What happened to Elizabeth Smart? Subject of Netflix’s Kidnapped

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This article contains mention of sexual assault that some reads may find distressing.

In 2002, the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart captured the nation’s attention and became one of the most highly publicized missing persons cases in American history.

A new documentary, Kidnapped, tells the story of Elizabeth’s abduction through firsthand accounts from Elizabeth and her family. It details her months in captivity and the eventual rescue that happened nine months later.

As a film buff, I’m really excited to hear that this new movie will deeply explore what Elizabeth and her family went through emotionally and mentally. It’s not just about the events themselves, but how they impacted everyone involved, and how the whole community worked to find out what happened. It sounds like a really thoughtful and character-driven story.

Read on to learn more about Elizabeth Smart and her harrowing ordeal.

What happened to Elizabeth Smart?

In the early morning hours of June 5, 2002, Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her home by someone who threatened her with a knife.

During her captivity, Elizabeth was sexually assaulted and often starved.

According to her autobiography, Elizabeth was chained to a tree by the leg with a metal cable to prevent her escape.

Who abducted Elizabeth Smart?

Brian David Mitchell abducted 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart.

Mitchell entered the home of Ed and Lois Smart and threatened Elizabeth with a knife. He then forced her to walk four miles through the woods near Salt Lake City, still wearing her nightgown, where she was met by his accomplice, Wanda Barzee.

How was Elizabeth Smart rescued?

In March 2003, Smart was discovered wandering the streets of Utah, far from her home. A couple who recognized her alerted authorities.

Police told us they believed they’d found a homeless girl who might be Elizabeth,” Smart’s father remembered saying at the time.

Where is Elizabeth Smart now?

Elizabeth Smart works as a child safety advocate and provides commentary for ABC News. She’s a strong voice for missing persons and has publicly criticized programs that only teach abstinence as a form of sex education.

She is married, and is a mother of three children.

Smart recently shared with People magazine how much happiness her children bring to her life, describing them as the embodiment of love.

You know, after everything I went through and finally getting home safe, I really shut down and didn’t want to talk about it with anyone. It was tough. Then, when the trial came around, I remember being on the stand, answering questions, and it felt so strange. It was like my words were just hanging there, completely lacking the bigger picture – the context of what actually happened. It was a really disorienting experience.

I realized that if my experiences were going to be public knowledge, I wanted them to matter and have a positive impact. I wanted to control how my story was told, and that’s what ultimately led me to share it.

She went on to say that she hoped anyone watching who had experienced something similar would know they aren’t alone and shouldn’t feel ashamed. She also expressed a wish that the program would help viewers develop empathy for families facing similar challenges.

I hope it helps to know that good things can still happen, and that even after difficult times, you can find happiness again.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-01-21 11:44