The Chilling Saga Continues: 4 Major Updates On Elizabeth Smart's Kidnappers, Brian David Mitchell And Wanda Barzee, In 2025

The case of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping remains one of the most disturbing and closely-followed crimes in modern American history. The 2002 abduction of the then-14-year-old from her Salt Lake City home by self-proclaimed prophet Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, captivated the nation for nine agonizing months. While Elizabeth Smart has since become a powerful advocate for survivors, the fate of her captors continues to generate headlines, especially with major, breaking legal developments involving Wanda Barzee in May 2025. The public's curiosity surrounding the two individuals responsible for this heinous act—their current status, their prison conditions, and their future—is constant. As of today, December 21, 2025, one of the kidnappers is facing new legal jeopardy following a probation violation, while the other remains locked away in federal prison, his life sentence a permanent fixture of the US justice system. The latest updates reveal a volatile post-release reality for Barzee and a tumultuous existence for Mitchell behind bars.

The Perpetrators: A Full Biography and Timeline of Crime

The story of the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping is inextricably linked to the troubled lives and radicalization of her two captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.

Brian David Mitchell (a.k.a. Emmanuel)

• Full Name: Brian David Mitchell
• Born: October 18, 1953
• Place of Birth: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Spouse: Wanda Barzee (married in 1990)
• Background: Mitchell was a former street preacher and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who was excommunicated. He began calling himself "Emmanuel" and claimed to have received revelations from God.
• Crime: Kidnapping, sexual assault, and unlawful transportation of a minor.
• Trial and Conviction: Found guilty in December 2010 of interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor. His defense centered on an insanity plea, which the jury rejected.
• Sentence: Life in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

Wanda Eileen Barzee

• Full Name: Wanda Eileen Barzee
• Born: September 16, 1945
• Place of Birth: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Spouse: Brian David Mitchell
• Background: Barzee was Mitchell's wife and accomplice. Her defense and legal proceedings heavily involved her history of mental illness, with some arguing she was a victim of Mitchell's manipulation and religious extremism.
• Crime: Kidnapping and related charges.
• Trial and Conviction: Pleaded guilty in 2009 to kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor in federal court, and to a separate state charge of attempted aggravated kidnapping (of Elizabeth's cousin).
• Sentence: Sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Released from prison on September 19, 2018, due to time served and mental health credit, sparking widespread controversy.

The Kidnapping and Captivity Timeline

• March 2002: Mitchell, working as a handyman at the Smart family home in the Federal Heights neighborhood of Salt Lake City, is fired.
• June 5, 2002: Mitchell, armed with a knife, enters the Smart home, kidnaps Elizabeth from her bedroom, and forces her to walk to a campsite in the foothills, where Barzee is waiting.
• June 2002 - March 2003: Elizabeth is held captive for nine months, enduring repeated sexual assault and psychological abuse while being forced to wear disguises and call herself "August." The trio moved between various Utah campsites and a temporary home in the Salt Lake area.
• March 12, 2003: Mitchell and Barzee are recognized by citizens in Sandy, Utah, and Elizabeth is rescued.

Wanda Barzee: The Shocking 2025 Probation Violation and Current Legal Status

The most significant and recent development in the saga of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnappers involves Wanda Barzee, who was released from prison in 2018. Her freedom was conditional, requiring her to abide by strict terms, including registration as a sex offender and mandatory mental health treatment. In May 2025, Barzee was formally charged with violating the terms of her probation. This violation stems from an incident where she was arrested after allegedly visiting Salt Lake City parks. As a registered sex offender, Barzee is prohibited from being in areas where children congregate, such as public parks. The details surrounding the arrest are particularly chilling and echo the religious fanaticism that fueled the original crime. Barzee reportedly told authorities that she was "commanded by the Lord" to visit the parks. This statement immediately raised concerns among law enforcement and the public that her severe mental health issues, which were a factor in her early release, remain unaddressed or unmanaged. Following the May 2025 charge, Barzee’s legal future is uncertain. A conviction for a probation violation could result in her being sent back to prison to serve out the remainder of her original sentence. Furthermore, Barzee is also serving a separate sentence of up to 15 years for her part in the attempted kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart's cousin, a plot that was foiled in July 2002. She was recently denied parole for this conviction, meaning she still faces significant time behind bars regardless of the outcome of the 2025 probation violation charge. Her recent mugshot, taken during the arrest, was widely circulated, reigniting the public's focus on her unsettling presence.

Brian David Mitchell: Life Sentence and Prison Attacks

Unlike his accomplice, Brian David Mitchell is serving a life sentence in federal prison without the possibility of parole. His conviction for interstate kidnapping ensures he will never be a free man. Mitchell’s current status is one of a high-security inmate, though his time in prison has not been without incident. In a recent update, Mitchell was transferred out of a federal prison in Indiana. This transfer followed at least two attacks he survived while housed in a "protected" unit, a section of the prison meant to isolate individuals considered to be at higher risk. The specifics of the attacks and his current location are tightly guarded by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, but the transfer indicates a continued effort to manage his security risk and isolation from the general prison population. Mitchell’s legal appeals have been exhausted. After his 2010 conviction in federal court, his defense team pursued various avenues, including challenging the court’s rejection of the insanity defense and the finding that he was competent to stand trial. However, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his conviction and sentence, solidifying his fate. His current existence is one of permanent incarceration, a stark contrast to Barzee's conditional freedom and subsequent re-arrest. The life sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball was intended to ensure he would never pose a threat to the community again.

The Legacy of Survival: Elizabeth Smart's Continuing Advocacy

While the kidnappers of Elizabeth Smart continue to make headlines for their legal and criminal troubles, the true legacy of the case lies in the strength and advocacy of Elizabeth Smart herself. Now a mother, author, and prominent child safety activist, Smart has channeled her trauma into a powerful mission to help other survivors of abduction and sexual violence. Smart has consistently spoken out about the dangers posed by her captors, particularly Wanda Barzee, who she described as an "evil and twisted woman" upon her 2018 release. Smart’s warnings centered on Barzee's underlying mental instability and the need for rigorous supervision and mandatory mental health treatment. The 2025 probation violation charges sadly validate the concerns raised by Smart and her family, underscoring the challenges of managing high-risk offenders with severe mental health issues. Her work through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation focuses on preventing crimes against children and empowering survivors. Her advocacy has been instrumental in shaping public discourse around child protection, sex offender registry laws, and the importance of believing and supporting victims. The ongoing legal drama of her captors serves as a persistent reminder of the darkness she overcame and the importance of her continuing work to ensure that other children and families do not suffer a similar fate. The case remains a textbook example of resilience, transforming a story of horror into a narrative of hope and proactive change.

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