Does anybody find the Elizabeth Smart story kind of strange? I am not sure what I have determined here – with my Super Sleuth skills! (we could use a magnifying glass Sherlock face here!). It just seems strange…maybe I don’t know enough about the story, but from what I understand, they hired this kind of peddler guy off the street who is known in the area as being sort of the town weirdo guy and nobody suspected him of being the possible culprit? Isn’t it weird? AND they were like in her backyard essentially in a teepee while the search was going on!!! Do you think she was brainwashed? And if so, how does brainwashing work really? Do you think she was held against her will there? I completely don’t expect to get detailed information as I totally agree this family’s privacy should be respected at all costs. But from a spectator’s standpoint…it’s really fishy!
070502
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Read up on the Stockholm syndrome and things will make more sense.. sorry the Forensic Pyshcology part of me is coming out
Claud2001
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
There is so much unknown in this story right now, and to assume certain things is unfair to the family. I think it's the truth that Mrs. Smart hired this man, but at the time, he was clean-shaven and was clean-cut, respectable 'looking' person. Apparently, there is a specific location in the city of Salt Lake where homeless and less fortunate people congregate, hoping to find work or be hired by other townspeople for profit. Mrs. Smart hired Mitchell to help her husband repair their roof. She did not hire him as a caregiver/babysitter, so to imply that she was bringing harm to her children is ludicrious! How many people in NY pick up a Pennysaver to find a handyman?? Something like this could happen to anyone of us.
It's also true that life is much different in Utah than it is here in NY. People are probably more trusting - consider the fact that Mormon people believe having more than one spouse is just fine. I am not condemning their beliefs, just saying that they are different than you and I. You need to consider all of their situation and not make judgements that you form in a vacuum. JMO.
michele31
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Just to clarify- there is only a small sects of mormons who believe in marrying multiple women. That WAS a belief long ago, but now the 'official' church does not allow that practice.
Sage10.03
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Did any of you watch the 48 hours special on this story last night?
Apparently, she not only hired him to do work, but gave him a key to the house. He only worked at the house for 5 hours and then disappeared with the key..... The Smarts said they often hired 'drifters' to do landscaping work on their home and never had a problem up until now.... (keep in mind that they had also hired that Ricci guy to do work as well who had, until he died, also been a suspect)
Also, the screen had been cut in the window but detectives pointed out that they believe that was a cover....there were no traces of threads from clothing on the screen shards, no apparent entry through the hole, no foot marks on the house to boost ones-self up into the window..... They think they got in with a key... Mr. Smart said that night that he had checked all the doors and that next morning one of that back doors was unlocked but no forced entry had been noted.
All I know is if I gave my house key to a homless drifter and he disappeared with it after 5 hours and never came back - YOU KNOW that I would have the locks changed ASAP. I am not blaming the family at all.....at their worst - they were too trusting, the facts do seem odd....a little.
Sonicstef
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Wow! I didnt know all that.
So another odd fact that doesnt sit right: If the day after the kidnapping, they thought it might have been someone with a key - wouldnt that immediately have indicated it would have to be someone who had the key? Just how many drifters did this family give out their keys to that they didnt think of this guy until months later when the sister mentioned him?
karen32
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
this story is getting stranger and stranger. i do try to understand their mormon beliefs to help others, but look at the world we live in???? giving a homeless man a key to your home is going a little extreme! there are other ways to help!
michele31
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I know that the family DID think this man was a suspect but the Police said he wasn't. That other man, Ricci, died in prison. The family is the one who kept saying this is the man to look for.
Now, they are reporting that when the police got to the BK and ask her who she was she said she was the kidnappers daughter!
Lifetime must already have the movie rights!
jenny11.9
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Ooooh!!!!! We do have some detectives in the house!!!! Thought so!
Scoop
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I think the family has 4 or 5 kids which could explain why the girls were sharing a room....just a thought.
I am so glad that they found her but the whole this is so weird.
Kel
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Okay, I'll agree this story makes you wonder .. but I think there is too much speculation going on.
And as for the window being open on a house like this that apparently should have central air conditioning .. I have to say .. we have CAC, but there are times when I love to open the windows just to get the fresh air.
LisaW
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I find the whole thing strange. Did you see the pictures of her at a party in California? I find it odd that a 15 year old girl doesn't know to call for help in this situation. She was wandering around with them in public, in crowds, this whole time and she never even tried to escape or call out? Somethings just not sitting right.
Edited to include this statement taken from AOL news... Police say Elizabeth initially told them Mitchell and his wife were her parents when they were stopped Wednesday. She was wearing a wig and a veil at the time. ''We took her aside ... she kind of just blurted out, 'I know who you think I am. You guys think I'm that Elizabeth Smart girl who ran away,''' said Officer Bill O'Neal.
Who said she ran away? Hmmmmmmmmmm...
Karen H
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I have to agree with Kel and Claudine. I don't understand why so many are quick to blame her family, especially based on comments from the news that are not necessarily facts, but speculation.
The kidnapper already threatened the little sister once, and he could have told Elizabeth that he would take her sister if she escaped, or kill her family. Both the girls could have been terrified into their actions - I've heard some TV pundits say that the little sister could have unconsciously blocked or suppressed the memory of the drifters identity - only to have it surface later - kind of like incest victims who suppress memories of their abuse as children, only to have it surface as adults.
Let's just rejoice that she was found!
Sonicstef
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Agreed - this is all speculation...but I think everone would agree the story we are hearing just does not fit together right. I dont think the parents intentionally meant any harm but they clearly displayed extremely bad judgement.
What realy upsets me is that everyone is calling this a 'miracle'! It might be a miracle for the parents to not have to wonder where she is - but if this girl was being abused (and god knows she must have been) for the past 9 months then its not a miracle - its a disgrace, tradegy, and about 10 other names but miracle in not one of them. Think of the life poor Elizabeth is going to have. What is the likelyhood of her EVER being able to lead a normal life, no less actually enjoy her life after enduring what I can only assume was nightmarish?
michele31
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Okay, the latest report is that these 2 freaks 'married' this poor little girl in some sick 'religious' ritual. That is what CNN just reported.
Diane
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I find it bizarre too. My students ane I were discussing this. She was only 20 miles from her home, and they didnt mention anything her her trying to escape, or any bruises, or that we are know. In fact one student said to me she looks like she gained weight from her picture, so she was not starving. hmmmmm...............
There is not enough details.
stacedz
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
No doubt that this whole story is bizarre and that is why it is EVERYWHERE on the news, everyone is intrigued and wants to know what happened. If they ever release the info (which I heard they probably won't because Elizabeth will have to testify in court), everyone will be speculating. I had heard she was found initally in a fast food place and then in a car in another instance. People are in a frenzy over this stuff! How sad.
dkga1026
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
Stef - I think by 'miracle' we are all referring to the fact that she is alive. So many children disappear everyday and to be found alive after 9 months is truly a miracle. You are right that what she must have gone through (and will go through) is a tragedy, but there is still a chance here for healing and possibly even a happy ending in later years. So many other children go through the same, and worse, and never even make it through alive.
WithThisRing
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I was listening to 1010 wins last night as FI and I were driving out to a bridal expo at our hall and they had an expert on kidnappying on. He said it is possible Elizabeth was threatened in some way (i.e., the kidnappers would kill her family, take her sister, etc..)
So the expert says that she may have been threatened in some way and that is why she wasnt able to call for help. She may have been on lock down and threatened.
I am just glad she is alive and with her family. Its true a lot of children go missing and are never found. John Walsh of America's most wanted said it best on the first episode of AMW 'dont let what happened to my child happen to yours' His son adam was kidnapped and killed.
The smarts got there daughter back and we should be happy they have her.
Yes the story is crazy, bizarr, etc...but she's alive and with her family and that is what is important
michele31
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I have a feeling that she was in shock for a lot of the time. I mean, being taken at gun point out of your home, having your sister threatened, and then being forced into a ritual marriage and God only knows what else. I can only hope that Bubba forces this sicko into a ritual marriage in Prison.
Claud2001
Posted:
Member since
Re: Any detectives out there?
I just wanted to respond to this part of what Stef posted...
What realy upsets me is that everyone is calling this a 'miracle'! It might be a miracle for the parents to not have to wonder where she is - but if this girl was being abused (and god knows she must have been) for the past 9 months then its not a miracle - its a disgrace, tradegy, and about 10 other names but miracle in not one of them. Think of the life poor Elizabeth is going to have. What is the likelyhood of her EVER being able to lead a normal life, no less actually enjoy her life after enduring what I can only assume was nightmarish?
I think that people are calling this story a miracle purely b/c of statistics when it comes to missing and explioted children. It is extremely rare that a child EVER comes home alive, and therefore this is a miracle. But, calling it a miracle does not discount all of the valid concerns that you point out regarding Elizabeth's mental and emotional health. I think the upshot is - she's ALIVE and she has a chance at living normally again, albeit with the help of some intense therapy. It is sometimes surprising how resilient and forgiving children can be. You never know what this child is capable of - after all, she had the strength to endure an already horrible trauma, and we still see her smiling. That is a miracle too. We will all just have to wait and see, and pray that this poor family can put their heartbroken pieces back together again.
