Consider serial murderer Richard Evonitz, the subject of the upcoming Oxygen special Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, who kidnapped Kara Robinson. As she looked at them, he forced her at gunpoint into a green plastic storage container in the car's trunk. The information shed stored in her head proved invaluable in confirming his identity. I knew if I woke him up and wasnt successful [in getting out] that would probably be when I would get hurt, and when his sadistic nature would kick in [she feared being shot in the back]., Related:Florida Man Arrested After Threatening to Blow Up Homes of Disney Executives. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. Robinson explained to Crime Watch Daily that Evonitzs wife was a key to identifying him. . South Carolina kidnapping survivor Kara Robinson reveals tips for Staff writers Patricia Davis and Josh White and researcher Bobbye Pratt in Washington contributed to this report. Stranger abductions are extremely rare, yet the image of a mysterious stranger taking children in broad daylight has left an indelible impression on the public mind. November 18, 2021 . Gere, 73, is "feeling much better," Silva wrote. For nearly six years the Lisk/Silva task force chased 12,000 leads, obtained dozens of search warrants and considered countless "good" suspects. 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. We don't want to rush things. This confirmed to the police that Richard was the one who had sexually assaulted and killed Silvia, Kristin, and Kati in 1996 and 1997. 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. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. Inside his apartment they found a locked foot-locker with newspaper clippings about the unsolved murders of three girls: Sofia Silva and sisters Kati and Kristin Lisk. Richard had separated from his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1996 and was considerably older than Hope. Credit: Disney. Many of the police who worked on the Lisk/Silva case for nearly six years are the same ones now studying Evonitz. Following my escape, I was able to go to Virginia and meet with the families of the three girls, Robinson said. He pulled a gun. 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. A People report about Karas bravery noted: However, by the time authorities got there, Evonitz had fled. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. To learn more about Kara Robinson, watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, on Oxygen. His belongings connected him to the abduction and murder of three girls whod been taken from their homes in Virginia years earlier: Sofia Silva, 16, in 1996, and sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, in 1997. 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. Two men she stopped in the parking lot took her to a sheriff's station. 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. Authorities said Evonitz has lived or traveled in California, Virginia, Florida and Texas. In 2010, Robinson graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, reported WISTV.com. Richard Evonitz - Crime Museum Authorities apprehended Evonitz in Florida three days after he kidnapped Robinson, and a high-speed chase occurred, culminating with Evonitz shooting himself and dying. Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! Evonitz stored the footlocker in the corner of his cluttered bedroom, hidden beneath a pile of clothes. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He filed for bankruptcy in 1997, unable to keep up with bills following a divorce, and had a house foreclosed in 1999 following a failed business venture, but at the time of his death, Evonitz had been working at an air-compressor company since moving to South Carolina a few years earlier. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. "I survived a serial killer who abducted me at 15 and - mirror At the time of Karas abduction and subsequent sexual assault, Evonitzs wife of three years, Hope Marie Crawley, was visiting Walt Disney World Resort. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. As he drove from his South Carolina home to Georgia and into Florida last week, Richard Evonitz knew he was only a few steps ahead of police trying to arrest him in the rape of a 15-year-old. LIKE BLUEBEARD, the character in the old European fable, Marc Evonitz had a secret life hidden behind lock and key. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. But she changed her routine that Monday. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. Only when he was ready did the safe Henry Jekyll become the wicked Edward Hyde. Police found her body in a pond weeks later. So he deviated from his plan. We don't know if this is our guy. Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. : r/standwithusa. Richard Marc Evonitz was a devoted spouse who delighted in working with animals and amusing people. whod been taken from their homes in Virginia years earlier: Sofia Silva, 16, in 1996, and sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, in 1997. She had no idea that he had used it to wrap the bodies of the Lisk and Silva girls. Evonitz fled after finding her gone and was tracked by the police to Sarasota, Florida. Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet The Free Lance Star reported in 2002. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Law enforcement officials said he was born and raised near Columbia and attended Irmo High School before joining the Navy. There is no information available on how many of the assets he actually possesses. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarahs Pancake House in Massaponax when they met. Later, authorities identified him as the LiskSilva killer. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! After an 18-hour ordeal, the girl heard Evonitz snoring and was able to escape, authorities said. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. He believed he could do whatever he wanted. The notes contained the addresses of two other young girls and descriptions of them, The Associated Press reported. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. Both bodies were found five days later in a river. While searching his apartment, they found evidence connecting him to all three murders,according to the Free Lance Star. Death Cause -Richard Marc Evonitz Wife, Family, Age, Birthday Kristian Bruun stars as Richard Evonitz in the terrifying film. Inside the Magic is the worlds largest website for fans of Disney World, Disneyland, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. Richard Marc Evonitz, was born on July 29, 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. [4], Following his stint in the Navy, Evonitz worked steadily at businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. But what happened to the man who abducted her? Evonitz and his second wife then moved to Columbia, where he found work at Armstrong Compressed Air Services, based 80 miles away in Spartanburg. Investigators said they might never have stopped Evonitz had Robinson not saved her own life, reported WISTV.com. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! He was horrified and disgusted with himself. Per a Washington Post report, she later expressed that she had no idea her husband was a. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice Hope Evonitz, his second wife,. When Virginia officers looked through his Columbia, S.C., apartment, they searched for an afghan they knew he owned in Spotsylvania. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. We're going to take our time. As a result, it should be under $100,000 USD. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Two days after Robinsons bold escape, she found out that Evonitz had killed himself. 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. After playing a key role in solving Evonitzs other murders, Kara was able to meet the families of both Sofia and the Lisk sisters. Eventually, she began befriending Robert and winning his confidence, even offering to sweep his apartment floor. What they won't do is excuse him. She was. ", One exception that investigators have focused on is Evonitz's 1988 conviction for exposing himself to a teenager and her toddler sister in Florida. Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet. Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain three days before his death. 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. It was his preference, a well-developed appetite. The film starred Katie Douglas as Kara Robinson, Cara Buono as Debra Robinson, and Kristian Bruun as Richard Evonitz. Does She Have Kids? Born in July 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina, Richard Marc Evonitz was the oldest of Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitzs three children. Screenshot from True Crime Daily YouTube, Teen survives abduction by serial killer, now thrives in law enforcement. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. According to the Washington Post, he contacted his sister along the way and confessed to killing someone and committed more crimes than he can recall.. On May 1, 1997, the sisters vanished from their yard. At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. Guns, ropes, and other tools for murder were also found, as were notes that signaled Evonitz had his eye on other potential victims. 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. She realized that a woman with red hair lived with Evonitz when she was abucted. the New York Daily News reported in 2015. the Associated Press reported at the time. They hope to understand him and connect him to other crimes he may have committed. 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. Actor Tom Sizemore's family is currently "deciding end of life matters" after receiving updates from doctors, according to a statement given to CNN from Sizemore's manager Charles Lago . 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. Evonitz's criminal career lasted at least 15 years. Police records in Clay County say he "confessed both orally and written to his guilt. Indeed for the families involved, and for many others in the community, any review of these cases would be painful. According to the New York Daily News, her elder sister was inside but had not heard anything. Richard Marc Evonitz born July 29, 1963 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, S.Carolina. "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story. But that brazen kidnapper, the one operating in the clear light of day, does exist. Richard T. EvonitzRichard Thomas Evonitz, 73, of Fredericksburg died on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his family.Survivors include his wife, Barbara Evonitz; son Richard W. When Kara Robinson managed to flee her captor, Richard Evonitz, she was able to assist authorities in the hunt for a serial murderer. She began working as an assignment editor on the local desk in 2011. Police have learned that Evonitz carefully plotted the who, where and when of his crimes. From all accounts, officials said, Evonitz exhibited no violent behavior in childhood, and he got along well in the Navy and at work. Silva, a 16-year-old with ambitions of attending cosmetology school, was doing homework on her familys doorway on September 9, 1996, when Evonitz abducted her. A 15-year-old kidnap survivor's escape led police to a serial killer: Richard Evonitz. . Kristen and Jennifer, his two daughters, were born in 1968 and 1971, respectively, and he was the first of three children. Other houses in the area where he lived will also be searched, he said. "Just like an animal, he stalks his victims, waits for the right time and takes them," Downes said. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the majority of children are abducted by someone they know. Furthermore, the police found a lockbox containing news clippings and notes related to Kati, Kristin, and Sofias murders, along with writings mentioning the locations near their houses. "He was someone who just blends in. Where Is Kara Robinson's Kidnapper Richard Evonitz Now? | Crime News They are recounted here in detail that some may find disturbing. 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. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. 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. 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. [4], Evonitz was married twice, first to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, then to Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 until his death. Does She Have Kids. Later, they checked to see if they had overlooked him during their long investigation. Today, 19 years after her harrowing ordeal, Kara Robinson Chamberlain is married with two sons -- and 219,700 fans on, , where she seeks to spread hope and encouragement to other survivors, she notes at. Sofia Silva//Image Credit: RTL Zwei In 1987, Richard allegedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. 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,, . . By the time authorities arrived, Evonitz had fled, eventually making his way to Sarasota, Florida. He chose Kara on the spur of the moment. 2d ago Through evidence discovered after Robinsons brave escape, Evonitz was tied to the Silva and Lisk murders. ", But he added, "This is the best lead we've had out of the 12,000 leads to come out.". Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? The Making of Serial Killer Marc Evonitz - Medium 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. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? He never stopped, and he never said he was sorry. Kara said: That was probably the fastest my heart was beating the entire time I was there. 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. According to the Free Lance-Star, they discovered evidence linking him to all three killings while investigating his residence. Sensing no way of escape, Richard shot himself dead before he could be arrested. Nevertheless, the couple tied the knot in 1999 and moved into a small garden apartment in Columbia, South Carolina. Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. Who is Hope Marie Crowley? In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. Evonitz fled his apartment after Robinson's escape and headed down to Florida. The footlocker was symbolic of the control that Evonitz had over his two wives, said Gerard F. Downes, a criminal profiler with the FBI. Birth date from SSDI as Marc E Evonitz, SSN 251-04-4170. Because of that, we do not have any information about how he was on the social media platform or his lifestyle. Lott declined to say what details have led him to believe that Evonitz was not referring to the Lisk slayings when he talked to his sister. What do you think about Karas amazing story? #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 They prefer a much simpler label: predator. He was trolling for potential victims and the best places to dispose of their bodies. 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?'. WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING, WHERE TO WATCH CLEVELAND ABDUCTION ON STREAMING, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Two Richland County deputies and one FBI agent formed a team today that will work full time to reconstruct Evonitz's life. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! They hadn't. "From what we've been able to discern, there were no signals, no signs," Lott said. [6], On May 1, 1997, Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12, from their front lawn after school. "But with us, there was a level of trust. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. She never misses Jeopardy and alternately wishes she lived in Beast's castle or was making the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon. Robinson spoke to Elizabeth Smart from Crime Watch Daily about her kidnapping and how she managed to escape Evonitzs clutches and helped the police catch him. 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. He described another girl in the same neighborhood: her appearance, how she walked each day on certain streets, how her parents were gone during the day, how she entered her home through a rear door. Her body was found five weeks later in a King George County creek. 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. An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: 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. While her friend got ready, Robinson was watering the front lawn. After sexually assaulting them, he strangled the sisters and dumped their bodies in the South Anna River. by Competitive-Club4848. Related:Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered. He took her to his apartment, raped her, forced her to smoke marijuana, and tied her to his bed. Hope Evonitz rode with her husband on some of these trips. As the detectives investigated further, they discovered that after fleeing his Columbia apartment, he had allegedly called some relatives and cryptically stated his crimes. Still, Evonitz left no witnesses or clues. Have something to tell us about this article? 'The Monster' Richard Marc Evonitz was a rapist and a stalker, and he may be worse. Serial Killer Abducted Victim While Wife Was at Walt Disney World After gagging her, he repeatedly raped Kara over the next eighteen hours and forced her to smoke marijuana. Evonitz may have gone on in his life if not for the 15-year-old he spotted as she was watering flowers in a friend's Lexington County yard June 24. To her, they were harmless sightseeing trips. Impulse was a ready excuse for Evonitz, but he was more complicated than that. He used his mother's car when he abducted Kara. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." Her decomposed body was found a month later in a creek off State Route 3 in King George County. 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. I wanted to gather as much information as I could to figure out where I was and who he was to identify him later., Related:Iconic Disney Trains Left Brilliantly Vandalized at EPCOT. Inside were trophies so damning that he risked all to retain them. 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. Glod previously worked at the Montgomery Journal in Maryland. Her decomposed body was found five weeks later in a creek in King George, Virginia, yet the police could not comprehend the cause of death and the killers identity. The footlocker also contained pornographic tapes and many pairs of female underwear, all sizes, from infant to adult. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS. 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. Cara Robinson later became a police officer. ", "Suspect stated he has a problem with masturbating in front of girls," the report said.