The Absence of Lois Smart in Netflix's Elizabeth Smart Documentary
The harrowing kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart from her Salt Lake City bedroom in June 2002 remains one of America's most traumatic true crime stories. Now, Netflix has released a new documentary titled Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which promises never-before-seen material about the teenager's ordeal and her family's desperate search. However, viewers have noticed one significant absence from the film: Elizabeth's mother, Lois Smart.
Nine Months of Family Turmoil and a Sister's Crucial Memory
The documentary delves deeply into the night when fourteen-year-old Elizabeth was taken from her family home, examining the subsequent nine months of anguish that followed. It wasn't until Elizabeth's younger sister, Mary Katherine Smart, recalled recognising the voice of the perpetrator as Brian David Mitchell that the crucial breakthrough occurred, leading to Elizabeth's eventual recovery. While the film features extensive contributions from Elizabeth's father, Ed Smart, and her siblings, Lois Smart's perspective is conspicuously missing from the narrative.
Lois Smart's Life Before and After the Kidnapping
Prior to the traumatic events of 2002, Lois Smart established herself as a dedicated educator, serving as a District Art Specialist for the Jordan School District in Sandy, Utah. Following her daughter's miraculous return, Lois and her then-husband Ed Smart collaborated on the 2003 book Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope, documenting their family's experience. Both were committed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during this period, though their lives would take different paths in subsequent years.
Personal Changes and Professional Evolution
In 2019, significant personal developments unfolded within the Smart family. Ed Smart publicly announced he was gay and expressed that he no longer felt comfortable within their church community. According to reports from The Salt Lake Tribune, Lois filed for divorce that same year, ending their thirty-four-year marriage. Since that time, Lois Smart has transformed into an established public speaker, focusing her advocacy on crucial issues including family resilience, educational development, and children's welfare.
A Compelling Communicator Who Chooses Privacy
Her professional biography with AAE Speakers highlights her exceptional communication skills, noting: "Her ability to articulate this journey, both verbally and in writing, has proven her to be a compelling communicator who can engage audiences on a deeply emotional level." Despite her public speaking career, Lois has made a conscious decision to remain absent from the Netflix documentary. Elizabeth Smart herself provides a brief explanation within the film, stating: "My mum, she played a huge part in helping me process what happened. But now, she's ready to leave it in the past."
This statement suggests that while Lois Smart continues to support others through her advocacy work, she prefers to maintain her privacy and keep certain aspects of her family's traumatic experience away from public scrutiny. The documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers new insights into one of America's most famous kidnapping cases while respecting the personal boundaries of those involved.
