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The kidnapping
When Elizabeth Smart was 14 she was kidnapped. She was in her room sleeping at night along with her 9-year-old sister when Brian David Mitchell woke her up out of her sleep at knifepoint telling her to get up from bed. Brian broke into the house by cutting a window screen near the back door. As he kidnapped Elizabeth her little sister who she shared a room with was awake but too afraid to do anything at the moment. -
Suspect Ricci
Mr. Ricci was arrested, on a parole violation. He soon became the prime suspect in Elizabeth Smart's disappearance. He had worked as a handyman for the Smart family the previous summer. During a search of his residence on July 11, 2002, $3500 worth of goods belonging to the Smarts' was discovered. Mr. Ricci admitted to the theft but denied any involvement in Elizabeth's disappearance. Mr. Ricci would never leave prison and died on August 30, 2002, of a brain aneurysm. -
Mitchell tries to kidnap Elizabeth's cousin
Police are summoned to the home of Lois' sister after a daughter is awakened by someone cutting through a bedroom window, It is later revealed that Mitchell and Barzee were behind the attempted break-in. Mitchell was seeking to make Smart's 15-year-old cousin another bride, Elizabeth knew about the attempt while held captive -
Mitchell moves around
The trio will spend the next several months in the San Diego area, moving between campsites and eating at homeless shelters. Smart later writes about Mitchell's attempt to kidnap another girl during this time. -
Elizabeth's sister remebers the kidnapper
The recollection comes as Mary Katherine thumbs through a Guinness Book of World Records. Upon coming to a page of a muscular woman, she suddenly remembers the homeless handyman who helped fix the roof the previous year, his voice identical to the one that ordered her sister out of their room on that traumatic night in June. -
Smart convinces Mitchell to take her back to Salt Lake City
Following Mitchell's announcement that the family will move to a faraway city like New York or Boston, Smart shrewdly reveals her "belief" that God wants them to return to Salt Lake City. Mitchell agrees and soon has them hitchhiking back to Utah. -
The Smart family publicizes Mitchell's police sketch
After clashing with authorities over the issue, the Smart family goes public with a sketch of "Immanuel." Police downplay the significance of releasing the sketch, but a woman soon comes forward to say that the suspect may be her brother, while Mitchell's stepson identifies him after seeing the sketch and a photo on the February 15 episode of America's Most Wanted. -
Elizabeth found
Elizabeth’s kidnappers decided to return to salt lake city, they return to salt lake city in white disguises believing no one would recognize them. Luckily a couple saw Brian David Mitchell, his wife, and Elizabeth walking on the street and recognized Elizabeth right away. They quickly called the police to report a suspicious couple a girl who seems to be Elizabeth Smart. The police came and it was indeed Elizabeth and her kidnappers and they were arrested -
Mitchell is found incompetent to stand trial
One year after Barzee is deemed unfit for trial, a state judge issues the same ruling for Mitchell, putting the case on hold as both are confined to Utah State Hospital. -
Mitchell is sentenced to life in prison
Smart, who has launched the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to combat sexual violence, confronts her abductor shortly before he receives a life sentence for his crimes. "I know that you know what you did was wrong," she says. "You took away nine months of my life that can never be returned, but in this life or next, you will have to be held responsible for those actions, and I hope you are ready for when that time comes."