(Warning: This post contains spoilers for Wednesday’s “The Masked Dancer.”)
Elizabeth Smart was revealed to be The Moth, the latest eliminated “Masked Dancer” contestant, on Wednesday night. This unmasking is one that Smart says she knows is going to come as a strange one for fans of the silly Fox competition — which so far has unveiled Ice-t and Bill Nye among its celebrity contestants — as she is best known for her nine-month kidnapping at the age of 14.
“I was pretty shocked, actually, when I was first reached out to,” the 33-year-old Smart, who is now an activist and advocate for missing persons and has had her life and abduction covered in multiple non-fiction books and films, told TheWrap. “And I kept thinking, ‘Surely not, surely they don’t actually mean me. They must be wrong.’ But I just got a call and they asked if I would consider coming...
Elizabeth Smart was revealed to be The Moth, the latest eliminated “Masked Dancer” contestant, on Wednesday night. This unmasking is one that Smart says she knows is going to come as a strange one for fans of the silly Fox competition — which so far has unveiled Ice-t and Bill Nye among its celebrity contestants — as she is best known for her nine-month kidnapping at the age of 14.
“I was pretty shocked, actually, when I was first reached out to,” the 33-year-old Smart, who is now an activist and advocate for missing persons and has had her life and abduction covered in multiple non-fiction books and films, told TheWrap. “And I kept thinking, ‘Surely not, surely they don’t actually mean me. They must be wrong.’ But I just got a call and they asked if I would consider coming...
- 1/14/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Autopsies Complete In Chris Watts' Murder Case — But There May Not Be Enough Evidence To Convict Him
The autopsies of Shan'ann, Bella, and Celeste Watts have been completed, but there may not be enough DNA evidence for a conviction. On Aug. 15, Shanann's husband, Christopher Watts, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for the deaths of his wife, 34, and their two young daughters. On Monday, the Weld County District Attorney's Office notified the court handling Watts' case that the autopsies of the three victims had been completed and shared with Watts and his defense team. For now, they are not being released to the public. Since their completion, however, there are growing concerns that the results may allow Watts to walk free. Bella and Celeste's bodies were dumped into a tank of oil and left submerged for three days. Meanwhile, the body of his pregnant wife was discovered in a shallow grave near the tanks on a site owned by Watts' former employer Anadarko Petroleum. Credit: Facebook Last month,...
- 10/3/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Casey Anthony is changing her tune. The 32-year-old — who was famously acquitted of murder in 2011 for the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee — now says she wants more children. "For a long time she was like 'no way,'" a source close to Casey told People. "But time has changed that and she's now open to it in a way she hasn't been before." Back in 2017, however, she told the Associated Press she would be "dumb" to bring another child into the world. "If I am blessed enough to have another child — if I'd be dumb enough to bring another kid into this world knowing that there'd be a potential that some little snot-nosed kid would then say something mean to my kid — I don't think I could live with that," she said at the time. Credit: Getty Images The Florida resident doesn't have much of a family, as she's...
- 10/3/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
A woman accused of stabbing three newborn babies and two adults inside a New York City day care center told a reporter she attacked them because she believed they were wolves. Yu Fen Wang, 52, spoke to the New York Daily News over the weekend apologized to the victims for what she had done. "I don't know why I did such a thing or what I was thinking about," Wang told the publication in her native Mandarin. "At the moment, I thought they were not babies, but wolves. So I slashed." She added, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I hope [the babies] didn't get hurt. I hope they are Ok." Officers were called to the scene on Sept. 21, where they found Wang in the Mei Xin Care center's basement cutting her wrist with a knife. The center provides constant care for mothers and their newborns so that the mother can stay indoors and rest.
- 10/2/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Wanda Barzee, who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart in 2002, was released from prison on Sept. 19, and she's reportedly staying at a hotel in South Salt Lake, Ut. Since then, several neighbors have come forward expressing their concerns. Vanessa Phillips, who has lived in the hotel with her two children for a couple months, said she saw Barzee outside the hotel Wednesday afternoon. "I remember her face," she told Fox 13. "I smiled — I always smile at everyone around here, they're all homeless and I say hi — not realizing it was her, though." The now 72-year-old walked free earlier this week after spending more than 15 years behind bars. She admitted to helping her husband, Brian David Mitchell, take a then-teenage Smart from her Utah home and held her captive for nine months. In July, the Utah Board of Pardons denied her an early release, but last Tuesday, they made a surprising reversal decision.
- 9/21/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
11:31 Am Pt -- A spokesperson for the South Salt Lake City Police department tells us there was a mix-up in reporting the calls to the hotel Wednesday night. We're told there was a disturbance on the property involving an individual banging on doors through the hotel, but they do not believe it had to do with Wanda. The hotel guest we spoke with who told us Barzee was shouting scripture and praising Joseph Smith...
- 9/20/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Elizabeth Smart was in good spirits while speaking at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, mere hours after one of her kidnappers was released from prison. Wanda Barzee walked free on Wednesday, Sept. 19 after more than 15 years behind bars. Still, Smart was able to crack a few jokes. "I don't understand why we teach don't take candy from people you don't know, but then we have a whole holiday celebrating taking candy from people you don't know," she said as the room erupted with laughter. "And then all of a sudden, this man's in my room with a knife at my neck telling me to get up and go with him." Elizabeth Smart talks about what it is like to overcome trauma and find strength to move on. pic.twitter.com/nhuvIgIQun— Lock Haven Univ. (@LockHavenUniv) September 19, 2018 The now 30-year-old was just 14 when she was taken from her Salt Lake City...
- 9/20/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper is a free woman again -- Wanda Barzee got out of a Utah state prison, and was spotted chowing down shortly thereafter. Barzee was carrying a salad and a banana on Wednesday as she walked into a halfway house. She was convicted for aiding Brian David Mitchell in kidnapping Elizabeth in 2002, and spent 15 years behind bars. Elizabeth says Barzee stood by and watched as Mitchell repeatedly raped her. Not long after Barzee's release,...
- 9/19/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
One of Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers, Wanda Barzee, was released from prison on Wednesday after spending more than 15 years behind bars. The now 72-year-old admitted to helping her husband, Brian David Mitchell, take the teenager from her Utah home and hold her captive for nine months. Upon her release, Smart, 30, released a statement to the public: "Without doubt the past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotion, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words, support, and concern. It has meant so much to me," she wrote on Instagram on Sept. 19. "May we all remain vigilant in watching over our families, friends, and community from anyone who would seek to hurt or take advantage. I truly believe life is meant to be happy and beautiful, and no matter what happens that will remain my goal for me and for my family." View this...
- 9/19/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
9/19 -- Wanda Barzee has been released from the Utah prison shortly after 7 Am Pt Wednesday morning after more than 15 years behind bars. Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper, Wanda Barzee -- who's set to be released from prison Wednesday after 15 years behind bars -- better stay away from her former captive ... or she'll be right back in prison. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... once Barzee's out of prison, she'll be placed on supervised release by the U.S.
- 9/18/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Elizabeth Smart has good reason to be scared of the fact one of her kidnappers is being released from prison ... because the parole board tells TMZ the convict poses a danger to society. The Utah Board of Pardons and Prisons believes ... Wanda Barzee is unfit for parole -- but the board's hands are tied because the 72-year-old will complete her sentence next week and be released Sept. 19. Just 3 months ago the Board said Barzee was unfit for early release.
- 9/17/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Elizabeth Smart -- famously kidnapped and held captive for 9 months when she was 14 -- is speaking out about the pending release of one of her captors ... and she's taking extreme measures to protect her family. Elizabeth doesn't specifically say what she plans to do to keep her family safe because she's afraid of tipping her hand before next week's release of 72-year-old Wanda Barzee. Barzee pled guilty to helping kidnap Smart in 2002, and she's expected...
- 9/13/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
This week, the Utah Board of Pardons announced that Wanda Barzee, who aided in kidnapping then-teenager Elizabeth Smart in 2002, will be freed from prison on September 19th. Smart, now a 30-year-old mother of two who works as a child safety advocate, said she was “surprised and disappointed” by the decision to free one of her captors.
“It is incomprehensible how someone who has not cooperated with her mental-health evaluations or risk assessments and someone who did not show up to her own parole hearing can be released into our community,...
“It is incomprehensible how someone who has not cooperated with her mental-health evaluations or risk assessments and someone who did not show up to her own parole hearing can be released into our community,...
- 9/12/2018
- by Amelia McDonell-Parry
- Rollingstone.com
Congratulations are in order! Elizabeth Smart announced that she was pregnant via Instagram on June 25, revealing that she's expecting her third child with husband Matthew Gilmour. The 30-year-old kidnap survivor posted a photo of her sonogram to share the incredible news. “Pretty Huge news!! We’re expecting baby #3 in November!!" Elizabeth wrote. The couple couldn't be more thrilled about welcoming another bundle of joy into the world, six years after tying the knot in a private ceremony in Hawaii. Elizabeth and Matthew are already the proud parents to 3-year-old daughter Chloe and 14-month-old son James. "Congratulations to you and your husband! Wishing you a safe and easy pregnancy...Blessings!" one of her followers sweetly wrote, while another added: "Congrats Elizabeth, you so deserve this joy!" Pretty Huge news!!!!!! We’re expecting baby #3 in November!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️...
- 6/27/2018
- by Samantha Benitz
- In Touch Weekly
The Lifetime hit I Am Elizabeth Smart comes to DVD on July 10 from Lionsgate. Discover the true story of 14 year old Elizabeth who was abducted and tortured, shocking the world to the core.
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime® film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime® film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
- 6/26/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare to find those entrusted with their children are truly monsters. Below are four real-life stories of babysitters who have snapped — for the most sinister reasons. And if their "pure evil" actions don't get under your skin, then just note that they all didn't happen that long ago... The Manhattan Horror Story (Photo Credit: Getty Images) It was the question on everyone's lips in the trial earlier this month — why would Yoselyn Ortega, a seemingly innocent nanny, murder the children she watches — Lucia, 6, and Leo, 3 — in the cold blood? On Oct. 25, 2012, Marina panicked when she and her daughter Nessie, three, arrived at Lucia's ballet class to discover she hadn't arrived. Marina rushed back to her Manhattan home to find her children in a blood-splattered bathtub and a kitchen knife dumped in the sink. Finally, in a case that shocked the world, Yoselyn admitted why...
- 6/16/2018
- by Editorial Staff
- In Touch Weekly
It’s been 40 years since The Jonestown Massacre took the lives of 909 men, women, and children in the isolated jungle of north Guyana. Now, Tracy Parks, a survivor of Jim Jones and The Peoples Temple evil reign is sharing her story. Be warned: Her experience with mass suicide is graphic in nature and may be upsetting to some readers. As a 12-year-old girl living among an oppressive cult, Tracy wasn’t fully aware of how dangerous leader Jim Jones and his teachings truly were. In fact, none of the members were. Jones was said to have been a very charismatic man, who captivated audiences with his powerful speeches about civil rights and racial equality. “This man was portraying himself to be a healer and have higher power. [He was] acting like he was God,” Tracy recalled in an interview with People. It was only after Jim began to preach mass suicide that...
- 6/14/2018
- by Melissa Copelton
- In Touch Weekly
Wanda Barzee, the woman who admitted to helping her husband Brian David Mitchell kidnap Elizabeth Smart in 2002, was a no-show to her parole hearing on June 12. The 72-year-old reportedly refused to stand before Utah's parole board even though she could have asked to be released, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Board member Angela Miklos revealed Barzee also denied the chance to meet with a psychiatrist —a mandatory requirement for parole. Now the parole board must decide whether to set a date when she’ll be set free, schedule another hearing, or keep her behind bars until her sentence ends. It could take anywhere from two weeks to a month until their choice is announced. Elizabeth's father Ed Smart, told reporters he wouldn't have objected to her release if mental health experts had signed off on it. Even though Elizabeth wasn't present for Barzee's hearing, she did break her silence about the ordeal via Instagram.
- 6/14/2018
- by Samantha Benitz
- In Touch Weekly
The Lifetime hit I Am Elizabeth Smart comes to DVD on July 10 from Lionsgate. Discover the true story of 14 year old Elizabeth who was abducted and tortured, shocking the world to the core.
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
- 5/1/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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