At a Glance
- 9-year-old sister Mary Katherine Smart was the sole witness to Elizabeth’s 2002 kidnapping.
- Her testimony led police to identify and arrest abductor Brian David Mitchell in March 2003.
- Nearly two decades later, Mary Katherine is a special-education teacher and keeps a low public profile.
- Why it matters: The story shows how a child’s memory can save a life and how survivors rebuild.
Elizabeth Smart’s harrowing kidnapping in June 2002 left a 14-year-old girl missing for nine months. The case was solved, in large part, by her younger sister, Mary Katherine, who was only nine at the time. Now, almost 23 years later, Mary Katherine has built a quiet life as a special-education teacher while keeping the public eye at bay.
Who Is Mary Katherine Smart?
Mary Katherine Smart is the only sister among Elizabeth’s five siblings. She was nine when she witnessed her older sister being taken from her bedroom at knifepoint. In the Netflix docuseries Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, Mary Katherine recalls the night’s terror and the courage it took to speak to her parents.
> “I was paralyzed. I just couldn’t believe what was happening,” she said.
She described the moment as a blur, saying she had “just known my sister was gone and I was very frightened.” Police officers advised her not to talk to anyone about the case to avoid influencing her memory.
The Night of the Kidnapping
Mary Katherine and Elizabeth had prayed together before bed. The next thing she remembered was a man in her bedroom, threatening to kill Elizabeth if she screamed.
> “The next thing I remember, there was a man in my bedroom, telling Elizabeth, if she screamed, he would kill her,” she recalled.
She later told her parents that Elizabeth had been taken, a statement that would become a key turning point in the investigation.
How She Helped Rescue Elizabeth
The search for Elizabeth began in June 2002. Mary Katherine’s testimony was crucial. She identified a voice she heard that night as familiar, recognizing it as that of Emmanuel, a handyman who had worked on the family’s roof.
Police captain Cory Lyman explained how the voice clue helped create a sketch of the abductor, who was later identified as Brian David Mitchell. The sketch was released to the public in February 2003, prompting Mitchell’s sister to provide additional photographs.
> “Her recollections helped police create a sketch of the abductor,” said Lyman.
The sketch appeared on America’s Most Wanted in February and March 2003. Two couples who saw the program spotted Mitchell walking in Sandy, Utah, and called 911 on March 12, 2003. That same day, Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping.
Mitchell was convicted of kidnapping and rape and is serving a life sentence. Barzee received a 15-year sentence and was released early in 2018; she was arrested again in May 2025 for violating her sex-offender status.
Life After the Trauma
After Elizabeth’s rescue, the sisters returned home to a joyous yet difficult transition. Mary Katherine has spoken about the ongoing impact of the event, saying “it’s something I still deal with.”
Elizabeth has become an author and advocate, while Mary Katherine has pursued higher education, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She now works as a special-education teacher.
> “I don’t want to say she puts me in my place all the time, but she educates me all the time,” Elizabeth told a media outlet.
The sisters still spend time together. In June 2021, Elizabeth shared a photo of the two on a boat, captioned “Enjoying some sister/sister family time on the lake!”
Key Takeaways
| Event | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Kidnapping | June 2002 | Elizabeth taken from bedroom |
| Mary Katherine’s testimony | July 2002 | Key clue to abductor’s identity |
| Abductor arrested | March 12, 2003 | Mitchell and Barzee taken into custody |
| Elizabeth rescued | March 2003 | 9-month captivity ended |
| Mary Katherine’s career | 2020s | Special-education teacher |
Mary Katherine’s story is a reminder that even a child’s memory can change the course of a life. Her quiet resilience and dedication to helping others demonstrate the enduring strength of survivors.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.
