Who is Wanda Barzee? Elizabeth Smart’s Captor Arrested Again

Who is Wanda Barzee?

Wanda Barzee, once a central figure in one of America’s most disturbing kidnapping cases, is back in the headlines—this time for violating parole conditions tied to her status as a registered sex offender.

At 79 years old, the woman who helped orchestrate the abduction and captivity of Elizabeth Smart has once again raised serious concerns about sex offender supervision and public safety.

Elizabeth Smart Kidnapper Wanda Barzee

Wanda Barzee: From Obscurity to Infamy

Wanda Ilene Barzee was virtually unknown until the early 2000s. That changed on June 5, 2002, when she and her husband, Brian David Mitchell, abducted 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah. What followed was a nine-month ordeal of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, during which Smart was forced to live in primitive campsites, wear disguises, and endure repeated assaults.

Mitchell presented himself as a religious prophet named “Immanuel.” Barzee played the role of an enabler and participant in his delusions, even holding Elizabeth down during the first rape, according to court testimony. She was not merely a bystander—she was an active collaborator in the abuse.

Barzee’s Criminal Record and Early Release

In 2009, Barzee pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor. She was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. In a highly controversial decision, she was granted release in September 2018, having received credit for time served in state custody.

Her release drew widespread criticism, especially from Elizabeth Smart, who expressed shock that a woman so deeply involved in her suffering could walk free.

“She is a woman who saw me as a slave,” Smart told reporters at the time. “She’s a danger and should not be released.”

Wanda Barzee

2025 Arrest: Violating Sex Offender Restrictions

On May 1, 2025, Salt Lake City police arrested Barzee for violating Utah state law, which bans registered sex offenders from entering protected areas, including public parks.

According to police spokesperson Brent Weisberg, detectives found evidence that Barzee had recently visited Liberty Park and Sugar House Park. Surveillance and witness statements confirmed her presence in these public spaces.

“She was seen sitting on benches, feeding ducks,” Weisberg said. “But under Utah law, this is a clear violation.”

She was booked into Salt Lake County Metro Jail but has since been released by judicial order, raising fresh concerns about the system’s ability to enforce parole conditions.

Barzee’s Psychological State: “Commanded by the Lord”

During questioning, Barzee reportedly told police she had been “commanded by the Lord” to go to the parks. Her history of mental illness has been well documented, with prior diagnoses including schizoaffective disorder. Despite her legal accountability, her mental health remains a complicating factor in both her criminal actions and her rehabilitation.

Elizabeth Smart

Timeline: Key Events in the Elizabeth Smart Case

Public Outcry and Safety Concerns

Elizabeth Smart has since become an advocate for survivors of abuse. She responded to Barzee’s arrest with renewed concern, stating that public safety must come first.

“The fact that she was found in public parks where children play is terrifying,” Smart said in a recent statement.

Legal experts and victim advocates have echoed those concerns, urging the state to re-evaluate supervision protocols for high-risk offenders. Civil rights attorneys, meanwhile, warn that overly punitive parole restrictions could complicate rehabilitation efforts.

What’s Next for Barzee?

Although Barzee was released by judicial order following her arrest, legal proceedings are ongoing. If found guilty of violating parole, she could face further incarceration or be placed under stricter supervision, including possible electronic monitoring or placement in a secured facility.

Final Thoughts: Justice and Recidivism

Wanda Barzee's story is more than a tragic footnote in the Elizabeth Smart case—it is a stark reminder of the limits of the criminal justice system when dealing with mentally unstable, high-risk offenders. The fact that someone so intimately involved in a notorious kidnapping can repeatedly enter public spaces in violation of state law raises serious questions about how well we protect our communities—and whether justice has truly been served.

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