A Father’s Shocking Discovery: The Doomsday Beliefs and International Flight of Elleshia Seymour

Kendall Seymour’s world turned upside down when he discovered his ex-wife Elleshia had allegedly abducted their three children, along with a fourth child from another relationship, and fled to Europe based on apocalyptic beliefs he never knew she harbored. The Utah father expressed complete shock upon learning about his ex-wife’s doomsday convictions, which only came to light when someone discovered her secret TikTok account just weeks before the alleged abduction. “I didn’t know about any of these ideas of hers until a couple of weeks ago,” Kendall confessed in an interview with KSL-TV, emphasizing that throughout their marriage and the five years since their divorce, Elleshia had shown no signs of such extreme beliefs. This revelation has left him grasping for understanding while desperately hoping for his children’s safe return.

The alarming situation unfolded when Elleshia allegedly took the children on a one-way Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Croatia on November 30, believing that “end times” were approaching and that Salt Lake City would be destroyed. According to Kendall, his ex-wife’s motivation appears to be a misguided attempt to protect their children by taking them to what she perceived as safety in Europe. Airport surveillance captured images of Elleshia leading the four children—Landon Hal Seymour (11), Levi Parker Seymour (8), Hazel Rae Seymour (7), and Jacob Kurt Brady (3)—through Salt Lake International Airport terminal. The Utah Department of Public Safety subsequently issued an endangered and missing advisory on December 10, and Elleshia now faces four counts of custodial interference, which constitutes a third-degree felony under Utah law.

The calculated nature of Elleshia’s actions has become increasingly apparent as details emerge about her preparation for this drastic move. Kendall revealed that his ex-wife allegedly forged passport documents for the children and left behind two disturbing notes at her home. One note contained what he described as a “delusional message from God promising her she would be in Italy by Christmas,” while the other was a methodical to-do list that included disposing of her phone and purchasing a prepaid one instead. This level of planning suggests the abduction was not impulsive but rather a carefully orchestrated escape based on her apocalyptic beliefs. Kendall last saw his children between November 24 and 25, when he dropped them off at school at the beginning of their scheduled custody time with their mother, having no idea it might be the last time he would see them for the foreseeable future.

The disappearance initially came to light through everyday disruptions in the children’s routines. Kendall received a call from a childcare worker inquiring why the children hadn’t shown up for daycare, which immediately raised concerns. The situation escalated when a welfare check was conducted on December 2 after Elleshia’s colleagues reported her absence from work and lack of response to messages. Critically, that same day, Elleshia left a voicemail for one of the children’s fathers explaining that she was already in France with the children, though initial reports indicated she had flown to Croatia. This international dimension has significantly complicated efforts to locate the children and return them to their rightful custody arrangements in Utah.

In her communication, Elleshia allegedly revealed her intention to seek permanent residence in Europe, explicitly linking her decision to abduct the children with her belief that the apocalypse was imminent. This religious or doomsday motivation represents a particularly challenging aspect of the case, as it suggests Elleshia genuinely believes she is acting in the children’s best interests despite violating custody arrangements and international law. Kendall emphasized the premeditated nature of her actions, noting: “She’s been planning this because she took off on November 30 during my long custody break for Thanksgiving.” The timing suggests she deliberately chose a period when her absence with the children might not immediately trigger alarm, potentially giving her a head start before authorities became involved.

As the search continues into its third week, Kendall faces the heartbreaking uncertainty of not knowing when he might see his children again. “It has been three weeks now. She has no family in Europe. As far as I know, no contacts out there,” he said, highlighting both his concern for his children’s welfare and the seemingly isolated nature of Elleshia’s flight. The case presents complex challenges involving international jurisdiction, parental rights, and the welfare of four young children potentially being raised under the influence of extreme apocalyptic beliefs. For now, Kendall appears to be clinging to what hope he can find in the situation, stating, “My only hope is that she is motivated to protect them”—a sentiment reflecting his belief that despite her extreme actions and beliefs, Elleshia’s fundamental love for their children might ensure they remain physically safe even as the legal process to secure their return unfolds across international boundaries.