Tom Smart - In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Smart, Tom, 1953

In plain sight : the startling truth behind the Elizabeth Smart investigation /Tom Smart and Lee Benson.1st ed.

p. cm.

ISBN 1-55652-579-6

1. Smart, Elizabeth, 1987- Kidnapping, 2002. 2. KidnappingUtahSalt Lake CityCase studies. 3. Missing childrenUtahSalt Lake CityCase studies. 4. Criminal investigationUtahSalt Lake CityCase studies. I. Benson, Lee, 1948- II. Title. HV 6603.S63S65 2005

364.154o9792258dc22 2004024519

Cover and interior design: Laura Lindgren Design

2005 by Tom Smart and Lee Benson

All rights reserved

First edition

Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated

814 North Franklin Street

Chicago, Illinois 60610

ISBN 1-55652-579-6

Printed in the United States of America

5 4 3 2 1

To all the volunteers who unselfishly gave their time,
energy, and resources to help bring Elizabeth home

We would like to thank the thousands who helped in the search effort, especially those in the neighborhood who gave so much in the initial weeks, and the literally hundreds of business and service organizations that donated food, supplies, lodging, transportation, printing, and other services. Our family will never forget your kindness. Also the tireless efforts of the hundreds in law enforcement, including the SLCPD; FBI; Utah State Crime Lab; Utah Highway Patrol; and various sheriff, police, and governmental entities across the state of Utah, culminating with the superb work of the Sandy City Police Department. Law enforcement efforts to find Elizabeth went well beyond the call of duty. We would like to commend Rick Dinse and Cory Lyman. Although we disagreed on many points (and I suspect we still do on some), Salt Lake City and Ketchum are lucky to have two such dedicated police chiefs. Cory, in particular, has made it a point to travel around the country with David Smart, addressing police groups about lessons learned from the Elizabeth Smart investigation. A most heartfelt thank-you to Special Agent Mick Fennerty of the FBI for your indefatigable drive and determination. Thanks, too, to all those who stepped forward to identify the kidnappers and secure Elizabeths safe return, especially Tom and Lisa Holbrook for their uncommon selflessness. And finally, thanks to the local and national media who played such an important role in raising awareness throughout the search for Elizabethwith a special thanks to John Walsh.

This book could not have been written without the help, cooperation, and assistance of many people. Foremost is my wife, Heidi, who put up with my mania, not only during the search, but also during the 18 months spent writing this book. The authors feel a great debt of gratitude to the following, who contributed their personal experiences, their expertise, and their talents. To Joan Harrison and Judy Farkas who led us to the Dystel/Goderich Literary Agency. We couldnt ask for a more professional and talented group to represent us than Jane Dystel, Miriam Goderich, and Leslie Josephs. To Chicago Review Press, particularly Cynthia Sherry, who was willing to publish this story. To editor Lisa Rosenthal, who took the time to skillfully and thoughtfully hone this story. A writer couldnt wish for a more considerate editor. To Lisa Dillman, thanks for adding your expert copyediting skill to this project. To Gerilee Hundt, managing editor, and Allison Felus, production editor, for their thoroughness and fine attention to detail. To the proofreader, David Clark, thanks for the great backup work. To Catherine Bosin, head publicist, for her time and expert attention.

Many helped review the manuscript before we had a publisher and gave helpful edits and critiques. They include: Charles and Dorotha Smart, Angela Dumke, Dee Benson, Eric Benson, Kerri Benson, Ray Grass, Dewain Campbell, Ravell Call, Elaine Jarvik, Tom Fenske, Troy Duffin, Linda Sillitoe, Emma Lou Thayne, Chris Thomas, Susan Whitney, Amy Donaldson, Lucy Dillon Kinkead, Liz Abel, Larry and Jan Rubenstein, Kathi Soper, and Jim Parkinson.

Well over a hundred interviews were conducted specifically for this book, and many others for Lee Bensons Deseret News columns during the search for Elizabeth. While some individuals at the Salt Lake Tribune and in law enforcement have asked to remain anonymous, we would like to thank the following for their contributions: Ray Adame, Phil Adams, Suann Adams, Julie Adkison, Sterling Allan, Annette Anderson, Mayor Rocky Anderson, Russell Banz, N. J. Behunin, Ryan Blake, Debbie Boede, Joyce Brooks, Dick Camp, Evelyn Camp, Sierra Smart Campbell, Karen Christensen, Dora Corbett, Vickie Cottrell, Dawn Davis, Lindsey Dawson, Randy Dryer, Paul Bomber Dubois, Angela Smart Dumke, Zeke Dumke III, Pamela Een, Vincent Bub Farrell, Special Agent Augustus Mick Fennerty IV, Mike Freed, Jake Garn, Kathleen Garn, Judy Gaspers, Melinda Giffard, Mike Grass, Jamie Gutierrez, Rodger Hardy, Dusty Harrington, Harold Harris, Delaun Hendrickson, Lisa Mitchell Holbrook, Tom Holbrook, Tim Hollinger, Charlene Holmstrom, Larry Holmstrom, Sharon Johnson, Karen Jones, Peggy Kemp, Virl Kemp, Christy Kinney, Deputy Gus Kurupas, David Lamb, Don Lane, Doug Larsen, Missy Larsen, Joe Lenge, Kate Levier, sandaFer loGan, Chief Cory Lyman, Robert McDonald, Paul Mecham, Pastor Bob Mentze, Amber Merriweather, Charlie Miller (the best milkman a neighborhood could ask for), Roy Miranda, Debbie Mitchell, Irene Mitchell, Shirl Mitchell, Tim Mitchell, David Morrow, Neth Moul, Rudi Mueller, Darrell Newbold, Dalene Nielson, Debbie Norris, Dean Oliver, Rick Olsen, Bill ONeal, Patrick Orr, Doug Owens, Cynthia Smart Owens, Brent Pack, Heidi Perry, Charles Pickett, Nancy Pomeroy, Rafe Potres, David Poulson, Captain Glen Revell, Angela Ricci, Katherine Ricci, Cody Richmond, Deputy Mark Robinson, Marcia Roundy, Clay Ruis, Roger Ruis, Laura Seitz, Mike Sibbett, Amanda Smart, Charles Smart, Chris Smart, David Smart, Dorotha Smart, Heidi Smart, Ingrid Smart, Julie Smart, Nicole Smart, Linda Sosa, Terri Sparks, Craig Sudbury, Mike Sweet, Robert Swenson, Shirley Tajedini, Chris Thomas, Derrick Thompson, Deputy Manuel Vargas, Mack Voorhees, Karl West, C. Samuel West, Dru White, Lee Willis, Kathy Wilson, Ted Wilson, Rebecca Woodridge, and Steve Wright.

Mark Twain advised, Write what you know. In the pages that follow I have written what I personally know about the kidnapping and rescue of my niece, Elizabeth Smart.

Much of the information comes from my own experiences during the nine months Elizabeth was missing as I stayed true to my own monomania, a family trait of doggedsometimes blindpursuit that the kidnapping fully awakened and this book attempts to describe. I have made every effort to portray my actions, for better or worse, in a completely unvarnished light.

A good deal more of the information comes from research by my brother, David, who exhibited the same resolute behavior in putting together the pieces of this book as he did in searching for Elizabeth. David conducted key interviews and edits with an accuracy and tenacity that would make any journalist proud. In all, we consulted hundreds of sources, from family members to law enforcement to media transcripts to eyewitnesses, to paint as complete a picture as possible of what happened and why.

From the start, David, Lee, and I shared the same goal: to let the story tell itself. A few names have been changed, as noted by an *, to protect the innocent. Otherwise, the ordeal is laid out as it happened and as we lived it.