This January, Netflix released a true crime documentary about the kidnapping that had everyone talking in 2002. The series, entitled Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, takes a look at one of the most talked-about missing-persons cases in America. It also takes a closer look at Elizabeth’s abductors and how she moved forward from her harrowing experience.
Who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart?
Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped at 14-years-old by Brian Mitchell from her home.
In the documentary, Elizabeth vividly recalled the night Brian took her from her home. He told her he had a knife to her neck and to come with him or he would hurt her. When he finally got her to a campsite where his partner Wanda Barzee was waiting, Brian declared Elizabeth is wife and raped her.
The true crime series looked at the case from all angles. In the beginning, police suspected Elizabeth’s family because investigators often find that a family member is involved in cases like these. However, Elizabeth’s sister Mary Katherine Smart, who also appeared in the series, was able to connect Brian to the crime.
The Smart family met Brian when he was homeless, and they hired him to do some work around their home. He said that God commanded him to kidnap seven young girls to make his wives. He threatened Elizabeth that her sister and her cousin would likely join her, which terrified her into compliance.
Brian and Wanda took Elizabeth and left Salt Lake City while the search was ongoing. However, Elizabeth was able to convince them to return by playing along with Brian’s fantasy and telling him that God told her they needed to return to Salt Lake City and that he was a prophet.
Upon their return, the trio was spotted on the street and reported to the police, who eventually learned Elizabeth’s identity and returned her to her family. It had been nine months since the kidnapping.
The series shares never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts of what happened. It’s a must-see for true crime fans and among Netflix’s roster of new documentaries. They also recently released documentaries on big stars like Eddie Murphy and Charlie Sheen, and an explosive documentary about Diddy called Sean Combs: The Reckoning.
TELL US – HAVE YOU SEEN KIDNAPPED: ELIZABETH SMART YET? DID IT CHANGE THE WAY YOU SAW THE CASE?
