Elizabeth Smart has marked the 21st anniversary of her kidnap rescue with an emotional post in which she insisted ‘miracles do happen’.
The now 36-year-old took to social media to reflect positively on the milestone as she shared, “I believe in happy endings. I believe in dreams coming true.’
Smart was just 14 years old when she was kidnapped at knifepoint from her bed at the family’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 5, 2002.
She was held captive by Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee and raped repeatedly for nine months before being rescued on March 12, 2003.
Elizabeth Smart has marked the 21st anniversary of her kidnap rescue with an emotional post in which she insisted ‘miracles do happen’
Smart was just 14 years old when she was kidnapped at knifepoint from her bed at the family’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 5, 2002.
The mother of three, 36, took to social media to reflect positively on the milestone as she shared: ‘I believe in happy endings’
In a clip shared to TikTok on Tuesday, Smart spoke directly into the camera as she explained: “Today is March 12th and it will always be a reminder that miracles do happen and there are dreams that come true and good things abound present. in this world.
“For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Elizabeth Smart and in 2002 I was kidnapped and held hostage for nine months.
“But I was saved on March 12, 2003, so today marks 21 years since I was saved.”
She candidly continued, “I know birthdays mean a lot of different things to different people.
‘I respect what it means to everyone individually, but for me it’s really a reminder that life is good and dreams really do come true and we should never give up – because we all have hard times and we all have problems, but good ones come things and I think that’s very important.’
Smart, who now shares three children with husband Matthew Gilmour whom she married in 2012, cosaid, “I think it’s very important to enjoy the happiness in life and the joy in life, so wherever you are, I hope you find happiness.”
Elsewhere, she shared another touching caption on Instagram, writing: ‘I believe in miracles. I believe in happy endings. I believe in dreams coming true.
“Today marks 21 years since we were saved. My life is far from perfect, but I am so happy and grateful for the life I have today.
Elsewhere, she shared another touching caption on Instagram, writing: ‘I believe in miracles. I believe in happy endings. I believe in dreams coming true’
In 2002, Mitchell, a self-proclaimed prophet, kidnapped Smart with Barzee’s help and took her into the woods, where he performed a sham wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time.
Smart (pictured with her parents a month after being rescued) was held captive by Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee and raped repeatedly for nine months before being rescued on March 12, 2003.
‘When I was kidnapped, I thought I would never finish school, go to university, fall in love, get married or have a family. I thought every dream I had for myself was stolen.
‘For me, today is a celebration of all the happy moments in my life, and a reminder to never give up.
“I know that each of us has a story and that we all have our dark days in life, but I hope that everyone who reads this believes in miracles, dreams come true and hope for a better tomorrow.”
In 2002, Mitchell, a self-proclaimed prophet, kidnapped Smart with Barzee’s help and took her into the woods, where he performed a sham wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time.
To prevent her from escaping, she was tied up with steel cables in a dugout full of mice and spiders.
Smart was forced to use drugs and drink alcohol, she testified in 2009, and was raped daily — as many as four times a day.
In 2002, Mitchell (left), a self-proclaimed prophet, kidnapped Smart with the help of Barzee (right) and took her into the woods, where he performed a sham marriage ceremony before raping her for the first time.
Mitchell and Barzee’s trials dragged on for years due to delays and mental evaluations – it took almost eight years for Mitchell’s case to finally go to trial
Mitchell and Barzee later moved her to Lakeside, California, where they plotted to kidnap other girls.
But after their last failed kidnapping attempt, she convinced them to return to Utah.
Smart was rescued at the age of 15 after she and her captors were recognized by witnesses in Sandy, a city in Salt Lake County.
Mitchell and Barzee’s trials dragged on for years due to delays and mental evaluations. It took almost eight years for Mitchell’s case to finally come to trial.
Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes, but Barzee received only 15 years. In a settlement, she was given credit for the seven years she had already served.
Barzee was released from prison in September 2018 and has been living in the same city as Smart, despite the survivor’s pleas to the parole board not to release her.
Smart – who has since become a public speaker, author and advocate – founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011 and has been fighting against the victimization and exploitation of sexual violence for more than a decade.