Elizabeth Smart is back in the news after a ton of people checked out Netflix’s Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart. The new documentary series tells the story of Smart as she was abducted at just 14 years old.
True Crime fans already know the story backwards and forward. But, a ton of folks watching out there are hearing about Elizabeth Smart for the first time. Smart is still with us and doing better now. So, let’s explain what’s happened with her and what she’s doing now!
As we said, Smart was kidnapped back in 2002 by Brian David Mitchell. The man was a street preacher who had helped her family with odd jobs. Smart was missing for months before she randomly got recognized by a stranger. Authorities would rescue her in Sandy, Utah after the sighting.
Smart was repeatedly sexually assaulted by Mitchell while in his control. Her story became a national news item with the United States locked into the search for her in the early going. There was a measure of shock when she was discovered alive and well.
Smart talked to TUDUM about her life in Utah now. She’s married and has a family. But, the experience is one that she’s been able to put into perspective. The documentary subject said, “I hope that people who watch this [documentary can see] that even after terrible things happen, you can still have a wonderful life.”
Elizabeth Smart is still alive and living in Utah
With the past behind her, Smart married Matthew Gilmour. He’s from Scotland and didn’t know about her past in America. She likes Utah and isn’t thinking about leaving. A lot of people wonder if making this documentary would open up some old wounds. But, for Smart, she sees it as an opportunity to reach out to other survivors and let them know they aren’t alone. As you would expect, this woman has put massive resources into helping other people who might have experienced similar tragedy.
“Stories are so powerful. It’s why I agreed to do this [film],” Smart explained to Netflix’s Skip Intro. “Documentaries are how we learn, and they hit me in the heart and stay with me so much longer than [statistics] do. I want to give survivors a place to share their stories as a community. We also have our survivor fund, to try to help pay for medical costs, first and last month’s rent, airplane tickets, or scholarships. Our fund isn’t huge, but we try and do as much as we can to help survivors fill in the gaps.”
(featured image: Netflix)
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