20 years since Elizabeth Smart was found and rescued

SANDY, Utah (KUTV) — Twenty years ago on Sunday, Elizabeth Smart was found alive after being missing nine months.

The Salt Lake City teenager had been kidnapped from her bedroom in June 2002, and many thought she had been killed. That is, until she was found and rescued along State Street in Sandy on March 12, 2003.

The story of her kidnapping and rescue spread worldwide, and two decades later, it’s still reaching many people.

Elizabeth recently sat down with KUTV 2News to talk about the past two decades, and her work and advocacy efforts today to try to help others.

“I would say it is a miracle,” Elizabeth said, “because I definitely remember a time when I couldn’t imagine ever being able to say 20 years.”

Through every day of those horrific nine months where she was assaulted and manipulated by her captors, Elizabeth remembered holding on to her family.

“They were the reason why I survived was believing that they still loved me, that they’d still want me back, that they’d still be there for me,” she said. “Coming home and being able to be with them was, I mean, it was everything I prayed for.”

Now a wife and mother herself, Elizabeth speaks often about her kidnapping and rescue.

“I certainly have shared my story far and wide, and I am able to talk about it and I’m okay,” she said.

The memories of that time, Elizabeth said, are with her but don't consume her. Now 20 years later, Elizabeth works as an advocate for children and sexual assault survivors. She said parents should work with their children now to build a culture of trust.

“Heaven forbid anything ever happens to them. But if it does, they can tell you,” Elizabeth said, noting the devastating effect of secrecy that’s often forced on survivors of assault. “Making sure that your child understands that and knows that they always need to tell you – that you are their safe person, that you are their person – that needs to be a lifetime of building.”

There have been many happy moments for Elizabeth since being rescued in Sandy 20 years ago. She married Matthew Gilmour in 2012, and the couple have three children.

Elizabeth told KUTV 2News she's focused on her family and is enjoying time with her husband and children. They've picked up skiing and have enjoyed going every weekend during this snowy winter, she said.

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