Sandy City Police discovered 15-year-old Elizabeth Smart alive Wednesday after responding to calls from two separate witnesses.
The witnesses said a man walking north on State street with two individuals fit the description of Brian David Mitchell, also known as Emmanuel, a suspect in the Smart kidnapping case.
"I recognized him from America's Most Wanted," said Nancy Montoya, one of the witnesses who called police.
Anita Dickerson, another witness, said one of the individuals, now confirmed as being Elizabeth, looked like an old lady wearing a scarf and glasses.
Police confirmed the three individuals were wearing disguises.
"They were wearing wigs at the time, so they were not readily recognizable as who they were," said Chief Stephen Chapman of the Sandy Police Department.
Officials said Smart appeared happy and in good health.
"She's back, she looks good and we're ready to move on with the investigation," said Chip Burrus of the FBI.
Missy Larsen, spokeswoman for the Smart family, was present for Elizabeth's reunion with her family.
"She is sharp and bright, and giving them information far beyond what they imagined," she said.
Smart has been at the center of an on-going federal investigation since she was kidnapped from her home on June 5, 2002.
For nine months, law enforcement has searched the state and the nation for Elizabeth, questioning suspects and searching for answers.
Mitchell became a suspect in October 2002 when Elizabeth's younger sister, Mary Katherine, described him to her parents as the man who took Elizabeth, said Paul Warner, U.S. Attorney.
Mary Katherine's description was based on her memory of Mitchell from a year earlier, in October 2001, when he had worked for five hours at the Smart home.
Police are not releasing any information about where Elizabeth has been since last June.
Larsen said Elizabeth made references to camping, traveling around the country, being in a desert and visiting San Diego.
The Smart family wanted to release a composite drawing of Elizabeth's alleged kidnapper in November, but officials didn't agree, said Chris Smart, Elizabeth?s uncle.
Chief Rick Dinse of the Salt Lake City Police Department said they didn't want false descriptions to interfere with the investigation.
"First of all, we didn't have a real clear understanding of who he was for a while or his real name. All we had was Emmanuel," Dinse said. "We knew who we were looking for and we did put it out as soon as we had a good drawing."
Wednesday evening, Elizabeth was finally safe at home with her family, said Ed Smart.
Officials said they will release more information as soon as it is appropriate.
As of press time, officials had not released any information on the suspects? motives.
"We are working to ascertain exactly what charges are appropriate, who the defendants will be and in what jurisdiction they will be brought," Warner said.
Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Mar 2003
