The Prophet Emmanuel: 7 Shocking Facts About Brian David Mitchell's Life And Where He Is Now

The case of Brian David Mitchell remains one of the most chilling examples of religious delusion coupled with heinous crime in modern American history, an event that captivated the nation and highlighted the vulnerability of even the most secure communities. As of this writing in December 2025, Mitchell is serving two consecutive life sentences in federal prison for his role in the 2002 abduction and rape of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart. The latest updates surrounding his incarceration focus on the challenges of housing a high-profile, mentally unstable inmate, including a notable transfer from a maximum-security facility following multiple assaults by other prisoners.

This article provides a deep dive into the life, crimes, and current status of Brian David Mitchell, offering a comprehensive look at the self-proclaimed "Prophet Emmanuel" and the lasting legal and psychological impact of his actions. Understanding the details of his background and the complexities of his trial is essential to grasping the full scope of this disturbing case.

Brian David Mitchell: A Biographical Profile

Brian David Mitchell's life before the notorious 2002 kidnapping was marked by a steady descent into religious extremism and homelessness. His profile reveals a man who was once a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) before his radicalization led him down a dark path that culminated in one of the most publicized crimes in Utah history.

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• Full Name: Brian David Mitchell
• Self-Proclaimed Name: "The Prophet Emmanuel" or "Emmanuel David Isaiah"
• Date of Birth: October 18, 1953
• Place of Birth: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Age (as of December 2025): 72 years old
• Spouse/Accomplice: Wanda Elaine Barzee (married in 1986)
• Occupation: Former roofer, street preacher, and drifter
• Criminal Charges: Kidnapping, Unlawful Sexual Assault (Rape), and Burglary. He was convicted in federal court of Interstate Kidnapping and Unlawful Transportation of a Minor.
• Sentence: Two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
• Current Status: Incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) system. Last publicly known facility was USP Terre Haute, from which he was transferred after being assaulted.
• BOP Register Number: 15815-081

The Radicalization and The Crime: From Drifter to "Prophet"

The transition of Brian David Mitchell from a functional member of society to a religious extremist known as "The Prophet Emmanuel" is a key element in understanding the Elizabeth Smart abduction. This period of radicalization laid the groundwork for the crimes he would later commit, fueled by a distorted sense of divine mission.

The Descent into Delusion and Homelessness

Mitchell’s severe religious fanaticism began to manifest in the 1980s, leading to his excommunication from the LDS Church in 1988. He began to preach his own version of Mormon fundamentalism, claiming to receive revelations directly from God. He adopted the name "The Prophet Emmanuel" and, with his wife Wanda Barzee, became a fixture in the Salt Lake City homeless community, often preaching his apocalyptic messages on the streets.

A disturbing event occurred in 2001 when Mitchell was briefly hired by the Smart family to do roofing work on their home. This brief employment gave him access to the family's property and allowed him to observe their routines, setting the stage for the later crime.

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The Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping (June 2002)

On June 5, 2002, Mitchell carried out the crime that would define his life. He entered the Smart home in the Federal Heights neighborhood of Salt Lake City, woke Elizabeth Smart at knifepoint, and forcibly abducted her from her bedroom. His accomplice, Wanda Barzee, was waiting outside. Mitchell claimed the kidnapping was a "divine revelation" to take Elizabeth as a second wife and convert her to his extremist beliefs.

For the next nine months, Elizabeth Smart was held captive, enduring unimaginable abuse and being forced to wear disguises to evade detection. The captors and their victim lived a nomadic existence, primarily camping in the wilderness near the Smart home and later traveling to California. The search for Elizabeth Smart became a massive national effort, with her parents tirelessly campaigning for her return.

The Capture, Trial, and Life Sentence

The manhunt ended on March 12, 2003, when Mitchell and Barzee were spotted by citizens in Sandy, Utah, who recognized them from news reports. Elizabeth Smart was recovered, and both Mitchell and Barzee were arrested. The subsequent legal proceedings were prolonged and complex, largely due to the question of Mitchell's mental fitness to stand trial.

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The Competency Hearing and the Verdict

The central legal battle revolved around whether Mitchell was competent to assist in his own defense. His behavior—including frequently singing hymns, shouting religious pronouncements, and refusing to cooperate with his attorneys—led to years of legal delays.

• State vs. Federal Jurisdiction: The case was initially filed in state court, but after years of competency issues, federal prosecutors stepped in, charging Mitchell with interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor.
• The Ruling: A federal judge ultimately ruled that Mitchell was competent to stand trial, concluding that his religious shouting was a deliberate attempt to manipulate the court and not a true sign of psychosis.
• Conviction: In December 2010, a federal jury found Brian David Mitchell guilty of both charges.
• Sentencing: In May 2011, U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball sentenced Mitchell to two consecutive life sentences in federal prison, ensuring he would never be released. Elizabeth Smart delivered a powerful victim impact statement at the sentencing.

Brian David Mitchell's Current Status in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (2025)

Brian David Mitchell is currently serving his life sentence within the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) system. The status of his incarceration has been a subject of recent news, providing the most current update on his whereabouts and well-being.

Transfer Due to Assaults

For a significant period, Mitchell was housed at the United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute (USP Terre Haute), a high-security federal prison in Indiana. However, reports emerged that Mitchell was transferred from this facility following multiple, previously unreported assaults by other inmates.

Inmates convicted of crimes against minors, particularly those involving sexual assault, are often targets within the prison system, and Mitchell's high-profile status likely exacerbated the risk. The decision to transfer him was a measure taken to protect him from further violence within the general prison population. While the BOP does not typically release the specific, current location of high-profile inmates for security reasons, the fact of his transfer due to these assaults is the freshest and most critical update regarding his confinement. He remains in the federal system, serving his sentence in a secure facility.

Wanda Barzee's Release

In contrast to Mitchell's life sentence, his accomplice, Wanda Barzee, was released from federal prison in September 2019. Barzee had pleaded guilty to charges related to the kidnapping and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with credit for time served. Her release was highly controversial and met with strong public opposition, underscoring the different legal and mental health paths the two co-conspirators took.