The Disappearance of Elizabeth Smart

At around 2 a.m. on June 5, 2002, Elizabeth was woken up by a male voice whispering in her ear "I have a gun at your throat. Don't make a sound. Get up and come with me." When she opened her eyes, she saw a tall figure looming over her, and immediately felt something cold against her throat. Afraid of what the man would do to her family if she didn't comply with his instruction, she got out of bed quietly and stood up.

Mary Katherine was startled by the sound of movement in the room, but decided to pretend that she was still asleep. She opened her eyes a bit, but the room was too dark for her to make out exactly what was happening. She did see a tall shadow looming, and she became terrified of what would happen to her if the intruder found out she was awake. Now awake and on her feet, the man asked Elizabeth to walk to the closet and take out her shoes. Elizabeth quickly complied. Mary Katherine heard her sister ask the man, "Why are you taking me?" Mary Katherine said she heard the man say something to the tune of "for ransom"....