She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. End came with love, fear, horror - Fredericksburg.com Bluebeard's wives were curious about the locked room and eventually looked inside. Youve undoubtedly heard of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Dennis Rader, Richard Ramirez, and Eileen Wuornos some of the most well-known serial killers in American history but there are also less well-publicized serial murderers, and one of them has a bizarre Disney connection. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. By matching the countless DNA samples found in Richards apartment and car with the ones found on his three victims, the investigators concluded that he was the one who had murdered them years ago and intended to do the same with Kara. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Usually, Evonitz was more careful. Pic- survivor Kara Robinson Richard Marc Evonitz born July 29, 1963 was a serial killer, kidnapper andrapistresponsible for the deaths of three girls inSpotsylvania County, Virginiaand the abduction and rape of a 15-year-old girl inRichland County, S.Carolina. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. After her escape, Kara helped lead authorities to her abductors apartment. He was a stranger to them. Inside the Magic is the worlds largest website for fans of Disney World, Disneyland, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. We don't know if this is our guy. Kara was forced into a storage bin, where she amazingly kept her wits about her, remembering the turns the vehicle, a green Pontiac Firebird, took and even memorizing the storage bins serial number. Evonitz collected the tools of rape and murder and hid them in plain sight. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. It was his preference, a well-developed appetite. By the time he died, he had progressed from indecent exposure to murder. On May 1, 1997, Richard kidnapped 15-year-old Kristin Lisk and her 12-year-old sister, Kathryn Kati Lisk, from their front lawn after school. I just ran, she said. On June 24, 2002, 15-year-old Kara Robinson was at a friend's house in Lexington County, South Carolina preparing for a day at the lake. They hope to understand him and connect him to other crimes he may have committed. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarah's . Most details that have emerged about Evonitz's life show a man who attracted little attention and was liked and respected by colleagues. He had grown arrogant, police said. Death Cause -Richard Marc Evonitz Wife, Family, Age, Birthday Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In his wifes absence, he abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson from her friends yard in Columbia at gunpoint. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Lifetime's 'The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story' is a gripping crime thriller movie that delves into the actual harrowing experiences of Kara Robinson. Authorities said Evonitz has lived or traveled in California, Virginia, Florida and Texas. Hope Evonitz rode with her husband on some of these trips. Richard Marc Edward Evonitz (July 29, 1963 - June 27, 2002) was an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist responsible for the deaths of three teenaged girls in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and the abduction and rape of a 15-year-old girl in Richland County, South Carolina. [7], On June 24, 2002, Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain from a friend's yard in Columbia, South Carolina, after holding a gun to her head and then forcing her into a plastic bin. As they surrounded him, he killed himself with his gun. Learn more about Kara Robinsons story here: True Crime Daily, Copyright 2022 Crime Museum, LLC - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. In broad daylight, Robinson was abducted by a stranger who had pulled up in his car and approached her, ostensibly to hand her some magazines . With his wife gone and their Columbia apartment empty, he could play out his fantasies of domination and control. He chose Kara on the spur of the moment. None of it contained telling DNA evidence. This February, a derailed train carrying hazardous materials has upended the lives of those living in East Palestine. You have permission to edit this article. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. They argue that many people grow up in toxic surroundings and don't become serial killers. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. As Spotsylvania detectives await results of DNA and other scientific tests to determine whether Evonitz killed Sofia Silva, 16, in September 1996, and Kati Lisk, 12, and her sister, Kristin, 15, in May 1997, investigators are just now beginning to piece together the past of this seemingly normal man -- a husband who was twice awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal during an eight-year service career -- to see if he really was a lifelong predator who kept his crimes secret. Evonitz reportedly abducted the teenager while his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, was on vacation. He was a former Sonar Technician who served in the US Navy for eight years and received two medals for good conduct. I just went into survival mode, she told. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. To avoid confusion with a paternal uncle called Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at the age of 16 and was known as Marc. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. When she led police back to Evonitz's apartment, he was gone. Kara Robinson's Story: Who Were Richard Evonitz's Other Victims Serial Killer Abducted Victim While Wife Was at Walt Disney World Antisemitic man threatened to kill Jewish pols, Michigan AG says she Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice But Evonitz eventually fell asleep, and Robinson was able to slip out of her restraints and make a run for it. A few days later, they were found dead in a river. They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. He then sexually assaulted and strangled them to death, dumping their bodies in the South Anna River. Based on Karas testimony and the evidence obtained from the apartment, the police began tracking Richard and located him in Sarasota, Florida. But that brazen kidnapper, the one operating in the clear light of day, does exist. Law enforcement officials spent three hours today searching the house where Evonitz lived in Spotsylvania in 1996 and 1997, Smith said. Who Were Richard Evonitz's Victims? Is He Dead or Alive? The pursuit of Evonitz began when the 15-year-old he kidnapped at gunpoint managed to escape from handcuffs and slip out of his apartment in Columbia on Tuesday morning. The footlocker also contained a white dress shirt, carefully folded. Richard Marc Evonitz was a rapist, serial murderer, and kidnapper who murdered three small children in Richland County, South Carolina, then kidnapped and raped a 15-year-old female. As per the news reported, Marie was a loyal wife to her husband. Downes, the FBI profiler, is a resident of Spotsylvania who joined what would become the Lisk/Silva task force in 1996, one day after Sofia Silva's disappearance. In September 1996, Sofia Silva, 16, disappeared from her. "He would not even discuss it with her," said Capt. On June 27, 2002, police finally caught up with him in Florida, where he led them on a high-speed chase, and finally cornered him,, . "Mike," she asked, "was Marc really on vacation? Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. Also Read: Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday. At the time of Karas abduction and subsequent sexual assault, Evonitzs wife of three years, Hope Marie Crawley, was visiting Walt Disney World Resort. We don't want to rush things. The bridge was four miles from U.S. 1 and 31 miles from his home near Massaponax Baptist Church in Spotsylvania. We are not able to find his account on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. He had at least two handguns, a plastic tub for his victims, a pair of handcuffs that he reinforced with wire, and a 2-by-4 with ropes and eyebolts that he used for bondage. When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. Unexpectedly, this unhealthy behavior gradually turned animalistic, and he resorted to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and even murder to satisfy his depravities. He also will host an FBI "working group" on Evonitz next year. Throughout her multi-day abduction, Kara gained her captors trust by learning details about him, including: finding out he was in the Navy, memorizing the addresses of his dentist and doctor from magnets on his fridge, and realizing a woman lived in the apartment with him. His mother described the moment she realized he had betrayed her: With her son on the run, she returned from Disney World to her home in Columbia. Police initially treated it as a missing persons case instead of an abduction -- until Silva was found about five weeks later, dead in a swamp. She began working as an assignment editor on the local desk in 2011. "We're going to do his whole life's tale," Lott said. He was horrified and disgusted with himself. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. When he and his wife-to-be Hope Crowley moved from Virginia to Columbia in 1999, they . Read More: Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? As the detectives investigated further, they discovered that after fleeing his Columbia apartment, he had allegedly called some relatives and cryptically stated his crimes. According to the New York Daily News, Evonitz pulled up and began conversing with her under the guise of selling magazines, before brandishing a gun at her and forcing her into a Rubbermaid container in the back of his car. Kara said: At the same time he put a gun up to the right side of my neck and to come with him or he would shoot me., Related:Woman Seen Handcuffed at Disneys Hollywood Studios. After two days, Kara launched her daring escape while Evonitz slept: Kara said: There was a solid 30 seconds of me looking at the door and thinking, how am I going to do this?'. Because it brought home the importance of what I did. This four-part series is based on interviews with investigators and members of Evonitzs family, and a review of public documents from Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. r/standwithusa 5 min. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. They have not said whether they found similar evidence about the Silva killing, but they have previously said that scientific evidence links the two cases. Following my escape, I was able to go to Virginia and meet with the families of the three girls, Robinson said. Still, Evonitz left no witnesses or clues. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. Per the article, Kara said, From that moment I kind of realized that he would probably not let me go and it would be up to me to get out and escape. After gagging her, he repeatedly raped Kara over the next eighteen hours and forced her to smoke marijuana. When 15-year-old Kara Robinson arrived at the Richland County Sheriffs Department on June 25, 2022, little did the police expect that she would lead them to a serial killer. When she's not planning her next Disney trip, Rebekah can be found spending time with her family, shopping for Lilly Pulitzer, buried in a good book, or doing yoga. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Lifetimes The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story is a gripping crime thriller movie that delves into the actual harrowing experiences of Kara Robinson. Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain three days before his death. Authorities said Evonitz pulled up in his mother's green Pontiac Firebird and offered to sell her some magazines. "Just like an animal, he stalks his victims, waits for the right time and takes them," Downes said. At the police station, she spotted Evonitz's supervisor, Mike Augustine of Armstrong Compressors. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? The Making of Serial Killer Marc Evonitz - Medium Have something to tell us about this article? Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. It's never been determined if Evonitz was responsible for more than three murders. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." It seemed that Evonitz delighted in outsmarting police, in making his crimes as daring as possible. In one swift movement, she moved the items [that were blocking the doorway], shoved the vacuum cleaner into the closet and slammed it shut, opened the front door and ran out. Members of the task force have tracked down some of the tag numbers he mentioned in notes and will be interviewing their owners to see if anyone remembers seeing him. Lifetime brought The Kara Robinson Story to screens this February, a chilling true crime story of how a teenager escaped the clutches of serial killer Richard Evonitz. Later, authorities identified him as the LiskSilva killer. Nevertheless, she embraced a life of privacy and continues to do so even today. However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. When investigators searched Richard Evonitzs South Carolina apartment, they discovered his connections to the brutal murders of three innocent young girls in the 90s. From 1988 to 1996, Evonitz married Bonnie Lou Gower, and from 1999 till his death, he was married to Hope Marie Crowley. An article about Karas harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: when a car drove past and came back moments later, pulling into the driveway. The Associated Press stated at the time that investigators quickly discovered proof that Evonitz was responsible for the killings of three girls in Virginia: Sofia Silva, 16, Kristin Lisk, and her sister Kati Lisk. Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Season 41: Sara Wilson Age, Family, Net worth -Birthday, Height, Partner, Wikipedia, Bio. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. Sensing that there was no escape, he began calling relatives with cryptic confessions. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. Thankfully, Kara exhibited immense bravery despite her trauma and managed to escape Richards house the following day. He was tracked to Florida on June 27 and was involved in a high speed chase by police to Sarasota, where he was surrounded and subsequently shot himself in the standoff. Hope Evonitz wonders if the trophy box was her husband's way of trying to keep his demons under lock and key. Richard Evonitz - Crime Museum They learned later that Bonnie, his first wife, had the blanket in California. Hope Evonitz resided in Caroline County at the time, and she was aware of the slayings. Gere, 73, is "feeling much better," Silva wrote. The 12-year-old Spotsylvania Middle School student played clarinet and hoped to be a cartoonist. [5], Evonitz is suspected of a 1994 abduction and rape and a 1995 rape in Spotsylvania, Virginia. According to the Free Lance-Star, they discovered evidence linking him to all three killings while investigating his residence. Investigators were able to track the serial killer to Sarasota, Florida, where a high-speed chase ensued. They hadn't. Richard served as a Sonar Technician for eight years before receiving two Good Conduct Medals and an honorable discharge. After playing a key role in solving Evonitzs other murders, Kara was able to meet the families of both Sofia and the Lisk sisters. Through evidence discovered after Robinsons brave escape, Evonitz was tied to the Silva and Lisk murders. Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. She and other family members met with police the next morning at the Richland County police headquarters. Actually, he, too, had taken a week's vacation, a secret break. In other news, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes. A high-speed car chase followed to catch Richard, resulting in him running over spike strips on the highway and being attacked by a police dog. Along the way, he called his sister and confessed to killing someone and committing "more crimes than he can remember," according to the Washington Post. [4], Evonitz was married twice, first to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, then to Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 until his death. "Obviously, we're all anxious and want to solve this, but we're also very cautious," Smith said. " Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the majority of children are abducted by someone they know. While Richard seemingly remained inactive for the next few years, he struck again in June 2002. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. Richard Evonitz died on June 27, 2002, at the age of 38. 5 chilling details about Kara Robinson's kidnapper Richard Evonitz That was two years ago. He forcefully held Kara in his apartment and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for eighteen hours, but luckily, she escaped the following morning. The crime took place in September 1996. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. For some reason, she did not walk at her regular time. "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story. Florida Man Arrested After Threatening to Blow Up Homes of Disney Executives, Mother on Flight From Disney World Told to Glue Mask to Childs Face. I want to know why he didnt get me.. Later the authorities would prove he killed at least 3 . Both bodies were found five days later in a river. The next morning, he slept beside Kara on his bed when she somehow managed to free herself and escape the apartment. The conversation took place before he killed himself after a police chase in Florida. How does the aftermath of derailed train in Ohio mirror Netflix's White Friend: Suspected killer not a monster - starnewsonline.com Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. In Columbia, he worked at an air compressor company and lived blissfully with Hope, who doted on him. But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. Their bodies were found five days later. Richard Marc Evonitz was a devoted spouse who delighted in working with animals and amusing people. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. Indeed for the families involved, and for many others in the community, any review of these cases would be painful. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. His violence didn't burst from within him unexpectedly. An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: For more on this case and Robinson's story, watch"Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story.". Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old soccer player who was finishing her freshman year of high school. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Richard Marc Evonitz (July 29, 1963 - June 27, 2002) was a serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist responsible for the deaths of three girls in Spotsylvania County, Virginia and the abduction and rape of a 15 year old girl in Richland County, South Carolina. Though Hope does not publicly share many details about herself and has a minimal presence on social media, official records state that she is now in her 40s and resides in West Columbia, South Carolina. Evonitz took the girl to his apartment, where they were alone because his wife and mother were vacationing at Walt Disney World, and carried the container inside.