He also will host an FBI "working group" on Evonitz next year. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. Because I felt like, Wow, Im actually giving these families something that they never wouldve gotten without me. Just the closure of knowing that the person responsible for their daughters death is no longer here.. 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. He was horrified and disgusted with himself. 5 chilling details about Kara Robinson's kidnapper Richard Evonitz To avoid confusion with a paternal uncle called Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at the age of 16. She never misses Jeopardy and alternately wishes she lived in Beast's castle or was making the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon. At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. Sensing no way of escape, Richard shot himself dead before he could be arrested. Metts said the girl led detectives to the apartment and picked Evonitz out of a photo array. Eventually, she began befriending Robert and winning his confidence, even offering to sweep his apartment floor. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. When Kara Robinson managed to flee her captor, Richard Evonitz, she was able to assist authorities in the hunt for a serial murderer. By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. Hope Evonitz, his second wife, told her husband she wanted to know what was in the metal trunk. While searching his apartment, they found evidence connecting him to all three murders, "It is kind of scary that some guy was out there looking at me, one of the girls described in the notes told the, And while Evonitz was described by those who knew him as a well-respected, married Navy veteran who. The only time she became animated was when she talked about the footlocker. This confirmed to the police that Richard was the one who had sexually assaulted and killed Silvia, Kristin, and Kati in 1996 and 1997. When he kidnapped Kara, he was married to his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, and she unknowingly played a crucial role in helping the teenager identify Richard. She was eventually able to escape and share information with authorities. When arrested a month later, he pleaded no contest to the charge of a charge of lewd and lascivious behavior in the presence of a child and was ordered three years of probation. . In 1987 he ran into trouble with the law when he exposed himself to a 15-year-old girl and he was arrested one month later when his ship returned to port. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. Have something to tell us about this article? Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Serial killer Richard Marc EVONITZ | Characteristics: Kidnapping - Rape I was really, really angry, she told producers. Sisterhood Of Survival: Elizabeth Smart, Kara Robinson Spearhead New Oxygen Documentary, How Kara Robinson Tried to Cope with Trauma. 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. The footlocker also contained a white dress shirt, carefully folded. It was his preference, a well-developed appetite. After graduating high school and briefly working as a Manager for Jiffy Lube, he joined the Navy. She began working as an assignment editor on the local desk in 2011. According to the New York Daily News, her elder sister was inside but had not heard anything. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. Steve Dempsey of the King George County Sheriff's Office and a member of the task force that investigated the 1996 and '97 slayings of three Spotsylvania County girls: Sofia Silva and Kristin and Kati Lisk. But perhaps that pain will be bearable if these newly revealed facts help us to understand how a man capable of performing these misdeeds could live among us. Police found her body in a pond weeks later. A few days later, they were found dead in a river. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. "No signs of the monster.". #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS. (function(e,t,n,r){var i=n.currentScript,s=null;if(i)s=i;else{var o=n.getElementsByTagName(r),u=o.length-1;for(var a=u;a>=0;a--)if(o[a].getAttribute("rel")==="skimlinks-ref-banner"){s=o[a];break}}s&&setTimeout(function(){var i=e[t]||(e[t]=[]),o={"imageUrl":"/banners/img/referral/higher_commissions/728X90.gif","wid":"07","creativeId":60710,"color":"grey","size":"728X90","domainId":"1601785","publisherId":137930,"bannerUrl":"/banners/js/referral/referral_banner.min.js","cdnUrl":"https://s.skimresources.com"};if(i.length===0){var u=n.createElement(r);u.src=o.cdnUrl+o.bannerUrl,u.async=!0,s.parentNode.insertBefore(u,s)}i.push({el:s,config:o})})})(this,"__skimlinksBanners",document,"script"); CONTACT US | ADVERTISE ON ITM Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet The Free Lance Star reported in 2002. LIKE BLUEBEARD, the character in the old European fable, Marc Evonitz had a secret life hidden behind lock and key. Hope Evonitz wonders if the trophy box was her husband's way of trying to keep his demons under lock and key. In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. This helped the police track down his location. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. [4], Evonitz was married twice, first to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, then to Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 until his death. "It is kind of scary that some guy was out there looking at me, one of the girls described in the notes told the The Free Lance-Star, according to the AP report. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. He filed for bankruptcy in 1997 after a divorce left him unable to pay his expenses, and the property was foreclosed on in 1999 after a failed business endeavor, although Evonitz had been working at an air-compressor firm since moving to South Carolina a few years before his death. Robinson was able to free herself while Evonitz was sound asleep, escape, and identify her abductor to the police using information she was able to find on Evonitz's fridge. Related:Mother on Flight From Disney World Told to Glue Mask to Childs Face. Read More:Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Sensing a connection between the murders, the police theorized that the Spotsylvania County victim had also been raped and killed similarly. Authorities said Evonitz pulled up in his mother's green Pontiac Firebird and offered to sell her some magazines. Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old who was finishing up her first year of high school and like playing soccer. In other news, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes. From all accounts, officials said, Evonitz exhibited no violent behavior in childhood, and he got along well in the Navy and at work. ", But he added, "This is the best lead we've had out of the 12,000 leads to come out.". 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. Does She Have Kids. She joined The Post in 1997 as a two-year intern covering policing and courts in Loudoun County, Va. She later covered local and national education. Evonitz used metal trunk, lies to shield truth. As she looked at them, he forced her at gunpoint into a green plastic storage container in the car's trunk. Are you watching the premiere of The Girl Who Escaped: #TheKaraRobinsonStory? They will focus on possible links between Evonitz and unsolved crimes. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story. Oxygen Network created a documentary about Karas ordeal and incredible survival. We're going to take our time. A WARNING: Evonitz's sexual obsessions are key to understanding him. Kara Robinsons Story Comes Up In Law Enforcement Career, How Kara Robinson Tried to Cope with Trauma, Kara Robinson Didnt Want People to Feel Sorry for Her, 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, she told. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The secret was out, the monster exposed," Lott said. "We're going to do his whole life's tale," Lott said. In 2002, the 15-year-olds life took a devastating turn after being abducted by Richard Evonitz from her friends home in Columbia, South Carolina. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. Robinson, then 15, was watering plants at a friends house in Colombia, South Carolina, on June 24, 2002, when her companion walked inside. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Inside the Magic. Evonitz's wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. California judge faces review for handcuffing 13-year-old in court On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. They will interview friends, co-workers and relatives and track Evonitz's frequent travels from state to state in a search for links to similar unsolved crimes in those areas. "She was able to give us information down to the exactness of what was in the apartment.". Evonitz reportedly abducted the teenager while his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, was on vacation. He had urges but he could control them. Life is imitating art in East Palestine, Ohio, as the aftermath of a derailed train is drawing parallels with Netflix's White Noise. Later, when he fled from police after Kara's escape, he stole license plates and shaved his goatee to hide his identity. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 20052023 JAK Schmidt, Inc. All rights reserved. The New York Daily News said that investigators thought the deaths were related to Silvas. Two men she stopped in the parking lot took her to a sheriff's station. 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. For instance, Kara noticed Hopes hairbrush lying around, with a few red hairs on it. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Glod previously worked at the Montgomery Journal in Maryland. 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. What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! The footlocker also contained pornographic tapes and many pairs of female underwear, all sizes, from infant to adult. "But with us, there was a level of trust. the New York Daily News reported in 2015. the Associated Press reported at the time. Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a kidnapping survivor, now reaches thousands of viewers on TikTok with her advice about overcoming trauma. As the detectives investigated further, they discovered that after fleeing his Columbia apartment, he had allegedly called some relatives and cryptically stated his crimes. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. The last days of Richard Marc Evonitz, suspect in the Lisk-Silva slayings [2], In January 1987, Evonitz exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. "He would not even discuss it with her," said Capt. Ginny and Georgia star Katie Douglas stars as Kara Robinson. He was attacked by a police dog and ultimately shot himself while surrounded, rather than face the consequences of his actions. In Columbia, he worked at an air compressor company and lived blissfully with Hope, who doted on him. Evonitz has been suspected of other murders, and confessed a number of crimes to his sister shortly before committing suicide. He chose strangers to abduct and kill. PRIVACY POLICY. In Spotsylvania, Maj. Howard Smith said the Lisk-Silva Task Force -- composed of FBI agents, state police and Spotsylvania and King George County deputies -- has been doubled in size and also will try to learn "everything this guy has done in the last 10 or 15 years.". Kati Lisk, her younger sister, was just 12 years old at the time and liked playing the clarinet and painting, according to the local newspaper The Free Lance Star in 2002. The man behind the wheel was Richard (Marc) Evonitz, 38, who was prowling the neighborhood for his next victim after murdering three girls Sofia Silva, 16, and sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12 years earlier. He chose Kara on the spur of the moment. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. pic.twitter.com/zcsbeDwBv4. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. She shared with People: It was one of the most important things thats ever happened to me, she says. Related:Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered. A 15-year-old kidnap survivor's escape led police to a serial killer: Richard Evonitz. 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,, . What they won't do is excuse him. Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. In 2010, Robinson graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. The information shed stored in her head proved invaluable in confirming his identity. They argue that many people grow up in toxic surroundings and don't become serial killers. Tom Sizemore's family 'deciding end of life matters': rep Evonitz's criminal career lasted at least 15 years. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. Deep within some of the tapes were scenes that Evonitz recorded. They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. Police records in Clay County say he "confessed both orally and written to his guilt. Who is Richard Marc Evonitz? Death Cause - Wife, Age, Family - YouTube 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?'. 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. When he was convicted for exposing himself in Florida at age 23, Evonitz told the arresting officer that he had uncontrollable urges. End came with love, fear, horror - Fredericksburg.com Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. He fled, then committed suicide while surrounded by police in Florida. Kara said the driver didnt seem creepy or scary as he approached her and asked if her parents were home. They had all gone missing in Spotsylvania County, Va., more than five years before Karas abduction. He was arrested a month later when his ship returned to port. Because of that, we do not have any information about how he was on the social media platform or his lifestyle. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. In 2002, the 15-year-old's life took a devastating flip after being kidnapped by Richard Evonitz from her good pal's dwelling in Columbia, South Carolina. Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. They could not determine if it had been stolen or purchased. That was two years ago. Richard Gere's wife, Alejandra Silva, shared more updates on the actor's health after he was hospitalized during the couple's vacation in Mexico. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. Read More: Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? In 2010, Robinson graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, reported WISTV.com. How does the aftermath of derailed train in Ohio mirror Netflix's White After an 18-hour ordeal, the girl heard Evonitz snoring and was able to escape, authorities said. She had no idea that he had used it to wrap the bodies of the Lisk and Silva girls. "He was someone who just blends in. Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. Richard Evonitz Obituary (2014) - Fredericksburg, VA - The Free Lance But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. Her loyalness was reflected when she disagreed with believing her husband's acts. As the investigators searched for the suspect, they soon traced his location to Sarasota, Florida. Police have learned that Evonitz carefully plotted the who, where and when of his crimes. Cara Robinson later became a police officer. EXCLUSIVE: Kara Robinson Chamberlain was 15 when serial killer Richard Evonitz kidnapped her at gunpoint and took her back to his home while his wife was at Walt Disney World South Carolina kidnapping survivor Kara Robinson reveals tips for she asked. In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. Not just that, the teenager mentally noted her kidnappers doctor and dentists contact details posted on the refrigerator. They hadn't. r/standwithusa 5 min. Her older sister was inside but hadn't heard a thing, according to the New York Daily News. He forcefully held Kara in his apartment and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for eighteen hours, but luckily, she escaped the following morning. Bluebeard hid the bodies of his murdered wives behind one of the locked doors in his castle. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. This included one of Richards sisters, to whom he reportedly confessed the three murders. ", "Suspect stated he has a problem with masturbating in front of girls," the report said. Each week investigators from the FBI, the Virginia State Police and at least two local sheriff's offices met at the FBI office in Fredericksburg to plot strategy. Credit: Disney. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. She suffered a panic attack when Evonitz put her back in the container while he called his wife, who was at Walt Disney World with his mother. He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. Screenshot from True Crime Daily YouTube, Teen survives abduction by serial killer, now thrives in law enforcement. "Mike," she asked, "was Marc really on vacation? The footlocker was symbolic of the control that Evonitz had over his two wives, said Gerard F. Downes, a criminal profiler with the FBI. He took her to his apartment, raped her, forced her to smoke marijuana, and tied her to his bed. : r/standwithusa. At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. They were discovered deceased in a river a few days later. Evonitz fled his apartment after Robinson's escape and headed down to Florida. Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk and her sister Kati Lisk, Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old who was finishing up her first year of high school and like playing soccer. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice [4], Following his stint in the Navy, Evonitz worked steadily at businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. [6], On May 1, 1997, Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12, from their front lawn after school. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. As Police Closed In, Evonitz Admitted Crimes to His Sister It's going to be quite extensive.". However, unknown to her and their family, Richard had a sinister side and abducted, raped, and murdered three young girls between 1996 and 1997 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Keeping a dark side under lock and key - Fredericksburg.com According to the Free Lance-Star, they discovered evidence linking him to all three killings while investigating his residence. Three days after kidnapping Robinson, authorities caught up to Evonitz in Florida and a high-speed ensued, ending when Evonitz shot himself and died. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Popular: Who is Vessa Rockliff -Daly Cherry Evans Wife? She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. He was trolling for potential victims and the best places to dispose of their bodies. On June 24, 2002, Robinson, then 15, was watering the plants at a friend's home in Colombia, South Carolina, when her friend went inside. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. Marie Crowly, his wife, couldnt believe her husband was a criminal. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. ", One exception that investigators have focused on is Evonitz's 1988 conviction for exposing himself to a teenager and her toddler sister in Florida. The 16-year-old Courtland High junior wanted to go to cosmetology school and loved the color purple. The conversation took place before he killed himself after a police chase in Florida. 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. "I survived a serial killer who abducted me at 15 and - mirror "Why would you do such a thing?" Investigators said they might never have stopped Evonitz had Robinson not saved her own life, The investigation into Evonitz as the killer of the three girls in Virginia didnt end with his death. Inside a lockbox in the apartment, they found the hints to the Lisk killings. But Evonitz eventually fell asleep, and Robinson was able to slip out of her restraints and make a run for it. Bluebeard's wives were curious about the locked room and eventually looked inside. However, they found a lead in May 1997 when two sisters were found dead in Hanover County. Who is Vincent Paterno? #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 Based on Karas testimony and the evidence obtained from the apartment, the police began tracking Richard and located him in Sarasota, Florida. Watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Tale for more information on this case and Robinsons story. He used his mother's car when he abducted Kara. Her brave act led the police to identify Richard as a serial killer who had murdered three other girls during the 90s. Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain three days before his death. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. Evonitz made scouting trips and careful notes of what he saw. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Usually, Evonitz was more careful. Two Richland County deputies and one FBI agent formed a team today that will work full time to reconstruct Evonitz's life. Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. 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. 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. . Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! After Kara escaped from Evonitz in Columbia, police realized that they had never heard his name before. To everyones shock, Richard had already fled by then, seemingly after noticing Kara gone when he woke up. I wasn't going to breach that.". 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He forcefully held Kara in his She realized that a woman with red hair lived with Evonitz when she was abucted. Evonitz mentioned only scant details about that killing, but it was enough to determine that he was not referring to the slayings of three Spotsylvania County, Va., girls, Lott said. Later the authorities would prove he killed at least 3 . Dawn was breaking when Evonitz fell asleep and Robinson recognized her chance to flee. [4], On September 9, 1996, Evonitz abducted 16-year-old Sofia Silva from her front yard near Loriella Park in Spotsylvania County. If she had picked the simple lock, as police later did, she would have found evidence of her husband's crimes. Besides, the DNA samples collected from the apartment also matched the ones found on the three victims.