Elizabeth Smart was missing from her family for nine months. She was abducted from her Salt Lake City bedroom on June 5, 2002, and rescued on March 12, 2003.

Timeline Breakdown

Her ordeal began just after midnight when Brian David Mitchell entered her home, taking the 14-year-old while her sister Mary Katherine witnessed it but stayed silent out of fear. The family immediately searched the house and called police by 4 a.m., sparking a massive nationwide hunt. Mitchell forced her on a four-mile hike to a nearby camp with his wife Wanda Barzee, where captivity continued across Utah and California.

  • June 2002: Initial abduction and local camps.
  • August 2002: Public outings disguised as Mitchell's "daughter," including library and market visits.
  • September 2002: Move to San Diego camps.
  • March 2003: Return north; spotted in Sandy, Utah, leading to rescue.

Rescue Details

On March 12, three people recognized the trio from wanted posters and alerted police, ending the 276-day ordeal just 18 miles from home. Elizabeth joyfully reunited with her parents Ed and Lois at the station, as her composure helped confirm her identity.

Lasting Context

This case drew global attention, highlighting family resilience and flawed early investigations. Now an advocate, Elizabeth shares her story via foundations and media like the 2026 Netflix doc Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart , focusing on prevention and empowerment.

TL;DR: Exactly nine months—June 5, 2002, to March 12, 2003—marked by survival, public sightings, and ultimate recognition.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.