Elizabeth Smart's publicist Chris Thomas reveals shocking details about her kidnapping in new book 'Unexpected'
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Elizabeth Smart's publicist Chris Thomas has written a new book revealing details about the kidnapping of Elizabeth and the media circus that unfolded with it. In his soon-to-be-released book titled 'Unexpected', Thomas talks about the struggles that the Smart family went through during the nine months Elizabeth was missing and the efforts that went into searching for the teen.
Elizabeth Ann Smart was kidnapped at the age of 14 on June 5, 2002, at knifepoint by Brian David Mitchell from her home in the Federal Heights neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. She was held captive for nine months by Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee on the outskirts of Salt Lake City and later, in San Diego County, California. Mitchell, who claimed to be a religious preacher, repeatedly raped her and physically abused her. Luckily, she survived and was discovered in Sandy, Utah, approximately 18 miles from her home.
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Thomas, who Elizabeth describes as 'like a big brother', was the Smarts' publicist after she was kidnapped. In his new book, he has revealed what actually happened behind the scenes while the search for the missing teen continued as well as the media's attention being all over the case.
Thomas, who managed the family's media communications but had never met Elizabeth before she went missing, shares in his book the first time he saw the teen after she had been rescued at the police station. "She has puffy, sunburned cheeks, tightly braided blonde pigtails, and is wearing a grey blouse that looks like it was sewn from bedsheets," he wrote. "A frayed rope serves as a belt, holding up her dirty, heavily worn, oversized jeans", he added. He also describes how Elizabeth's father, Ed, was extremely angry over detectives interrogating her after the teen was rescued.
Thomas also shared the moment Elizabeth reunited with her siblings after months of being away from them. "All of her siblings except four-year-old William immediately embrace her," Thomas said. William was too young to recognize her in the devastating condition she was in.
Media and accusations
The case grabbed the nation's and the media's interest so various stories and conspiracies were circulating about it. In his book, Thomas also shares insights into how the family reacted when the media published a story accusing a family member of being involved in Elizabeth's kidnapping, which echoed the JonBenet Ramsey case.
When this news broke out, Thomas recalled the JonBenet Ramsey case and how the family went into hiding and sent their attorney to respond to the media. He recalls thinking the Smarts needed to "do the opposite". So, the family, although devastated by the accusation, decided to bravely face the media.
Tiresome schedules
Thomas also talks about the tiresome schedules he and his team followed during that time. The team worked at least 20 hours per day as they try to maintain momentum to keep media attention on the teen's search. He said his day would start at 3.30 am when they would liaise with network and cable shows before preparing Elizabeth's parents Ed and Lois as well as other family members from 4.30 am for their interviews, which were scheduled to start from 5 am until 10 am. Then they would regroup for an 11 am press conference with authorities, followed by an hour of one-on-one interviews with members of the print media.