How was the attempt to kidnap Elizabeth Smart's cousin thwarted?

Mitchell's attempt to break into Olivia Wright's home was stopped when falling trinkets from the windowsill alerted her uncle, who discovered the intruder.

What led to Elizabeth Smart's eventual rescue?

Elizabeth Smart was rescued on March 12, 2003, after being recognized by a couple while in the company of her captors.

Home / Crime and Justice / Elizabeth Smart's Captor Targeted Cousin for 'Wife'

Elizabeth Smart's Captor Targeted Cousin for 'Wife'

Q: What was Brian Mitchell's plan for Elizabeth Smart and other girls?

Brian Mitchell planned to kidnap seven young girls, intending for them all to become his wives, with Elizabeth Smart being the first victim.

24 Jan

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Summary

Captor Brian Mitchell planned to kidnap seven girls as wives.
Mitchell's attempt to abduct Smart's cousin was thwarted by noise.
Smart's survival depended on compliance and fear of family harm.

Elizabeth Smart's Captor Targeted Cousin for 'Wife'

Elizabeth Smart has shared harrowing new details concerning her captor, Brian David Mitchell, and his prior criminal intentions. Mitchell, who had previously abducted Smart in June 2002, was already planning a subsequent crime: the kidnapping of Smart's teenage cousin, Olivia Wright, to be his 'next wife.'

Smart recounted that Mitchell envisioned a larger plan to abduct seven young girls, intending for them all to become his wives, with her being the initial victim. He specifically targeted July 24, a Utah state holiday, for Wright's abduction, believing the festivities would provide cover.

Mitchell's attempt to infiltrate Wright's home involved climbing through her bedroom window. However, the noise from trinkets falling off the windowsill alerted Wright's uncle, who discovered Mitchell and aborted the kidnapping attempt. This event occurred after Smart had been held captive for nine months.