Serial killer Richard Marc EVONITZ | Characteristics: Kidnapping - Rape Hope Evonitz resided in Caroline County at the time, and she was aware of the slayings. He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. At the time of Karas abduction and subsequent sexual assault, Evonitzs wife of three years, Hope Marie Crawley, was visiting Walt Disney World Resort. 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. 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. 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. Their bodies were found five days later in the South Anna River. In 2010, Robinson graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Tale for more information on this case and Robinsons story. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarahs Pancake House in Massaponax when they met. "From what we've been able to discern, there were no signals, no signs," Lott said. On June 24, 2002, Hope and Richards mother were away on vacation at Disneyland, California. In an August 2002 interview, the young widow stated, He was my husband, he is still my husband, and I love him dearly. Once the investigation concluded, Hope chose to remain in South Carolina and stood by her husbands family following his death. For instance, Kara noticed Hopes hairbrush lying around, with a few red hairs on it. His violence didn't burst from within him unexpectedly. Robinson, then 15, was watering plants at a friends house in Colombia, South Carolina, on June 24, 2002, when her companion walked inside. Are you watching the premiere of The Girl Who Escaped: #TheKaraRobinsonStory? pic.twitter.com/zcsbeDwBv4. The crime took place in September 1996. 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. His name appeared on only one list, a list of newly issued Spotsylvania County business licenses. As the investigators searched for the suspect, they soon traced his location to Sarasota, Florida. Maria Glod is the deputy Metro editor at The Washington Post. Tom Sizemore's family 'deciding end of life matters': rep Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. The film premiered on Lifetime on Saturday, February 11. He forcefully held Kara in his apartment and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for eighteen hours, but luckily, she escaped the following morning. They are recounted here in detail that some may find disturbing. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While her friend got ready, Robinson was watering the front lawn. They learned later that Bonnie, his first wife, had the blanket in California. The footlocker also contained pornographic tapes and many pairs of female underwear, all sizes, from infant to adult. Later, he worked at companies that manufactured compressors and grinding equipment. by Competitive-Club4848. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. Evonitzs criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Popular: Who is Vessa Rockliff -Daly Cherry Evans Wife? The only time she became animated was when she talked about the footlocker. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. 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. After Richard Evonitz was discharged from the Navy, the couple moved to Fredericksburg. [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. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. 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. His belongings, connected him to the abduction and murder of three girls. In the past few years, he returned to South Carolina and recently moved into a small garden apartment with his 19-year-old wife. Evonitz's wives were curious about the blue trunk, yet never opened it. "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story. After graduating from high school, Evonitz worked as a manager at a Jiffy Lube before enlisting in the US Navy. 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. Both bodies were found five days later in a river. He forcefully held Kara in his 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. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. "They were in fear of him," Downes said. The information shed stored in her head proved invaluable in confirming his identity. Indeed for the families involved, and for many others in the community, any review of these cases would be painful. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. The Making of Serial Killer Marc Evonitz - Medium He pulled a gun. The notes contained the addresses of two other young girls and descriptions of them, The Associated Press reported. 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. 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. 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. And while Evonitz was described by those who knew him as a well-respected, married Navy veteran who was twice awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the 38-year-old had actually been in trouble with the law before, for masturbating in front of a teen girl, The Washington Post reported. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Investigators soon found evidence that Evonitz was responsible for the murders of three girls in Virginia:Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk and her sister Kati Lisk, the Associated Press reported at the time. To everyones shock, Richard had already fled by then, seemingly after noticing Kara gone when he woke up. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Dawn was breaking when Evonitz fell asleep and Robinson recognized her chance to flee. He was married twice. Have something to tell us about this article? With his wife gone and their Columbia apartment empty, he could play out his fantasies of domination and control. What they won't do is excuse him. Police describe his victims as "low-risk," meaning that they did nothing to put themselves in danger. Gower and Evonitz had been neighbors in Columbia and she was a friend of his younger sister. Evonitz married Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, and then his second wife Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 till his death. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. When Evonitz looked for her, she was not there. There is no information available on how many of the assets he actually possesses. The 16-year-old Courtland High junior wanted to go to cosmetology school and loved the color purple. She began working as an assignment editor on the local desk in 2011. This February, a derailed train carrying hazardous materials has upended the lives of those living in East Palestine. From all accounts, officials said, Evonitz exhibited no violent behavior in childhood, and he got along well in the Navy and at work. Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. Kristen and Jennifer, his two daughters, were born in 1968 and 1971, respectively, and he was the first of three children. He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. 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. As per the news reported, Marie was a loyal wife to her husband. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. Kara now a 35-year-old motivational speaker miraculously escaped, ultimately leading police to the would-be murderers Columbia, South Carolina apartment. Her older sister was inside but hadn't heard a thing, according to the New York Daily News. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/ReutersAlex Murdaugh, the once-prominent member of a legal dynasty in South Carolina's Lowcountry, has been convicted of murdering his wife and son in June 2021.Murdaugh, 54, was found guilty of all four counts against him on Thursday in connection with the deaths of his 52-year-old wife, Maggie, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, near the . November 18, 2021 . However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. He chose strangers to abduct and kill. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice 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. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. "Why would you do such a thing?" California judge faces review for handcuffing 13-year-old in court Actually, he, too, had taken a week's vacation, a secret break. Does She Have Kids. At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. 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. 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. He was arrested a month later when his ship returned to port. The small village, near the border of Pennsylvania, was one of the filming locations used for the Netflix adaptation of Don DeLillo's White . special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. The abduction became the biggest mistake of Richard Evonitz's criminal career when Robinson escaped and eventually sent police down his path. But authorities and former co-workers said even those closest to Evonitz had no indication that he might have been hiding something. When Virginia officers looked through his Columbia, S.C., apartment, they searched for an afghan they knew he owned in Spotsylvania. Years later, while on the run in South Carolina, he told his sister Kristen that he had abducted and raped a 15-year-old girl, as police charged. 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. Following my escape, I was able to go to Virginia and meet with the families of the three girls, Robinson said. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Richard Evonitz was married to Crowley from 1999 until his death on June 27, 2002. Evonitz was suspected of additional killings, and soon before committing suicide, he confessed to his sister to a dozen atrocities. "I just wanted him to sit across from me and look in my eyes, she said, and know that picking me was the greatest mistake he ever made.. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday, Who is Vessa Rockliff -Daly Cherry Evans Wife? Hope Evonitz, his second wife, told her husband she wanted to know what was in the metal trunk. Evonitz has been suspected of other murders, and confessed a number of crimes to his sister shortly before committing suicide. ", One exception that investigators have focused on is Evonitz's 1988 conviction for exposing himself to a teenager and her toddler sister in Florida. He fled, then committed suicide while surrounded by police in Florida. Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. . 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. He had grown arrogant, police said. He used his mother's car when he abducted Kara. A 15-year-old kidnap survivor's escape led police to a serial killer: Richard Evonitz. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. She is expected to be alive with her age close to 41. However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. We focus on bringing you all things fun so you can plan your theme park vacation, enjoy Disney at home, and more. Keeping a dark side under lock and key - Fredericksburg.com "Obviously, we're all anxious and want to solve this, but we're also very cautious," Smith said. " Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. He spoke about Evonitz last year at a meeting of the International Homicide Investigators Association in Las Vegas. He forced her to watch the evening news to see if there was a report of her kidnapping. Evonitz had known his first wife since she was in the sixth grade. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." Two days after Robinsons bold escape, she found out that Evonitz had killed himself. Does She Have Kids? The case never went cold, because the task force never stopped working. Related: 'Mandalorian' Actor Facing Underage Sexual Assault Lawsuit. 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. When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. Glod previously worked at the Montgomery Journal in Maryland. whod been taken from their homes in Virginia years earlier: Sofia Silva, 16, in 1996, and sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, in 1997. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? Evonitz's wives were curious about the blue trunk, yet never opened it. I just went into survival mode, she told Oxygen. ", "Suspect stated he has a problem with masturbating in front of girls," the report said. He took her to his apartment, raped her, forced her to smoke marijuana, and tied her to his bed. Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Season 41: Sara Wilson Age, Family, Net worth -Birthday, Height, Partner, Wikipedia, Bio. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Hope Marie Evonitz (ne Crowley) was utterly devastated by her husbands death and the shocking revelations made by the police, yet she refused to believe he had done anything wrong. The bridge was four miles from U.S. 1 and 31 miles from his home near Massaponax Baptist Church in Spotsylvania. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. Police think while his 20-year-old wife was on vacation, Mr. Evonitz kidnapped a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint on June 24, forced her to his vehicle, drove her to his Columbia apartment and. [4], Following his stint in the Navy, Evonitz worked steadily at businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. Its never been established if Evonitz was involved in more than three murders. Police have learned that Evonitz carefully plotted the who, where and when of his crimes. Richard Marc Evonitz was a devoted spouse who delighted in working with animals and amusing people. [2], After high school, Evonitz worked briefly as the manager of a Jiffy Lube, before joining the United States Navy. He declared bankruptcy after losing the majority of his money as a result of the divorce. 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. Authorities apprehended Evonitz in Florida three days after he kidnapped Robinson, and a high-speed chase occurred, culminating with Evonitz shooting himself and dying. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Her brave act led the police to identify Richard as a serial killer who had murdered three other girls during the 90s. Where Is Kara Robinson's Kidnapper Richard Evonitz Now? | Crime News Elizabeth Smart serves as an executive producer.[10]. Three days after kidnapping Robinson, authorities caught up to Evonitz in Florida and a high-speed ensued, ending when Evonitz shot himself and died. Please subscribe to keep reading. . At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. He took her to his apartment, tied her, and forced her to smoke marijuana before repeatedly raping her for the next eighteen hours. Who Is Richard Evonitz Wife Hope Marie Crowley: Is She Still Alive Investigators soon found evidence that Evonitz was responsible for the murders of three girls in Virginia: Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk and her sister Kati Lisk, the Associated Press reported at the time. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. 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. Inside were trophies so damning that he risked all to retain them. Neighbors in Columbia said he was friendly and quiet. 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. He was horrified and disgusted with himself. But inside Evonitz's apartment, detectives found a Fredericksburg, Va., newspaper from the day after the Lisk abductions and notes about the girls, along with directions to a location near their home. Life is imitating art in East Palestine, Ohio, as the aftermath of a derailed train is drawing parallels with Netflix's White Noise. 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. To Evonitz, they were scouting expeditions. "I survived a serial killer who abducted me at 15 and - mirror [8][9], On February 11, 2023, Lifetime released a television film called The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. "Of all the people in my 24 years that I've ever investigated, he's probably the most evil," said Dempsey of the King George Sheriff's Office. Before being honorably discharged after eight years of service, he worked as a sonar technician and won a Good Conduct Medal. "No signs of the monster.". The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Staff writers Patricia Davis and Josh White and researcher Bobbye Pratt in Washington contributed to this report. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. [3], Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitz. Now, if you wish to know more about the murders Richard committed and his current whereabouts, we have you covered. Later the authorities would prove he killed at least 3 . 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. Antisemitic man threatened to kill Jewish pols, Michigan AG says she 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. Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph Evonitz and Tess Ragin Evonitz. Screenshot from True Crime Daily YouTube, Teen survives abduction by serial killer, now thrives in law enforcement. Her decomposed body was found a month later in a creek off State Route 3 in King George County. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. The pursuit ended when Evonitz ran over spike strips and was forced to exit his vehicle. While Richard seemingly remained inactive for the next few years, he struck again in June 2002. Another strange DNA quirk happened with the case. But Evonitz eventually fell asleep, and Robinson was able to slip out of her restraints and make a run for it. she asked. Evonitz reportedly abducted the teenager while his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, was on vacation. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! was twice awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the 38-year-old had actually been in trouble with the law before, for masturbating in front of a teen girl, The Washington Post reported. I didnt look back for a second. Robinson sprinted toward a car in the parking lot and pleaded with the people inside to bring her to the police station.