When Elizabeth Smart was finally discovered on a street in Sandy, Utah, on March 12, 2003, the world watched in collective disbelief and relief. It had been nine agonizing months since the then-14-year-old had been snatched from her bedroom in the middle of the night. Her return was described by her family and the public as a miracle, a sentiment that remains just as potent decades later. In the new Netflix documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, set to premiere on January 21, her father, Ed Smart, recalls the breath-stealing moment of their reunion. He remembers asking her through tears if it was really her, and the profound weight of holding his eldest daughter again after fearing she was gone forever.
While the broad strokes of Elizabeth’s abduction by Brian David Mitchell are etched into the annals of American true crime, the documentary provides a more granular, intimate look at the investigation’s failures, the family’s internal collapse, and the sheer resilience of a young woman who refused to let her spirit be broken. Now 38 and a mother of three, Elizabeth has spent much of her adult life as a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual violence. However, this film allows her, alongside her father and siblings, to contextualize the trauma and the "what ifs" that still haunt the periphery of the case.
The documentary highlights a significant shift in Elizabeth’s perspective over the years. Following her rescue, she was understandably reluctant to discuss the harrowing details of her captivity. She reflects on the trial that eventually took place, noting that her testimony felt clinical and devoid of the surrounding context. She realized that if her story was going to be public property, she wanted to be the one to tell it, ensuring it served a greater purpose and allowed her to reclaim ownership over her narrative.
One of the most striking elements of the documentary is its exploration of the intense scrutiny placed on the Smart family in the early days of the search. Lead investigator Cory Lyman admits that while the Smarts appeared to be a quintessential, happy family, statistics often point to an internal perpetrator in such cases. This led authorities to seize a dozen computers and subject the family to grueling interrogations. The pressure was so immense that it nearly broke Ed Smart. After being told by his then-wife, Lois, that the police suspected him of hiding something, Ed suffered a psychological breakdown. He describes being overwhelmed by uncontrollable shaking, eventually leading his own father to admit him to a psychiatric ward for his own safety.
The suspicion also extended to Elizabeth’s uncle, Tom Smart, who became a fixture in the media. His anxious demeanor and an interview that didn’t translate well to the public eye fueled rumors that he was involved. Tom admits in the film that he likely looked "crazy" to viewers at the time, but emphasizes that his only priority was finding his niece, regardless of how he was perceived by law enforcement or the press.
The investigation was further complicated by several tragic dead ends. At one point, police discovered the badly burned remains of a young girl, forcing the Smarts to prepare for the worst. Though the victim was eventually identified as another individual, the emotional toll on the family was devastating. Then there was the case of Richard Ricci, a handyman who had worked at the Smart home. He became the primary suspect after being found with some of Lois Smart’s jewelry. Despite his denials and the insistence of Elizabeth’s younger sister, Mary Katherine, that he was not the kidnapper, police focused heavily on him. Ricci died of a brain aneurysm while in custody, leaving the investigation at a chilling standstill.
The true breakthrough came not from professional detectives, but from the sharp memory of nine-year-old Mary Katherine Smart. As the only witness to the abduction, she had been isolated by authorities to protect the integrity of her memory. Months after the disappearance, while reading a book of world records, the name "Emmanuel" flashed into her mind. She remembered the drifter who had done odd jobs for the family. This realization eventually led the Smarts to defy police orders and release a sketch of the man, whose real name was Brian David Mitchell.
Elizabeth’s own account of her time in captivity is a testament to her survival instincts. She was held in a mountain encampment by Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She recalls the chilling moment she heard search parties calling her name nearby, only for Mitchell to threaten her life with a knife, forcing her into silence. The abuse she suffered was both physical and psychological; Mitchell used religious manipulation to justify his crimes, claiming he was a prophet acting on divine command.
The documentary reveals how Elizabeth eventually used Mitchell’s own delusions against him. Fearing that they would move to a distant city where she would never be found, she convinced Mitchell that God wanted them to return to Salt Lake City. This strategic move directly led to their encounter with police in Sandy, Utah. When Officer Victor Quezada confronted her, Elizabeth was initially too terrified to identify herself, fearing her captors would retaliate. It was only when the officer pleaded for the sake of her family that she gave a cryptic, biblical confirmation: "Thou sayeth."
The legal aftermath of the case saw Brian David Mitchell sentenced to life in prison without parole. Now 72, he was recently transferred to a medium-security facility in Pennsylvania following several assaults by other inmates. Wanda Barzee, however, served 15 years and was released in 2018, a move that the Smart family vehemently opposed. Barzee’s legal troubles have continued; in May 2025, she was arrested for violating the terms of her sex offender status by entering public parks.
Notably absent from the documentary is Elizabeth’s mother, Lois Smart, who divorced Ed in 2019. Elizabeth explains that while her mother was instrumental in her healing process, she has chosen to leave that chapter of her life firmly in the past.
Today, Elizabeth Smart’s life is defined not by her victimization, but by her accomplishments and her family. A graduate of Brigham Young University and a talented harpist, she found love with Matthew Gilmour while on a mission in Paris. They now share a life in Hawaii with their three children. Elizabeth acknowledges that she still has difficult days, but her internal monologue has shifted from self-blame to a recognition of her own strength. Through her books, films, and public speaking, she continues to turn a national tragedy into a beacon of hope for others, proving that while the past cannot be changed, the future can be reclaimed.
