, Minor was awarded [[child custody|custody]] of both children, after which Mitchell temporarily fled with the children to [[New Hampshire]].<ref name=mitchell/> He resided there for two years, joining a [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishna]] 
commune.<ref>{{cite web|author=Reavy, Pat|url=https://www.deseret.com/2010/11/18/20153760/parents-describe-struggles-during-brian-david-mitchell-s-childhood/|title=Parents describe struggles during Brian David Mitchell's childhood|website=[[Deseret News]]|date=November 18, 2010|access-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref> 

Mitchell had a history of [[drug abuse|drug]] and [[alcohol abuse]] in his adult life; upon returning to Salt Lake City, he was inspired to seek [[sobriety]] by his brother, who had recently returned from an LDS Church [[Mission (LDS Church)|mission]]. In Salt Lake City, Mitchell had two additional children with his second wife, Debbie, who herself had three children from a previous marriage. Debbie alleged that Mitchell was abusive during their marriage, and they divorced in 1984. After their separation, Debbie alleged that Mitchell had [[child sexual abuse|sexually abused]] their three-year-old son; the claim could not be medically confirmed, but Mitchell's future visitations with his children were ordered to be supervised by the [[Child Protective Services|Division of Child and Family Services]]. One of Debbie's daughters from her previous marriage would later claim that Mitchell had sexually abused her for four years.<ref name=mitchell/>

On the day his divorce from Debbie was finalized, Mitchell married Wanda Elaine Barzee ({{abbr|b.|born}} November 6, 1945, in Salt Lake City), a then-forty-year-old divorcee with six children.<ref name=mitchell/> Barzee had a troubled relationship with her children; one of her daughters would later refer to her as a "monster," and she also claimed that when she was a child, Barzee fed her pet rabbit to her for dinner.<ref>{{cite web|work=ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/wanda-barzees-children-oprah-monster/story?id=9731355|title=Kids of Elizabeth Smart's Kidnapper Call Wanda Barzee a 'Monster'|author=Mooney, Mark|date=February 2, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2017|archive-date=October 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024120322/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/wanda-barzees-children-oprah-monster/story?id=9731355|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Together, Mitchell and Barzee became actively involved in the LDS Church. Eventually Mitchell began going by the name "Immanuel David Isaiah," claiming to be a [[prophet]] of [[God]] who experienced visions.<ref name=mitchell/> The name relates to Mitchell's belief that he was the "Davidic Servant" spoken of in [[Avraham Gileadi|Avraham Gileadi's]] book ''The Literary Message of Isaiah''.<ref name=duffy /> For this, the two were [[Church membership council |excommunicated]] from the church in absentia in June 2002.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/10/21/gone-girl-2 |title=Gone Girl |first=Margaret |last=Talbot |magazine=The New Yorker |date=October 14, 2013|via=www.newyorker.com}}</ref><ref name=duffy /> Barzee began going by the name "Hephzibah," and the two would [[Begging|panhandle]] and preach in downtown Salt Lake City. Mitchell presented himself in an image that was akin to the image of [[Jesus]], dressing in white robes and tunics, and growing a beard.<ref name=mitchell/>

==Abduction==
[[File:Block U University of Utah 2.jpg|thumb|right|Federal Heights, the neighborhood where Smart resided, and from where she was kidnapped]]
In the early hours of June 5, 2002, Mitchell broke into the home of Ed and Lois Smart in the [[Federal Heights, Salt Lake City|Federal Heights]] neighborhood of Salt Lake City, where they lived with their six children.<ref name=Deseret1>"S.L. girl taken from her home", ''Deseret News'', June 5, 2002, Page A01</ref> He abducted fourteen-year-old [[Elizabeth Smart]] from the bedroom she shared with her nine-year-old sister, Mary Katherine.<ref name=Deseret2>"Kidnap theories expand", ''Deseret News'', June 13, 2002, Page A01</ref> Mary Katherine was awakened but pretended to be asleep,<ref name=":2">{{cite news|title = Sister's story: New details emerge|url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/920711/Sisters-story-New-details-emerge.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021231720/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/920711/Sisters-story-New-details-emerge.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = October 21, 2015|access-date = August 5, 2015|newspaper = Deseret News|date = June 19, 2002|last1 = Reavy|first1 = Pat|last2 = Jensen|first2 = Derek|last3 = Snyder|first3 = Brady}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Sister reported the abduction relatively quickly|url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/920148/Sister-reported-the-abduction-relatively-quickly.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021231734/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/920148/Sister-reported-the-abduction-relatively-quickly.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = October 21, 2015|access-date = August 5, 2015|last = Parkison|first = Jake|date = June 16, 2002|newspaper = Deseret News}}</ref> and later reported that:
*The man was white, about the height of her brother Charles (5&nbsp;ft 8&nbsp;in; 172&nbsp;cm),<ref>{{Cite news|title = Utah Girl, 15, Is Found Alive 9 Months After Kidnapping|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/13/us/utah-girl-15-is-found-alive-9-months-after-kidnapping.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = March 13, 2003|access-date =August 5, 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Dean E.|last = Murphy}}</ref> about {{nowrap|30{{hsp}}{{ndash}}{{hsp}}}}40{{nbs}}years of age, and wearing light-colored clothes and a golf hat<ref name="Deseret1"/><ref name=Deseret18June2002>"Police add details to data on abductor", ''Deseret News'', June 18, 2002, Page B01</ref> (he was in fact actually wearing black, did not have a golf hat, and was 48{{nbs}}years of age).<ref name="Deseret18June2002/name">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=965906|title=Sister Recounts How She Helped Find Elizabeth Smart |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=July 21, 2005 |access-date=February 10, 2007}}</ref>
*The man had dark hair, and also had dark hair on his arms and on the backs of his hands.<ref name=Deseret18June2002/>
*The man threatened Elizabeth with a knife (which 9-year-old Mary Katherine thought was a gun at the time).<ref name="Deseret18June2002/name"/>
*She never got a good look at the man's face,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = Elizabeths Smart's Younger Sister Speaks Out Publicly|url = http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=76573|access-date =August 5, 2015|website = KSL.com|date = July 19, 2005|publisher = Associated Press}}</ref> a fact kept secret by the police during the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0206/19/se.02.html|title=Sister of Elizabeth Smart is Prime Witness|access-date=February 10, 2007| work=CNN | date=February 7, 2001}}</ref>
*When Elizabeth said "ouch" after stubbing her toe on a chair, the man said something that sounded to her like "You better be quiet, and I won't hurt you."<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elizabeths-road-home/|title="Elizabeth's Road Home", CBS News, March 12, 2003|access-date= February 10, 2007 | date=February 4, 2003}}</ref>
*When her sister Elizabeth asked "Why are you doing this?" the man's reply was not clear to her, but Mary Katherine thought he may have said "for ransom."<ref name="cbsnews.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|title = Sister thought abductor was after a ransom|url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/958728/Sister-thought-abductor-was-after-a-ransom.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021231746/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/958728/Sister-thought-abductor-was-after-a-ransom.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = October 21, 2015|access-date = August 5, 2015|website = Deseret News|date = January 11, 2003|last = Derek|first = Jensen}}</ref>
*The man was calm and soft-{{nowrap|spoken{{px2}}{{mdash}}{{px2}}}}even {{nowrap|polite{{px2}}{{mdash}}{{px2}}}}and nicely dressed.<ref name=Deseret18June2002/>
*The man's voice seemed somehow familiar to her, despite his having spoken quietly to her sister Elizabeth throughout; however, though she tried, Mary Katherine was unable to pinpoint the circumstances under which she might have heard it.<ref>{{cite news|title = Kidnapper's voice sounded familiar|url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/928857/Kidnappers-voice-sounded-familiar.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021231755/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/928857/Kidnappers-voice-sounded-familiar.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = October 21, 2015|access-date = August 5, 2015|date = August 2, 2002|last = Snyder|first = Brady|newspaper = Deseret News}}</ref>

When she thought Elizabeth and the abductor had gone, Mary Katherine attempted to go to her parents' bedroom, but only narrowly avoided being seen by Mitchell and Elizabeth, who were outside the bedroom of the family's boys.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elizabeths-road-home/|title=Elizabeth's Road Home|access-date=February 10, 2007 | work=CBS News | date=February 4, 2003}}</ref> She crept back into her bed, where she hid for an undetermined {{nowrap|time{{px2}}{{mdash}}{{px2}}}}possibly over two hours.<ref name=":2"/>
Just before 4:00{{nbs}}a.m. Mary Katherine woke her parents and told them what had happened,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3341727|title=MSNBC, "Bringing Elizabeth Smart home"|website=[[NBC News]]|date=December 10, 2003 |access-date=February 10, 2007}}</ref> but thinking she had been dreaming, her parents did not believe her until they found a window screen that had been cut with a knife.<ref>{{cite news|title = Girl's family clings to hope|url = https://www.deseret.com/2002/6/10/19659772/girl-s-family-clings-to-hope/|access-date = August 5, 2015|date = June 9, 2002|newspaper = Deseret News|last = Jensen|first = Derek}}</ref>

==Search and investigation==
On June 6, 2002, Ed and Lois went on television and pleaded for the kidnapper to return their daughter.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2002/US/06/05/utah.teenager/index.html Father pleads for kidnapped Utah girl] CNN, June 6, 2002</ref>

A massive regional search effort, organized by the [[Laura Recovery Center]], involved up to 2,000 volunteers each day, as well as dogs and planes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://a.abcnews.com/GMA/wanda-barzee-pleads-guilty-elizabeth-smart-kidnapping/story?id=9111531|title=Wanda Barzee Pleads Guilty in Smart Kidnapping|author=Lisa Fletcher, Lindsay Goldwert|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=May 23, 2011|archive-date=September 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929211447/http://a.abcnews.com/GMA/wanda-barzee-pleads-guilty-elizabeth-smart-kidnapping/story?id=9111531|url-status=dead}}</ref> Various websites carried flyers that could be printed or circulated via the internet. After many days of intensive searching, the community-led search was ended and efforts were directed to other means of finding Elizabeth.

Mary Katherine's observations were of little use, and there was little usable evidence found at the scene such as [[fingerprint]]s or [[DNA]]. A search using [[bloodhound]]s was unsuccessful. Police questioned and interviewed hundreds of potential suspects including a 26-year-old who was cleared after being located in a West Virginia hospital. The investigation had the side effect of returning several at-large criminals to prison, but Elizabeth was not found.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Kidnap suspect in hospital|url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/22/1023864517169.html|website = smh.com.au|access-date =August 5, 2015|date = June 23, 2002|last = Nelson|first = James|publisher = The Sun-Herald}}</ref>{{Failed verification|reason=the article mentions that a single suspect was taken into custody and had outstanding warrants, not that "several" at-large "criminals" (i.e., already convicted) were "returned to prison"; it specifically mentions this person NOT having been a "suspect", contrary to this paragraph; it also does not speak to Elizabeth not having been going, especially as of June 2002 ... nor does it really address the other statements in this paragraph|date=May 2025}}

The Salt Lake City police considered Richard Ricci a person of interest early in the investigation.{{sfn|Haberman|MacIntosh|2003|p=158}} Ricci was a handyman with a history of drug abuse who had worked for the Smarts; he had been jailed on an unrelated parole violation prior.{{sfn|Haberman|MacIntosh|2003|pages=158–60}} Ricci died of a [[brain hemorrhage]] in August 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/doctors-say-richard-ricci-is-unlikely-to-regain-consciousness|title=Doctors Say Richard Ricci Is Unlikely to Regain Consciousness|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=August 30, 2002|access-date=May 23, 2011}}</ref>{{sfn|Haberman|MacIntosh|2003|p=219}}

To keep Elizabeth's name in the press, her family used a variety of strategies, including making a website about her abduction and providing home videos.{{sfn|Haberman|MacIntosh|2003|p=7}}

==Captivity==
After her kidnapping, Mitchell repeatedly told Smart that she was blessed that this was happening to her, and that she should be thankful, though Smart refused to believe him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2013 |title=Elizabeth Smart Shares About Her Faith And Kidnapping |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/01/01/258687244/elizabeth-smart-shares-about-her-faith-and-kidnapping |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=NPR}}</ref> Mitchell forced Smart to walk four miles in her nightgown into the woods to an encampment outside of Salt Lake City, where she was met by Wanda Barzee.<ref name=bio/><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Asma-Sadeque |first=Samira |date=June 7, 2024 |title=Elizabeth Smart family spoke out about kidnapping in a People True Crime special edition |url=https://people.com/elizabeth-smart-kidnapping-people-cover-story-8660214 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> According to Smart's testimony, Barzee "eventually just proceeded to wash my feet and told me to change out of my pajamas into a robe type of garment. And when I refused, she said if I didn't, she would have Brian Mitchell come rip my pajamas off. I put the robe on. He came and performed a ceremony, which was to marry me to him. After that, he proceeded to [[rape]] me many times."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last = Free|first = Cathy|url = https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smart-testifies-about-her-abduction-ordeal-in-horrifying-detail/|title = Elizabeth Smart Testifies About Her Abduction Ordeal in Horrifying Detail|work=People|date =January 10, 2009|access-date = October 9, 2013}}</ref> Mitchell claimed to be an [[angel]] and he also told Smart that he was a [[David]]ic King who would "emerge in seven years, be stoned by a mob, lie dead in the streets for three days and then rise up and kill the [[Antichrist]]."<ref name=oneill>{{cite web|work=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/08/utah.smart.trial/index.html|title=Documents trace strange odyssey of suspect in Smart kidnapping|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2017|author=O'Neill, Ann|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202200802/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-08/justice/utah.smart.trial_1_brian-david-mitchell-wanda-barzee-smart-kidnapping?_s=PM:CRIME|archive-date=December 2, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Smart, he insisted, was the first of many [[virginity|virgin]] brides he planned to kidnap, each of whom would accompany him as he battled the Antichrist.<ref name=oneill/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/the-one-mighty-and-strong/Content?oid=2151018|work=Salt Lake City Weekly|title=The One Mighty and Strong|access-date=November 19, 2017|author=Carrier, Scott|date=December 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022110339/http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/the-one-mighty-and-strong/Content?oid=2151018|archive-date=October 22, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To keep Smart from escaping, she was shackled to a tree with a metal cable around her leg, which allowed her limited mobility outside of the tent she occupied, or hidden in a hole covered by boards.<ref name=bio/><ref name=":3" /> During her captivity, she was forced to take a new name, and she chose the name Esther, after [[Esther]] of the [[Old Testament]] (Mitchell also called her [[Shear-jashub|Shearjashub]]).{{sfn|Smart|Stewart|2014|p=89}} It was later revealed during court testimony that Mitchell repeatedly raped Smart, sometimes multiple times a day, forced her to look at [[pornographic magazine]]s, and regularly threatened to kill her.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=ninemonths>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700080018/Elizabeth-Smart-describes-nine-months-of-hell-in-captivity-with-Brian-David-Mitchell.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113021708/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700080018/Elizabeth-Smart-describes-nine-months-of-hell-in-captivity-with-Brian-David-Mitchell.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2010|work=Deseret News|title=Elizabeth Smart describes 'nine months of hell' in captivity with Brian David Mitchell|author=Reavy, Pat|date=November 9, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2017}}</ref> He often forced her to drink alcohol and take drugs to lower her resistance, and both [[starvation|starved]] her and fed her garbage.<ref name=bio/><ref>{{cite web|work=ABC News|title=Elizabeth Smart Tells Court Kidnapper Tried to Snatch Her Cousin Too|date=November 9, 2010|access-date=November 17, 2017|author1=Stone, Alex |author2=Friedman, Emily |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/elizabeth-smart-testifies-alleged-abductor-brian-david-mitchell/story?id=12097885}}</ref> Smart's abuse was facilitated with the assistance of Barzee, whom Smart would later refer to as the "most evil woman" she had ever met.<ref name=bio/>

===Public appearances===
[[File:Leonardo_Exterior.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Salt Lake City Public Library]] building (now [[The Leonardo (Salt Lake City)|The Leonardo]] museum), one of several public locations where Smart accompanied her captors]]
Smart accompanied Mitchell and Barzee in public on numerous occasions, but her presence was either obscured or unnoticed via various methods of concealment, which often consisted of her wearing a headscarf and a face veil.<ref name=nyt/><ref name=bio/> In August 2002, around two months after Smart's kidnapping, Mitchell devised a plan to leave Salt Lake City with Barzee and Smart, possibly to [[Boston]] or [[New York City]].<ref name=bio/> To research potential places to relocate, Mitchell and Barzee visited the [[Salt Lake City Public Library]] with Smart. There, they were noticed by a library patron due to their unusual styles of dress; each wore full-length robes with veils which concealed most of their faces. The patron was convinced to call police after looking closely at Smart's eyes.<ref name="hunt">{{cite web|author=Hunt, Stephen|date=November 11, 2010|title=Detective testifies he was fooled by Mitchell's calm demeanor|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=50650045&itype=cmsid|access-date=November 19, 2017|work=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref> A police detective arrived at the library and confronted Mitchell, Barzee, and Smart; however, he was deterred by Mitchell, who claimed that Smart was his daughter (named Augustine Marshall<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/09/utah.elizabeth.smart.case/index.html|title=Elizabeth Smart describes 'nine months in hell'|website=www.cnn.com}}</ref>), and they were unable to remove their veils or garb on religious grounds.<ref name=bio/> When questioned by the detective, neither Barzee nor Smart spoke, and Mitchell stated that their religion prohibited women from speaking in public.<ref name=hunt/> Smart would later say that Barzee signaled her not to move, and she gripped her legs under the table.<ref name=bio/><ref name=reuters>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-utah-trial/elizabeth-smart-describes-near-rescue-during-captivity-idUSTRE6A84PE20101110|work=Reuters|title=Elizabeth Smart describes near-rescue during captivity|author=Nelson, James|date=November 10, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171119095442/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-utah-trial/elizabeth-smart-describes-near-rescue-during-captivity-idUSTRE6A84PE20101110|archive-date=November 19, 2017|url-status=live}} {{small|(Archive link requires scroll down)}}</ref> She later recalled the incident: "I felt like hope was walking out the door. I was mad at myself that I didn't say anything, mad at myself for not taking the chance. So close. I felt terrible that the detective hadn't pushed harder. He just walked away."<ref name=reuters/>

Smart also visited grocery stores and a restaurant but went unnoticed.<ref name=nyt/> In the fall of 2002, she attended a party with Mitchell and Barzee and was photographed wearing a veil and robe with Mitchell and another party guest.<ref>{{cite web|work=Deseret News|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/465032983/Mitchell-was-odd-familiar-figure-downtown.html|title=Mitchell was odd, familiar figure downtown|author1=Thalman, James |author2=Jarvik, Elaine |date=March 13, 2003|access-date=November 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828033020/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/465032983/Mitchell-was-odd-familiar-figure-downtown.html|archive-date=August 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Move to San Diego===
In September 2002, Mitchell and Barzee left Salt Lake City with Smart, relocating to [[San Diego County, California]], where they held Smart in an encampment in a dry creek bed in [[Lakeside, California|Lakeside]].<ref>{{Cite web|work=NBC San Diego|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Elizabeth-Smart-San-Diego-Womens-Week-Speech-Harrahs-Lakeside-251450561.html|title=Elizabeth Smart Returns to San Diego for First Time Since Kidnapping|author1=Dean, Monice |author2=Stickney, R. |date=March 21, 2014|access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref> Mitchell and Barzee relocated with Smart several times to different encampments in San Diego County, often moving in the middle of the night.<ref name=ninemonths/> On February 12, 2003, Mitchell was arrested in [[El Cajon, California|El Cajon]] for breaking into a church and spent several days in jail over the incident.<ref name=ninemonths/>

==Discovery==
In October 2002, Smart's sister Mary Katherine suddenly realized that the abductor's voice was that of an unemployed man the family knew as Immanuel,<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite magazine|title = The Miracle Girl|url = https://people.com/archive/cover-story-the-miracle-girl-vol-59-no-12 |access-date = September 16, 2020|magazine = People|date = March 31, 2003|last = Tresniowski|first = Alex}}</ref> whom the family had hired for a day to work on the roof and rake leaves.<ref>[http://www.courttv.com/news/smart/ CourtTV site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208010035/http://www.courttv.com/news/smart/ |date=February 8, 2005}} with extensive information on the case from its inception</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thislife.org/pages/descriptions/05/286.html |title=Mind Games |access-date=September 6, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231191527/http://www.thislife.org/pages/descriptions/05/286.html |archive-date=December 31, 2006 }} audio report episode of ''[[This American Life]]'' (April 8, 2005) with a story about why people did not notice Elizabeth Smart on the street. Preserved in the [[Internet Archive]]'s [[Digital time capsule|Wayback Machine]].</ref><ref name=duffy>{{cite journal |last1=Duffy |first1=John-Charles |title=The Making of Immanuel: Brian David Mitchell And The Mormon Fringe |journal=Sunstone |date=October 2003 |url=https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/129-34-45.pdf}}</ref>

The police were skeptical because of the short time "Immanuel" had worked for the family, the long time that elapsed, and the short time Mary Katherine had heard the abductor's voice; however, the family had a sketch artist<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-28-Mon-2004/news/24178055.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029231012/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-28-Mon-2004/news/24178055.html|archive-date=October 29, 2004|title='GOD GIVEN' GIFT: Sketch artist finds her calling|author=Frank Geary |date=June 28, 2004|newspaper=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref> draw "Immanuel's" face from their descriptions, and in February this drawing was released to the media; it was shown on ''[[Larry King Live]]'' and ''[[America's Most Wanted]]''. The drawing was recognized by relatives of Mitchell, who gave police contemporary photographs of him.<ref>{{cite web |title=Police Seek Handyman In Kidnapping |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/20/us/police-seek-handyman-in-kidnapping.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2020 |date=February 20, 2003}}</ref>

On March 12, 2003, Mitchell was spotted with a woman and a girl in [[Sandy, Utah]], by two separate couples who had seen photos of Mitchell on the news.<ref name=nyt/> The woman was Wanda Barzee, and the girl was Elizabeth Smart—disguised in a gray wig, sunglasses, veil, and t-shirt wrapped around her head.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> Both couples reported their recognition of Mitchell to the Sandy Police Department, which immediately dispatched police officers to the location.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |title=Elizabeth Smart found alive in Sandy |url=https://www.deseret.com/2003/3/13/19781761/elizabeth-smart-found-alive-in-sandy |website=Deseret News |language=en |date=March 13, 2003}}</ref> When asked, Smart told the officers that her name was Augustine Marshall.<ref name=":3" /> However, she was recognized as Elizabeth Smart during questioning by the officers, who then rescued her and arrested Mitchell and Barzee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Dean E. |title=Utah Girl, 15, Is Found Alive 9 Months After Kidnapping |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/13/us/utah-girl-15-is-found-alive-9-months-after-kidnapping.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2020 |date=March 13, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Elizabeth Smart Found Alive |url=https://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/03/12/smart.kidnapping/ |website=CNN |date=March 13, 2003}}</ref> Even after Smart was separated from Mitchell and Barzee, she insisted her name was Augustine Marshall. Officer Karen Jones handcuffed Smart, according to regulations, and Sergeant Victor Quezada asked again, "Are you Elizabeth?" "Thou sayest," Smart replied.<ref name=":3" />
{{quote box
| quote = "Today, Elizabeth was introduced to the [[AMBER Alert]] when she asked about a videotape in my office. After watching the coverage, Elizabeth asked why the legislation has not passed when it saves so many children's lives ... I could not give her an answer."
| source = Section of open letter penned by Ed, Lois and Elizabeth Smart to the [[United States House of Representatives]]. March 18, 2003.<ref>''Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope'' {{ISBN|978-1-593-35517-3}} Ch. 23</ref>
| width = 30em
}}
One month after the recovery of Elizabeth Smart, the state of Utah superseded the then-existing [[Murder of Rachael Runyan#Federal impact|Rachael Alert]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Ten-year Anniversary: 'Everything Changed After Elizabeth,' Law Enforcement Says of Missing Children Cases |date=June 4, 2012 |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865556927/Everything-changed-after-Elizabeth-law-enforcement-says-of-missing-children-cases.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607054338/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865556927/Everything-changed-after-Elizabeth-law-enforcement-says-of-missing-children-cases.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 7, 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2019|work=Deseret News}}</ref> with the nationwide [[Amber alert|AMBER alert]] [[child abduction alert system]]—in part to conform with recently implemented nationwide procedures. Although the Rachael Alert was superseded, this system had seen a success in the two years of its existence.<ref name="Deseret News">{{cite news|title=Utah's Rachael Alert Switches to AMBER Alert |date=April 12, 2003 |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/976222/Utahs-Rachael-Alert-switches-to-AMBER-Alert.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923023448/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/976222/Utahs-Rachael-Alert-switches-to-AMBER-Alert.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |access-date=February 4, 2019|newspaper=Deseret News}}</ref>{{refn|group=n|The Rachael Alert system was named after a three-year-old named [[Murder of Rachael Runyan|Rachael Runyan]], who had been abducted and murdered in 1982. Prior to the implementation of the Rachael Alert child abduction alert system in Utah, her parents had relentlessly campaigned for the implementation of an effective method to alert the public and law enforcement of child abductions and general child safety in Utah. Rachael Alert was formally inaugurated in May 2002<ref name="Deseret News"/><ref>''In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation'' {{ISBN|1-55652-579-6}} p. 73</ref>}}

=== Aftermath ===
Smart was put in a car to be taken to a local police station. While in the car, she began to cry and asked, 'What's going to happen to them [Mitchell and Barzee]? Are they going to be okay?"<ref name=":3" /> However, in her 2017 television film ''[[I Am Elizabeth Smart]]'', she denied having Stockholm syndrome.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stump |first=Scott |date=2017-11-14 |title=Elizabeth Smart on the one question that won't go away: 'Why didn't you run?' |url=https://www.today.com/news/elizabeth-smart-one-question-won-t-go-away-why-didn-t118795 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=TODAY |language=en}}</ref> She then arrived at the police station, where she was reunited with her family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ott |first=Tim |date=2021-04-19 |title=Elizabeth Smart: A Complete Timeline of Her Kidnapping, Rescue and Aftermath |url=https://www.biography.com/crime/elizabeth-smart-timeline-story |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Biography |language=en-US}}</ref> Once she was back at home, she watched a film, read emails sent by well-wishers, played her harp, met her family's two new dogs, and slept in the same bed Mitchell had taken her from. The next day, her family threw a party to make up for her 15th birthday, which had passed when Smart had still been in captivity. Though she did not attend, she sent a poster board to the party that read "I am the luckiest girl in the world!" That day, Smart painted her nails and opened birthday presents. The same day, she had her hair cut by a family friend.<ref name=":3" /><!-- Cites all four sentences -->

Smart married Matthew Gilmour in February 2012, after meeting while on a Mormon mission in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Char |date=February 3, 2017 |title=How Elizabeth Smart Met and Married Matthew Gilmour |url=https://people.com/human-interest/elizabeth-smart-marriage-to-matthew-gilmour/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> They have three children, a daughter born in February 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2015 |title=Elizabeth Smart Welcomed Daughter Chloe in February |url=https://people.com/parents/elizabeth-smart-welcomes-daughter-chloe/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> a son born in April 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Char |date=April 16, 2017 |title=Elizabeth Smart Welcomes Baby Boy: See the Photo |url=https://people.com/parents/elizabeth-smart-second-child-birth-boy/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> and a daughter born in November 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Juneau |first=Jen |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Meet Baby Olivia! Elizabeth Smart Welcomes Third Child: 'So Happy' |url=https://people.com/parents/elizabeth-smart-welcomes-daughter-olivia/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref> As of 2023, the family lives in [[Wasatch County, Utah]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Free |first=Cathy |date=March 11, 2023 |title=Elizabeth Smart, rescued 20 years ago, now teaches others to fight back |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/03/10/elizabeth-smart-kidnap-rescue-anniversary/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==Legal proceedings==
===Competency evaluations===
The court requested that Mitchell undergo a [[Competence (law)|competency evaluation]],<ref name=facts/> based on his claims of being a religious [[prophet]].<ref name=inside>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/inside-mind-elizabeth-smarts-kidnapper/story?id=14318730|work=ABC|title=Inside the Mind of Elizabeth Smart's Kidnapper|date=August 19, 2011|author=Effron, Laura|access-date=November 19, 2017}}</ref> While awaiting the evaluation, Mitchell was incarcerated at the [[Utah State Hospital]]. Stephen Golding, a psychologist hired by the defense, distinguished between zealous belief and delusion, and concluded that Mitchell's beliefs transcended zeal and were in fact delusional. It was Golding's opinion that Mitchell was not competent to stand trial as a result of his delusions. The court, however, overruled Golding's opinion and found Mitchell to be competent in 2004.<ref name="DBMD">{{cite web|url= https://abcnews.go.com/images/TheLaw/SmartDocs.pdf |title=US v. Brian David Mitchell Decision |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] }}&nbsp;{{small|(556 KB)}}</ref> Plea negotiations subsequently began between the defense and the prosecution. The defendant was willing to plead guilty to kidnapping and burglary for a 10- to 15-year sentence on condition that Smart should not testify. The prosecution refused to drop sexual assault charges against Mitchell, and no agreement was reached.<ref name="DBMD"/>

On October 15, 2004, plea negotiations had still not determined an agreement. The defense appealed as late as October 21, asking the prosecution to rethink their position in terms of what they were offering Mitchell. Up until this point the defense did not highlight breakdown in competence as a contributing factor to the deterioration of plea negotiations; they cited the lack of a coming to an agreement as being the result of the sole discretion of their client. The appeal was subsequently rejected.

Jennifer Skeem, a psychologist who initially stated that Mitchell was competent, interviewed Mitchell again per the defense's request in February 2005. After this interview, Heidi Buchi, Mitchell's attorney, filed a brief stating that Mitchell was no longer competent to stand trial. Mitchell subsequently began to act out in court, while jail staff observed no change in his behavior and thought process. Ultimately, Judge Judy Atherton agreed with the defense, asserting that Mitchell's behavior reflected psychosis. The defendant re-entered Utah State hospital on August 11, 2005, and remained there until 2008. While he was in the hospital, no staff members observed Mitchell being paranoid in a pathological sense.

In February 2006, a bill went before the [[Utah State Legislature|Utah legislature]] to allow prosecutors to apply for forcible medication on defendants to restore their competence to face trial. Permission to forcibly medicate Wanda Barzee was also sought, relying upon the [[U.S. Supreme Court]]'s decision in ''[[Sell v. United States]]'' (2003), which permits compulsory medication when the state can demonstrate a compelling interest is served by restoring a person's competence and that medication would not harm the person or prevent them from defending themself. In June 2006, a Utah judge approved the forcible medication of Barzee so that she could stand trial.

On December 18, 2006, Mitchell was again declared unfit to stand trial in the Utah state courts after screaming at a judge during a hearing to "forsake those robes and kneel in the dust."<ref name=facts/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Reavy|first1=Pat|title=Highly agitated Mitchell still incompetent for trial|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650216140/Highly-agitated-Mitchell-still-incompetent-for-trial.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021205242/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650216140/Highly-agitated-Mitchell-still-incompetent-for-trial.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2014|newspaper=Deseret News|access-date= June 30, 2014|date= December 19, 2006}}</ref> Doctors had been trying to treat Mitchell without drugs, but prosecutor Kent Morgan said after the scene in court that a request was likely to be made for permission to forcibly administer drugs. On December 12, 2008, it was reported that Mitchell could not legally be forcibly medicated by the State of Utah to attempt to restore his mental competency, also claiming that it is "unnecessary and needlessly harsh," and therefore a violation of the Utah state constitution, to prolong trial proceedings to this length.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=Stephen|title=Defense wants state charges against Mitchell dismissed|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11198169|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=June 30, 2014|date=December 11, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181418/http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11198169|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

The case was eventually transferred to Federal court on October 10, 2008. Issues of competency proved to be the crux of the case, and the court held an evidentiary hearing on Mitchell's competency on October 1, 2009, and November 30 through December 11, 2009. On one occasion during a hearing in October, it was reported that Mitchell burst out singing [[hymn]]s in court.<ref name=facts/> During one of these hearings, Smart described Mitchell as "smart, articulate, evil, wicked, manipulative, sneaky, slimy, selfish, greedy, not spiritual, not religious, not close to God."<ref name=testimony>{{Cite web|title = The testimony of Elizabeth Smart|url = http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13462888|access-date = October 9, 2013|work = The Salt Lake Tribune|date = October 1, 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021214629/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13462888|archive-date = October 21, 2013}}</ref>

Competency evaluations conducted by Noel Gardner, [[Michael Welner]] and Richart DeMier were presented at the hearing. Gardner maintained that he believed Mitchell was fully aware of his actions and was attempting to deceive the court. Welner, another witness in the case, reviewed 210 sources and 57 separate interviews including Mitchell, his wife Wanda Barzee, his family, and Elizabeth Smart. The Court credited Welner with presenting a 206-page report.<ref name="CST">{{cite web |url= http://www.forensicpanel.com/data/Unsorted/BDM_CST_Report.pdf |title= Brian David Mitchell CST Report |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120327140904/http://www.forensicpanel.com/data/Unsorted/BDM_CST_Report.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2012}}&nbsp;{{small|(1.56 MB)}}</ref> Welner opined that Mitchell was competent to stand trial, and diagnosed him with non-exclusive [[pedophilia]], [[antisocial personality disorder]], [[narcissistic personality disorder]], [[malingering]] and [[alcohol abuse]] in a controlled environment.<ref name=inside/> Welner believed that Mitchell was highly manipulative and used his religious expression as a way to coax people into overlooking his high function and dismissing him as delusional.<ref name=inside/> Experts for the defense including Dr. DeMier, a clinical psychologist, did not dispute these diagnoses; they maintained he had a concurrent fixed delusional disorder, believing that Mitchell was mentally ill at the time of the crime, and this greatly impaired his judgment. Mitchell was deemed competent to stand trial on March 1, 2010.

===Prosecution and sentencing===
Wanda Barzee eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to concurrent terms of 15 years in state and federal prison. However, due to the delays and mental evaluations, it took Mitchell's case almost eight years to come to court.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Newspapers provide context in Elizabeth Smart Abduction|last1 = Bullock|first1 = Cathy Ferrand|date = 2013|journal = Newspaper Research Journal|doi = 10.1177/073953291303400403|last2 = Spratt|first2 = Margaret|last3 = John|first3 = Sue Lockett|volume = 34|issue = 4|pages = 24–39|s2cid = 141615725}}</ref>

Mitchell's trial began on November 8, 2010. The defense acknowledged that Mitchell was responsible for the crimes, but contended that he was [[Insanity defense|legally insane]] at the time of the crime, and should therefore be found [[Insanity defense|not guilty by reason of insanity]].<ref name="DBMD"/> The insanity defense for Mitchell was rejected on December 11, 2010, when the jury found him guilty of kidnapping and transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual activity.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Romboy|first1=Dennis|title=Mitchell sentenced to life behind bars for kidnapping Elizabeth Smart|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705373319/Mitchell-sentenced-to-life-behind-bars-for-kidnapping-Elizabeth-Smart.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528033427/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705373319/Mitchell-sentenced-to-life-behind-bars-for-kidnapping-Elizabeth-Smart.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|access-date=June 30, 2014|date= May 25, 2011}}</ref> U.S. District Judge [[Dale A. Kimball]] sentenced Mitchell to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mitchell is currently serving his sentence at [[United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute|U.S. Penitentiary, Terre Haute]], a high-security [[Federal Bureau of Prisons|federal prison]] in [[Terre Haute, Indiana]].

In 2016, Barzee's federal imprisonment was terminated and she was transferred from the [[Federal Medical Center, Carswell]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], to the [[Utah State Prison]] in [[Draper, Utah]], to begin serving her state prison sentence. She was released in September 2018, which Smart protested.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elizabeth-smart-kidnapper-wanda-barzee-due-be-released-prison-wednesday-n910966|title=Elizabeth Smart kidnapper Wanda Barzee released from prison|website=NBC News|date=September 19, 2018 }}</ref>

==Timeline==
* Oct-Nov 2001 - Approximately seven months prior to the abduction, Elizabeth's mother found Mitchell, calling himself "Immanuel," begging for change in downtown Salt Lake City, and hired him to repair the family's roof and rake leaves, a job lasting about five hours.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.courttv.com/news/2003/0314/smart_ap.html|title = Authorities examine bond between Elizabeth Smart, captors|access-date = February 8, 2005|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050208053259/http://www.courttv.com/news/2003/0314/smart_ap.html|archive-date = February 8, 2005|url-status = dead|date = March 14, 2003}}</ref>

===Abduction and investigation===
* June 4, 2002 – The Smart family arrives late at the Bryant Middle School awards function; Elizabeth receives awards in physical fitness and academics but does not play her harp as planned. Family returns home and retires to bed.<ref name=bio/>
* June 5, 2002 – Elizabeth is abducted from her bedroom in the early hours of the morning. Mary Katherine, her sister, is a witness to the crime. Elizabeth is held prisoner at a camp in Dry Creek Canyon, the entrance to which is a short distance from the Smart family house.
* June 6, 2002 – A reward for her rescue is set at $250,000.
* June 7, 2002 – A milkman reports suspicious activities of Bret Michael Edmunds in neighborhood.
* June 9, 2002 – Ed Smart is questioned and polygraphed.
* June 12, 2002 – Manhunt for Bret Michael Edmunds.
* June 14, 2002 – Suspect Richard Ricci is arrested on unrelated charges.
* June 21, 2002 – Bret Michael Edmunds caught at City Hospital in [[Martinsburg, West Virginia]], and questioned the next day.
* June 24, 2002 – Richard Ricci arrest announced.
* July 11, 2002 – Richard Ricci charged with theft in the Smart home. Denies any involvement with Elizabeth's kidnapping.
* July 24, 2002 – Attempted kidnapping at the house of Elizabeth's cousin.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.courttv.com/news/smart/040403_cousin_ap.html|title = Father says younger cousin of Elizabeth Smart target of alleged break-in|access-date = October 2, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030409104016/http://www.courttv.com/news/smart/040403_cousin_ap.html|archive-date = April 9, 2003|url-status = dead|date = April 4, 2003}}</ref>
* August 2002 – Salt Lake City Detective Richey, based on a tip, confronts Smart and her kidnappers at the City Library. He is deflected from examining Smart's face by a religious argument. Smart later testified, "I felt like hope was walking out the door", as the detective accepted the argument and left.<ref name=bio>{{cite AV media|title=Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography|publisher=A&E Networks|date=November 12, 2017|url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/elizabeth-smart-autobiography}}</ref>
* August 2002 – Mitchell, Barzee, and Elizabeth leave Dry Creek Canyon and go to Salt Lake City.
* August 27, 2002 – Richard Ricci collapses.
* August 30, 2002 – Richard Ricci dies of brain hemorrhage.
* September 17, 2002 – Police suspend regular briefings with the Smart family.
* September 27, 2002 – Police arrest Mitchell for shoplifting and later release him.
* September 28, 2002 – Barzee and Elizabeth are spotted in the town of [[Lakeside, California]], in [[San Diego County]].
* October 12, 2002 – Mary Katherine remembers the voice of the kidnapper as that of the man they knew as "Immanuel".
* February 3, 2003 – Smart family releases the sketch of the man known as Immanuel.
* February 12, 2003 – Mitchell is arrested in [[El Cajon, California]], in San Diego County, for breaking into a church. He was not recognized as the criminal wanted in Utah.
* February 15, 2003 – ''[[America's Most Wanted]]'' features "Immanuel" and requests responses.
* February 16, 2003 – Mitchell's family identifies him to police as the man known as "Immanuel".
* February 17, 2003 – Newly published, more recent photographs of Mitchell made available.
* March 5, 2003 – Mitchell, Barzee, and Elizabeth leave [[San Diego County, California]].
* March 12, 2003 – Elizabeth Smart is found alive in the city of [[Sandy, Utah]].

===Aftermath===
[[File:Elizabeth Smart White House.jpg|thumb|right|Smart with her mother, Lois, and [[George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]] at the signing of the [[PROTECT Act of 2003]]]]
* March 18, 2003 – Mitchell and Barzee are charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated burglary.
* April 30, 2003 – Elizabeth makes her first public appearance after her return.
* October 27, 2003 – ''[[Dateline NBC]]'' interview with Elizabeth.
* July 26, 2005 – Mitchell declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.
* December 18, 2006 – Mitchell again declared unfit to stand trial.
* April 30, 2008 – Ed Smart appears on ''Madeline McCann One Year On''.
* November 17, 2008 – ''People'' magazine features Elizabeth Smart as one of their heroes of the year. In the article Elizabeth says she plans to live in England next year.
* October 2009 – In a court hearing Elizabeth Smart described Mitchell as "smart, articulate, evil, wicked, manipulative, sneaky, slimy, selfish, greedy, not spiritual, not religious, not close to God."<ref name="testimony"/>
* November 17, 2009 – Barzee sentenced to 15 years for her role in the kidnapping.
* March 1, 2010 – Mitchell ruled competent to stand trial.<ref name="The Salt Lake Tribune">{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_14492043|title=Mitchell ruled competent to stand trial in Elizabeth Smart abduction|access-date=February 1, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304170434/http://www.sltrib.com/ci_14492043|archive-date=March 4, 2010}}</ref>
* December 10, 2010 – Mitchell convicted in Smart abduction.
* May 25, 2011 – Mitchell is sentenced to two life sentences in federal prison for the kidnapping of Smart.<ref name="NY Times - Life in prison">{{cite news|title=Life in Prison for Kidnapper of Smart|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/05/25/us/AP-US-Elizabeth-Smart.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 25, 2011|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110525230340/http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/05/25/us/AP-US-Elizabeth-Smart.html|archive-date=May 25, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Eyder|last=Peralta|title=Former Street Preacher Sentenced To Life In Kidnapping Of Elizabeth Smart|access-date=October 12, 2013|date=May 25, 2011|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/05/26/136657949/former-street-preacher-sentenced-to-life-in-kidnapping-and-sexual-assault-of-elizabeth-smart |website=npr.org}}</ref>
* September 11, 2018 – The [[Utah Board of Pardons and Parole]] announced Barzee is scheduled to be released on September 19 because the board had failed to give her credit for time served in federal prison.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sang |first1=Lucia |title=Elizabeth Smart blasts kidnapper's pending release: 'It is incomprehensible' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/elizabeth-smart-blasts-kidnappers-pending-release-it-is-incomprehensible/ |website=Fox News |date=September 11, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2018}}</ref>
* September 19, 2018 – After serving nine years in prison 72-year-old Barzee is released from prison. She will be on parole, under federal supervision, for five years.<ref name="AP News September 2018">{{cite news |title=The Latest: Smart won't live in fear after kidnapper release |url=https://apnews.com/65297b816f5940f78c91288e67208d1e |access-date=September 23, 2018 |work=AP News |publisher=Associated Press |date=September 20, 2018 |location=DRAPER, Utah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Nicholas Hautman |title=Elizabeth Smart's Kidnapper Wanda Barzee Is Released From Prison |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/elizabeth-smarts-kidnapper-wanda-barzee-released-from-prison/ |access-date=September 23, 2018 |work=Us Weekly |date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> Upon release, she is a registered sex offender (Identification #: 1134472) in the state of Utah.<ref>{{cite web |title=Utah Department of Corrections Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry- Contact |url=http://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=1134472&AgencyID=54438 |website=www.icrimewatch.net |access-date=September 23, 2018 |quote=Registration&nbsp;number:&nbsp;1134472 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* December 31, 2018 – Three months after Barzee's release, it is revealed that she is living near a Salt Lake City elementary school. There appear to be no restrictions to how close she can live to a school, though Utah's state rules disallow her from going on school property.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper now lives near Salt Lake City elementary school|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2018/12/31/elizabeth-smarts/|access-date=June 4, 2019|publisher=Salt Lake Tribune|date=December 31, 2018}}</ref>
* May 1, 2025 - Barzee is arrested for visiting parks in violation of Utah law restricting sex offender movements.<ref>{{cite news|title=Who is Wanda Barzee? Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper arrested after visiting Utah parks, gives bizarre excuse|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-wanda-barzee-elizabeth-smarts-kidnapper-arrested-after-visiting-utah-parks-gives-bizarre-excuse-101746347063698-amp.html|access-date=May 4, 2025|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=May 4, 2025}}</ref>

==Media==
===Television interviews===
In October 2003, Elizabeth Smart and her parents were interviewed for a special segment of ''Dateline NBC.'' The interview, conducted by the ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'' show's [[Katie Couric]], featured Elizabeth's first interview with any media outlet. Couric questioned Elizabeth's parents about their experiences while Elizabeth was missing, including the Smarts' personal opinions concerning Elizabeth's captors. Couric then interviewed Elizabeth about school and her life following her kidnapping.

Shortly after the ''Dateline'' interview, Elizabeth Smart and her family were featured on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', where [[Oprah Winfrey|Winfrey]] questioned the Smarts about the kidnapping.

In July 2006, legal commentator and television personality [[Nancy Grace]] interviewed Elizabeth Smart, purportedly to talk about pending legislation on sex-offender registration, but repeatedly asked her for information about her experience. In response to the questioning, Elizabeth told Grace, "I really am here to support the bill and not to go into what, you know, what happened to me." When Grace persisted, asking Elizabeth what it was like to see out of a [[niqab]] her abductors forced her to wear, Elizabeth stated: "I'm really not going to talk about this at this time ... and to be frankly honest I really don't appreciate you bringing all this up." Grace did not pursue further questioning about the abduction.

Smart discussed child abductions on the January 22, 2024, season premiere of the rebooted ''[[America's Most Wanted]]'' with [[John Walsh (television host)|John Walsh]] and his son [[Callahan Walsh]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2024 |title=Elizabeth Smart, kidnapped at 14, shares how she survived |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/1402648 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=FOX 35 Orlando |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Literature===
The Smart family published a book, ''Bringing Elizabeth Home'' ({{ISBN|978-0385512145}}). Elizabeth's uncle Tom Smart co-authored a book with ''[[Deseret News]]'' journalist [[Lee Benson]], titled ''In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation'' ({{ISBN|978-1556526213}}), which criticized the investigation process by the Salt Lake City Police Department, as well as noting the media influences that led to her successful recovery.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smart|first1=Tom|last2=benson|first2=Lee|title=In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation|publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]]|year=2005|isbn=1-55652-579-6|url=https://archive.org/details/inplainsightstar00smar}}</ref>

===Film depictions===
The kidnapping was depicted in the 2003 television film ''[[The Elizabeth Smart Story]]'', which was directed by [[Bobby Roth]], and based on the book ''Bringing Elizabeth Home''. It starred [[Amber Marshall (actor)|Amber Marshall]] as Elizabeth Smart, [[Dylan Baker]] and [[Lindsay Frost]] as her parents, and [[Tom Everett]] as Brian David Mitchell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/the-elizabeth-smart-story-v358946 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718023906/http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/the-elizabeth-smart-story-v358946 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |title=The Elizabeth Smart Story (2003) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie |publisher=Allrovi.com |date=November 9, 2003 |access-date=October 9, 2013 }}</ref> It was nominated for three [[Young Artist Awards]] in 2004. The film first aired on [[CBS]] on November 9, 2003, eight months after Elizabeth was found.

In 2017 on the 15th anniversary of her abduction, [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] aired the made-for-TV film titled ''[[I Am Elizabeth Smart]]'', narrated and produced by Smart, which tells the story of her kidnapping from her own perspective. The film starred [[Alana Boden]] as Elizabeth Smart, [[Skeet Ulrich]] as Brian David Mitchell, and [[Deirdre Lovejoy]] as Wanda Ileen Barzee.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Saraiya |first=Sonia |title=Lifetime's 'I Am Elizabeth Smart' |date=November 17, 2017 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |department=TV Reviews |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/ |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171126153148/http://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/ |archive-date=November 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Also airing in 2017 is ''[[Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography]]'' from [[Biography (TV series)|Biography]], a two-hour telefilm.

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Utah|Biography|Latter Day Saints}}
* [[List of long-term false imprisonment cases]]
* [[List of kidnappings]]
* [[List of messiah claimants]]
* [[List of solved missing person cases: post-2000|List of solved missing person cases]]
* [[Child abduction scare of 2002]]
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=n}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Cited works and further reading==
* {{cite book |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=MacIntosh |first2=Jeane |title=Held Captive: The Kidnapping and Rescue of Elizabeth Smart |year=2003 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0-060-58020-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/heldcaptivekidna00habe}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Murphy |first1=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-sn-_w5et94C |title=Guide for Implementing Or Enhancing an Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) |year=2011 |publisher=U. S. Department of Justice |location=Washington |isbn=978-1-437-98383-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smart |first1=Ed |last2=Smart |first2=Lois |last3=Morton |first3=Laura |title=Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope |year=2012 |publisher=Doubleday |location=New York |url-access=registration |isbn=978-1-593-35517-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/bringingelizabet00smar}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smart |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Stewart |first2=Chris |title=My Story |year=2014 |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |location=New York |url-access=registration |isbn=978-1-250-05545-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/mystory0000smar}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smart |first1=Tom |last2=Benson |first2=Lee |title=In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation |year=2005 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |location=Chicago |url-access=registration |isbn=1-55652-579-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/inplainsightstar00smar}}
* {{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Charles |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781420867831 |title=Faces of the Amber Alert |year=2005 |publisher=Author House |location=Bloomington, Indiana |url-access=registration |isbn=978-1-420-86783-1}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091004004400/http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=25470 Elizabeth Smart Missing Child Profile] at ''America's Most Wanted''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081220015347/http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=27599 Brian Mitchell Profile] at ''America's Most Wanted''

;Multimedia
*[http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/286/mind-games NPR's ''This American Life,'' episode #286: "Mind Games: The Invisible Girl"] – Writer/narrater, Scott Carrier; producer, [[Ira Glass]] (segment start: 43:30 minutes in podcast)
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smart, Elizabeth}}
[[Category:2000s in Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:2000s missing person cases]]
[[Category:2002 in Utah]]
[[Category:2003 in Utah]]
[[Category:2000s kidnappings in the United States]]
[[Category:Crimes in Utah]]
[[Category:Formerly missing American people]]
[[Category:History of Salt Lake County, Utah]]
[[Category:June 2002 crimes in the United States]]
[[Category:Kidnapped American children]]
[[Category:Missing person cases in Utah]]
[[Category:Mormonism and polygamy]]
[[Category:Mormonism and violence]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against girls]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse scandals in Mormonism]]
[[Category:Violence against women in Utah]]