Ashley Smith: The true story behind “Captive”

By Kaye Foley

It has been 10 years since Ashley Smith’s life was changed for the better in the most unexpected way — by being held hostage.

COMPLETE INTERVIEW

Smith recounted her harrowing tale in her 2005 book, “Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero.” Now, it’s the inspiration for the new film, “Captive,” which comes out on Sept. 18.

In early 2005, Smith, a widowed meth addict and mother who had lost custody of her daughter, was struggling to find her purpose in life. But on March 12, she was forced to fight for it when Brian Nichols, an escaped convict, held her at gunpoint in her own apartment for seven hours.

Nichols had escaped from the Fulton County Courthouse the day before, after fatally shooting three people — judge Rowland Barnes, court reporter Julie Brandau and sheriff’s deputy Hoyt Teasley — igniting Georgia’s largest manhunt ever. He claimed a fourth victim, federal agent David Wilhelm, before he wound up at Smith’s apartment complex at 2 a.m.

THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED HER LIFE

At first, he tied her up and kept her in the bathroom while he searched her apartment. Not long after, Nichols asked Smith if she had any drugs. She answered honestly, telling him that she had meth.

What could have been a fatal mistake turned into the defining moment of Smith’s life. Nichols asked her if she would take the drug with him and, for the first time, she knew that she would never take that drug again.

Throughout the night, Smith tried to gain Nichols’ trust. Smith read passages from Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life” aloud. They talked about God and forgiveness, and she encouraged Nichols to turn himself in.

At around 9:15 in the morning, Nichols let Smith leave to go see her daughter. Once in her car, she called 911. When the police arrived, Nichols surrendered peaceably.

THE MOVIE “CAPTIVE”

Though Smith’s story is one of personal redemption, some have criticized the movie for appearing too sympathetic to Brian Nichols.

Smith says, “He’s a human being. I think that’s what the film portrays. It’s not shy about what he did. … But, like I said, he’s also a human being. And that’s the account of what happened that night to me.”

Smith hopes that sharing her experience will help remind others that no matter how “broken” a person may feel, it’s “never too late to turn your life around.”