Elizabeth Smart, who endured a horrific nine-month kidnapping as a teenager, has powerfully declared that 'happy endings' are achievable even after the most terrible trauma. Now 38, a mother of three, and happily married to a Scotsman, her story of resilience is the focus of a major new Netflix documentary.
A Harrowing National Case
In 2002, at just 14 years old, Elizabeth was abducted at knifepoint from her bed in her family's Salt Lake City home. The kidnapper was Brian David Mitchell, a man who had previously done odd jobs for the Smart family. Alongside his wife, Wanda Barzee, Mitchell subjected the teenager to a prolonged nightmare of physical and sexual abuse.
The case rapidly became one of the most high-profile and distressing child abduction investigations in American history. While her family never lost hope, many across the nation feared she had been murdered during the agonising search.
Rescue, Recovery, and a Scottish Connection
Elizabeth Smart's captivity finally ended on March 13, 2003, after she was recognised by alert citizens in her home state of Utah. Her rescue came after her captors' attempts to kidnap other young girls had failed.
The road to rebuilding her life led to an unexpected and joyful chapter. Six years after her ordeal, in 2009, she met Aberdeen man Matthew Gilbert while both were undertaking missionary work in France. He was unaware of her traumatic past when they first connected.
Their relationship blossomed, and after a proposal in 2012, the couple married in Hawaii a month later. They now have three children: daughters Olivia and Chloe, and a son named James.
Sharing Her Story to Give Hope
The new Netflix documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which premieres on January 21, delves into her experience using never-before-seen material. It features accounts from her family, including her younger sister Mary Katherine, who witnessed the abduction, as well as police and reporters involved in the case.
In a social media post ahead of the release, Elizabeth shared her profound hope for the film's impact. "I hope they realise they're not alone, and that they don't have to be ashamed of what happened to them," she wrote, addressing fellow survivors.
She emphasised a core message of her life today: "I also hope it brings comfort that there are happy endings – and that even after terrible things happen, you can still have a wonderful life." She has channelled her experience into advocacy, founding the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to help prevent crimes against children and support other victims of sexual violence.
Reflecting on her decision to speak out, she told Netflix's Tudum site that she wanted to give her story context and purpose. "I wanted to have some ownership over my story," she stated, explaining her journey from initial reluctance to becoming a powerful voice for recovery and hope.
