Where are Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers now? Here's what became of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda ...

Netflix's 'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart' delves into Mitchell and Barzee's heinous crimes. Where are Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers now? Here's what became of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee Netflix's 'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart' delves into Mitchell and Barzee's heinous crimes. By Allison DeGrushe :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/allisondegrusheEWbiophotoe5f8e89253c84b7085a43c502a3051a4.jpg) Allison DeGrushe Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at . She has been working at since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify. EW's editorial guidelines January 21, 2026 12:13 p.m.

Netflix's 'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart' delves into Mitchell and Barzee's heinous crimes.

Where are Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers now? Here's what became of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee

Netflix's 'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart' delves into Mitchell and Barzee's heinous crimes.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 21, 2026 12:13 p.m. ET

Brian David Mitchell; Elizabeth Smart; Wanda Barzee. Credit:

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department/Getty; Courtesy of Netflix; Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department/Getty

- In June 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped and held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.

- After Smart was rescued in March 2003, Mitchell and Barzee were arrested.

- Barzee was released from prison in 2018, and Mitchell is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole.

In 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken from her home in Utah by self-proclaimed prophet Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. For nine months, the couple held Smart captive and subjected her to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse before she was finally rescued and reunited with her family the following year.

A new Netflix documentary, *Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart,* looks back at the brutal crimes of Mitchell and Barzee, told in vivid detail by Smart herself.

With the doc now streaming, here's a look at what became of the pair and where they are now.

Who are Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee?

Brian David Mitchell in 2005; Wanda Barzee in 2002.

Douglas C. Pizac-Pool/Getty (2)

Mitchell and Barzee first met in 1985 at a therapy session as they were both going through divorces, according to *Deseret News*. Barzee found comfort in Mitchell as she coped with losing custody of her six children. Mitchell, meanwhile, was facing allegations that he'd abused two of the children of his second wife, per CNN.

They married later that year, on November 29 (the same day Mitchell's divorce became official). Barzee would later describe the first year of their marriage as "hellish," though she told the court their relationship eventually improved.

For a while, they seemingly lived an ordinary life. Mitchell worked as a die cutter, Barzee stayed home and spent her time playing the organ, and both were deeply involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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But as Mitchell's behavior grew increasingly erratic, he and Barzee gave up their old lives and began traveling the country to visit various Mormon landmarks. At the same time, though, Mitchell became estranged from the church, and his belief that he was a prophet meant to have seven wives eventually led to him being excommunicated.

What did they do to Elizabeth Smart?

A photograph of a young Elizabeth Smart.

Courtesy of Netflix

Mitchell first met the Smart family in 2001 while panhandling in downtown Salt Lake City and using the name Immanuel (or Emmanuel), according to the *New York Times*. Lois spoke with him and handed him Ed's business card. At some point afterward, Mitchell did yard work at their home.

It was roughly a year later, on June 5, 2002, that Mitchell came back. He broke into the house late at night, went into the bedroom shared by Smart and her younger sister, and kidnapped Smart. In the documentary, she recalls Mitchell telling her, "I have a knife at your neck. Don't make a sound. Get up and come with me."

Mitchell led her through nearby woods to a remote campground in the Utah mountains, where Barzee was waiting. Smart was forced to wear a religious robe and partake in a ceremony in which she was "married" to Mitchell. That night, Mitchell sexually assaulted her for the first time.

For nine months, Mitchell repeatedly sexually assaulted Elizabeth, kept her restrained, and denied her food as a way to control her. Smart later said Barzee, who was present throughout her captivity, treated her as a slave and referred to her as a "handmaiden."

"She is a woman who had six children and yet could co-conspire to kidnap a 14-year-old girl, and not only sit next to her while she was being raped, but to encourage her husband to continue to rape me," Smart said at a 2018 press conference, per ABC News.

What happened to Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee?

A photograph of a young Mary Katherine Smart, Ed Smart, and Elizabeth Smart.

Courtesy of Netflix

The first real break in Smart's case came in October 2002, several months after Smart's abduction. Her younger sister, 9-year-old Mary Katherine, told their parents she thought Immanuel might be involved in the kidnapping.

A sketch of the suspect was made public in February 2003. Soon after, a relative of Mitchell's contacted the police, suggesting that Immanuel was actually Mitchell. Another family member shared photos of Mitchell, and they were featured on *America's Most Wanted*.

On March 12, 2003, someone who had seen the photos on *America's Most Wanted* reported seeing Mitchell in Sandy, Utah, walking with two women. When police arrived, they pulled Smart to the side to talk privately. She confirmed she was Elizabeth Smart and was soon reunited with her family.

As for Mitchell and Barzee, they were arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping, according to the *New York Times*.

Where is Wanda Barzee now?

Wanda Barzee on March 12, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department/Getty

In November 2009, Barzee struck a deal and pleaded guilty to kidnapping and transporting a minor across state lines, per the *New York Times*. Part of the deal required her to cooperate with prosecutors in building a case against Mitchell, from whom she had filed for divorce in 2004. In exchange, Barzee was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

In 2016, Barzee was moved from federal prison to a state facility to start serving a separate sentence for trying to kidnap Smart's cousin, according to CNN. (Barzee had reportedly helped Mitchell try and break into the home of Smart's cousin roughly a month after their abduction of Smart, though they were unsuccessful.)

Barzee was released from prison on Sept. 19, 2018. In May 2025, she was arrested for violating her parole by visiting public parks, which she was not allowed to do as a registered sex offender.

The Elizabeth Smart Foundation commented on the arrest, saying it "highlights how crucial it is to enforce the sex offender registry, monitor release conditions, and evaluate individuals convicted of crimes like Barzee's. It also emphasizes exactly why we must listen to and center survivors in our legal process."

The statement continued, "Elizabeth Smart has continually expressed concern over Wanda Barzee's release. Barzee's violation affirms the need for ongoing reforms to protect survivors and prevent further trauma. At the same time, it reminds us that solutions are possible when communities, leaders, and institutions come together with a shared commitment to do better."

Where is Brian David Mitchell now?

Brian David Mitchell on March 12, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department/Getty

Mitchell went to trial in November 2010. According to court documents, his attorneys claimed he was not guilty by reason of insanity, but the court determined he was mentally competent to face trial.

One month later, a jury found Mitchell guilty of kidnapping and transporting a minor across state lines for sexual activity, and he was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In October 2025, Mitchell was moved out of the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., after being attacked. He was first transferred to the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City and later to the Federal Correctional Institution in Lewisburg, Penn.

Where can I watch Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart?

*Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart* is now streaming on Netflix.

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Published: January 24, 2026 at 12:38AM on Source: OPERA MAG

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