Natalee Holloway: A Case That Captivated The Nation

The Horrible Abuse Elizabeth Suffered

Though Elizabeth was only held captive in Mitchell’s camp for nine months, it was a long, traumatic nine months. She was forced to wear a veil to hide her identity and was almost found several times, but was too afraid to speak up. Smart told the court that when she was at the camp, she was tied to a tree with a cable. The only time they would untie her is when she was going to be raped by Mitchell. She reported that she was raped as much as four times a day.

According to Smart’s testimony, Mitchell gave her drugs and alcohol which lowered her resistance. She stated that once she was forced to drink so much alcohol that she became extremely ill. Mitchell forced her to lay face down in her vomit all night. He also showed her tons of pornography.