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Elizabeth Smart shared chilling details about her kidnapper’s sinister intentions toward her cousin, revealing he had a terrifying plan to abduct her as his new wife.
During a recent interview, Smart, who is now 38 years old, recounted how her captor had remarked, ‘She’s supposed to be the next wife.’ This statement echoed the disturbing ideology of Brian David Mitchell, who aimed to kidnap multiple young girls, seeing them as potential wives. Smart noted, ‘I just happened to be the first girl he kidnapped.’
Smart vividly recalled the moment she learned of her kidnapper’s plans, stating, ‘When he said that, my stomach dropped.’ She revealed that Mitchell meticulously crafted a scheme to abduct her cousin on July 24, a public holiday in Utah when people would be distracted by celebrations.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of dread, Smart expressed her concern by saying, ‘I felt terrible because I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I was going through.’
As one of the most recognized survivors of child abduction in the United States, Smart has transitioned into a powerful advocate for child safety and often speaks out for missing and exploited children. Her experiences and insights are prominently featured in the Netflix documentary ‘Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart,’ where she candidly narrates her harrowing story.
Revealing the Stalker
In her recent reflections, Smart disclosed that Mitchell had been monitoring her cousin Olivia Wright’s home, lurking around the property. During these harrowing times, Smart found herself praying constantly for her family’s safety. Mitchell had previously worked as a handyman for the Smart family, giving him an unsettling familiarity with their lives.
As Mitchell prepared to kidnap Wright, he believed it was a divine commandment, as Smart later relayed. He staked out her cousin’s house for hours until finding an opportunity to strike. On one occasion, he even positioned himself to climb through Olivia’s bedroom window to execute his plan.
A Failed Attempt
Fortunately, Smart’s intervention saved her cousin. ‘It was actually my older cousin’s bedroom window that he tried to climb through,’ she said. When Mitchell attempted to enter through the window, he unnervingly knocked over some items on the windowsill, awakening her uncle, who hurried into the room in alarm. This sudden presence thwarted Mitchell’s intentions.
Smart’s Traumatic Experience
Elizabeth Smart’s own abduction occurred on June 5, 2002, when she was just 14. Mitchell seized her at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City home and transported her to a desolate campsite. There, he and his wife, Wanda Barzee, subjected her to horrifying treatment.
Mitchell performed a mock marriage ceremony, claiming, ‘I hereby seal you to me as my wife before God and His angels as my witnesses.’ Smart faced unimaginable trauma, enduring repeated sexual assaults, forced isolation, and grooming through psychological manipulation. ‘For nine excruciating months, I was tied up and abused,’ she recounted in her narrative.
Connection Through Memories
Throughout her captivity, Smart clung to memories of her family. One day, during one of Mitchell’s meanderings about his own family, Smart made a desperate mention of her cousin Wright, signaling a moment of connection to the outside world. She described it as a moment of hope.
However, this brief relief morphed into horror when Smart recognized the implications of mentioning Olivia. She explained, ‘I was not allowed to talk about my family,’ illustrating the intense control her captors exerted over her narrative and emotional ties.
Debilitating Guilt
Smart described an anguishing guilt rooted in her connection to her cousin. She recalled feeling a mix of relief and horror when she learned that Mitchell’s attempt to connect with Olivia ultimately failed. There was a moment where Smart felt guilty for not wanting her devoted cousin to be taken, hoping that sharing her story might somehow provide an opportunity for companionship.
‘How careless could I possibly be to bring her up in front of a monster like Mitchell?’ Smart pondered. The realization that discussing her cousin might have endangered Olivia weighed heavily on her.
Life After Captivity
Smart’s tale reached a turning point in March 2003 when she was finally rescued after being recognized by vigilant civilians who spotted her with Mitchell. Now, she dedicates her life to advocacy, emphasizing the importance of hope and resilience in the face of trauma.
Mitchell, now 72 years old, faces a life sentence for his crimes, while Barzee served her time and was released in 2018. Reflecting on her ordeal, Smart noted, ‘You never know how strong you are until you go through something horrific.’
A Message of Hope
Ultimately, Smart’s story carries a powerful message about survival and the strength of the human spirit. She encourages those dealing with suffering to never abandon hope and to always find reasons to keep going. ‘Even through the worst of our experience, there is still good ahead. Life is still worth living.’
