Elizabeth Smart Reacts to News of 13-Year-Old Jayme Closs Being Found Alive
As Jayme Closs and her family celebrate the teen’s safe return after a three-month disappearance, Elizabeth Smart, a survivor of similar circumstances, joined the rest of the country in celebrating alongside them.
Closs was found on Jan. 10, 2019, after escaping her captor. She flagged down a woman walking her dog in the area who then brought her to a nearby house to call the proper authorities.
She had been missing for over three months after an anonymous 911 call on Oct. 15, 2018, led the police to the teen’s home only to find her parents murdered and the teen missing. An Amber Alert was quickly sent out in hopes of finding her.
A suspect has since been put into custody and has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the murder of Jayme’s parents and one count of kidnapping.
No stranger to the horrors of being kidnapped for a long period of time, survivor Elizabeth Smart reacted to the “happy occasion” on her Instagram page.
“What has been such a heart wrenching tragedy finally has some happiness in the story,” Smart wrote.
Smart’s own story began in 2002 when she was only 14 years old; she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home and was held captive for 9 months until she was rescued.
Since then she has used her story to advocate for other victims and educate others to look for warning signs.
Despite the horrific things that happened 15 years ago, Smart has proven just how strong hope and forgiveness can truly be. She is an inspiration to so many across the world and is not shy about the large impact that her faith has had on her life.
Smart spoke from a place of understanding that is unmatched by most, “I hope we may all continue to support and embrace Jayme as she reclaims her life and comes to terms with the reality of her situation. What a brave, strong, and powerful survivor!!!!”
“No matter what may unfold in her story let’s all try to remember that this young woman has SURVIVED and whatever other details may surface the most important will still remain that she is alive,” Smart continued.
She also reminded her followers that what Closs and her family need right now is space.
She wrote, “I’m praying for Jayme and all her family that they can have a joyous reunion and as the rest of the country celebrates alongside this happy occasion we all are mindful to give the family their space and privacy on their road to finding a new sense of normal and moving forward.”
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