Elizabeth Smart Calls Baby Sister Her 'Hero' During Her Kidnapping, 'Had She Not Remembered...'

Netflix is currently streaming its new documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which started premiering on January 21, 2026. The 2002 haunting case of a 14-year-old’s kidnapping in America has once again come into the spotlight. It’s been two decades since Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping, and in the recent documentary, Elizabeth herself narrated her ordeal.

Elizabeth Smart called her baby sister, Mary Katherine, her ‘hero’

In an interview with TODAY, Elizabeth Smart recalled the fateful night and revealed that it was her 9-year-old sister, Mary Katherine, who heard the kidnapper’s voice. Elizabeth revealed that Mary was present in the bedroom when the 14-year-old Elizabeth was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom.

It was Mary’s ability to recognise the kidnapper’s voice, which became the turning point in the case. However, after a few weeks, Mary remembered hearing him being called "Immanuel". Eventually, the clue enabled police to identified the kidnapper as Brian David Mitchell, and they released a sketch of the suspect on America's Most Wanted. 

Mary’s role in Elizabeth’s rescue is also mentioned in the documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart. Speaking about her baby sister’s bravery, Elizabeth said:

“She’s my hero, she saved me. Had she not remembered who had kidnapped me, who’s to say that I would be here today. The police all had their suspects, and my captor I don’t even think was on their radar at all. So she is my hero.”

What happened to Elizabeth Smart, and how was she rescued?

Elizabeth Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in 2002 by Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. The kidnappers threatened her if she alerted her parents. The kidnapper couple took Elizabeth to a tent in the mountains outside Salt Lake City. While being held captive, Mitchell raped and tortured Elizabeth nearly every day for nine months.

The authorities investigated everyone, including Elizabeth’s father and a former contractor who worked on the house, but to no avail. However, it was Elizabeth’s younger sister, Mar,y who recognised the voice that she heard in their bedroom when Elizabeth was kidnapped. It eventually became the turning point in the case.

While the search-and-rescue operation was underway, two couples alerted the police. They believed seeing Elizabeth Smart after recognising Mitchell and Barzee from an episode of “America’s Most Wanted.” Elizabeth was rescued on March 12, 2003, and her kidnapper, Mitchell, is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted of kidnapping and raping Elizabeth. On the other hand, Barzee, who was sentenced to 15 years for her role in the kidnapping, was released from a Utah prison in 2018.

Have you watched the documentary, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart?

Also Read: Chris Noth Slams Sarah Jessica Parker's Reaction To Sexual Assault Allegations Against Him

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)