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. In his wifes absence, he abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson from her friends yard in Columbia at gunpoint. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? 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. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. "Obviously, we're all anxious and want to solve this, but we're also very cautious," Smith said. " Her loyalness was reflected when she disagreed with believing her husband's acts. 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. "No signs of the monster.". Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Season 41: Sara Wilson Age, Family, Net worth -Birthday, Height, Partner, Wikipedia, Bio. Per a Washington Post report, she later expressed that she had no idea her husband was a murderer, though he did allegedly confess to his sister just prior to his death. They hadn't. According to the Free Lance-Star, they discovered evidence linking him to all three killings while investigating his residence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Oxygen Network created a documentary about Karas ordeal and incredible survival. [6], On May 1, 1997, Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12, from their front lawn after school. But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. 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. Moreover, Richard admitted that he often had uncontrollable sexual urges and would look for and target teenage girls. "She was able to give us information down to the exactness of what was in the apartment.". ", But he added, "This is the best lead we've had out of the 12,000 leads to come out.". pic.twitter.com/PJBCnblMux. The 12-year-old Spotsylvania Middle School student played clarinet and hoped to be a cartoonist. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Read More: Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? 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. He was a former Sonar Technician who served in the US Navy for eight years and received two medals for good conduct. It was his preference, a well-developed appetite. Evonitz had known his first wife since she was in the sixth grade. The film premiered on Lifetime on Saturday, February 11. 0. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. Eventually, she began befriending Robert and winning his confidence, even offering to sweep his apartment floor. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. Per a Washington Post report, she later expressed that she had no idea her husband was a. Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain three days before his death. . Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. 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. He pulled a gun. 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. Police describe his victims as "low-risk," meaning that they did nothing to put themselves in danger. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. "Mike," she asked, "was Marc really on vacation? Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. 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. When investigators searched Richard Evonitzs South Carolina apartment, they discovered his connections to the brutal murders of three innocent young girls in the 90s. He was honorably discharged and received medals, including the Navy Achievement Medal, which is given for leadership. 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. Three days after kidnapping Robinson, authorities caught up to Evonitz in Florida and a high-speed ensued, ending when Evonitz shot himself and died. Evonitz reportedly abducted the teenager while his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, was on vacation. 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 . Was it some sort of uniform that he wore when committing his crimes? The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. "He was somebody who felt everything closing in on him. When he abducted Kara, he did so only after placing his wife and mother on a plane for Walt Disney World. He took her to his home before raping her repeatedly, then tied her to the bed before falling asleep, allowing her to the opportunity to escape and alert authorities. They prefer a much simpler label: predator. Evonitz used metal trunk, lies to shield truth. This February, a derailed train carrying hazardous materials has upended the lives of those living in East Palestine. The footlocker was symbolic of the control that Evonitz had over his two wives, said Gerard F. Downes, a criminal profiler with the FBI. "If he kept everything locked in there, maybe it wouldn't come out again," she said. On June 24, 2002, Richard Evonitz abducted the then-15-year-old Kara Robinson. 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. 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. We're going to take our time. Evonitz's criminal career lasted at least 15 years. [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. Hope Evonitz resided in Caroline County at the time, and she was aware of the slayings. The New York Daily News said that investigators thought the deaths were related to Silvas. Her brave act led the police to identify Richard as a serial killer who had murdered three other girls during the 90s. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. Related:What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? 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. 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,, . Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph Evonitz and Tess Ragin Evonitz. At the time of Kara's abduction and subsequent sexual assault, Evonitz's wife of three years, Hope Marie Crawley, was visiting Walt Disney World Resort. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! According to the New York Daily News, her elder sister was inside but had not heard anything. Inside was a copy of The Free Lance-Star from 1997, with front-page news of the disappearance of the Lisk sisters. Richard had separated from his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1996 and was considerably older than Hope. Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! In his secret footlocker police found scraps of paper, old envelopes, anything he could find, on which he had written directions to potential victims' houses and descriptions of young girls. I want to know why he didnt get me.. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." Bluebeard's wives were curious about the locked room and eventually looked inside. He took her to his apartment, tied her, and forced her to smoke marijuana before repeatedly raping her for the next eighteen hours. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 From 1988 to 1996, Evonitz married Bonnie Lou Gower, and from 1999 till his death, he was married to Hope Marie Crowley. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She is expected to be alive with her age close to 41. Hope Evonitz rode with her husband on some of these trips. This confirmed to the police that Richard was the one who had sexually assaulted and killed Silvia, Kristin, and Kati in 1996 and 1997. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. But his crimes were "high-risk," in the sense that he abducted victims from busy suburban neighborhoods in the middle of the day. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. 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. Both bodies were found five days later in a river. Hope Evonitz, his second wife,. Another strange DNA quirk happened with the case. For nearly six years the Lisk/Silva task force chased 12,000 leads, obtained dozens of search warrants and considered countless "good" suspects. "He was someone who just blends in. When he and his wife-to-be Hope Crowley moved from Virginia to Columbia in 1999, they . 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Sisterhood Of Survival: Elizabeth Smart, Kara Robinson Spearhead New Oxygen Documentary, How Kara Robinson Tried to Cope with Trauma. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarahs Pancake House in Massaponax when they met. 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. His belongings, connected him to the abduction and murder of three girls. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The small village, near the border of Pennsylvania, was one of the filming locations used for the Netflix adaptation of Don DeLillo's White . Lifetimes thriller movie The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story chronicles how Kara courageously escaped her captors home after being abducted and assaulted for eighteen hours, eventually helping the police identify him and his past crimes. After Richard Evonitz was discharged from the Navy, the couple moved to Fredericksburg. Usually, Evonitz was more careful. She had no idea that he had used it to wrap the bodies of the Lisk and Silva girls. Later, he worked at companies that manufactured compressors and grinding equipment. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. Evonitz and his second wife then moved to Columbia, where he found work at Armstrong Compressed Air Services, based 80 miles away in Spartanburg. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. She also makes use of TikTokandInstagram where she provides advice on how to heal, how to support, how to speak to victims of crime, and how to embrace a survivor mentality. Her story has also been shared on numerous television shows, including Investigation Discoverys On the Case With Paula Zahn. To Evonitz, they were scouting expeditions. 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. Evonitz fled after finding her gone and was tracked by the police to Sarasota, Florida. 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. She reported the matter to the Richland County Sheriffs Department and took them back to his apartment complex, where a maintenance man helped them identify the residence. 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. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. In 1996, Gower left Evonitz for a man in California. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Evonitz fooled everyone, including his family. A WARNING: Evonitz's sexual obsessions are key to understanding him. Following my escape, I was able to go to Virginia and meet with the families of the three girls, Robinson said. His violence didn't burst from within him unexpectedly. 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. Kristen and Jennifer, his two daughters, were born in 1968 and 1971, respectively, and he was the first of three children. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. While searching his apartment, they found evidence connecting him to all three murders,according to the Free Lance Star. Next year, the FBI will invite law enforcement officers from places where Evonitz lived or traveled to be part of an investigators working group in Quantico. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. I just ran, she said. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. After playing a key role in solving Evonitzs other murders, Kara was able to meet the families of both Sofia and the Lisk sisters. However, they found a lead in May 1997 when two sisters were found dead in Hanover County. Most details that have emerged about Evonitz's life show a man who attracted little attention and was liked and respected by colleagues. The film starred Katie Douglas as Kara Robinson, Cara Buono as Debra Robinson, and Kristian Bruun as Richard Evonitz. As a result, it should be under $100,000 USD. WARNING: Content of a disturbing nature ahead. You have permission to edit this article. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. 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? . At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. Before being honorably discharged after eight years of service, he worked as a sonar technician and won a Good Conduct Medal. by Competitive-Club4848. Richard Evonitz was married to Crowley from 1999 until his death on June 27, 2002. 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. Sensing that there was no escape, he began calling relatives with cryptic confessions. Evonitz's wives were curious about the blue trunk, yet never opened it. 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. Hope Evonitz wonders if the trophy box was her husband's way of trying to keep his demons under lock and key. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. 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. There were additional guns, ropes, and other murder equipment discovered, as well as notes indicating that Evonitz was on the lookout for other victims. Authorities said Evonitz pulled up in his mother's green Pontiac Firebird and offered to sell her some magazines. He had grown arrogant, police said. Because it brought home the importance of what I did. Related:Mother on Flight From Disney World Told to Glue Mask to Childs Face. Nevertheless, the detectives found a big locker in the apartment containing several news clippings related to Silvia, Kristin, and Katis unsolved murders. "They knew if they did [open the trunk], bad things were going to happen.". 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. He declared bankruptcy after losing the majority of his money as a result of the divorce. r/standwithusa 5 min. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. 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. Evonitz has been suspected of other murders, and confessed a number of crimes to his sister shortly before committing suicide. Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. They hope to understand him and connect him to other crimes he may have committed. When police interviewed Hope Evonitz after her husband's death, they said she was controlled and emotionless. In May 1997, 15-year-old Kristin Lisk and her 12-year-old sister, Kati, vanished from their front yard in Spotsylvania. Evonitz was the most dangerous of all predators--an invisible one. But authorities and former co-workers said even those closest to Evonitz had no indication that he might have been hiding something. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. Does She Have Kids. 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. You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. : r/standwithusa. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. And that meant so much to me. It also helped forge her future career decisions. Watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Tale for more information on this case and Robinsons story. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Who is Hope Marie Crowley? Cara Robinson later became a police officer. Law enforcement officials spent three hours today searching the house where Evonitz lived in Spotsylvania in 1996 and 1997, Smith said. LIKE BLUEBEARD, the character in the old European fable, Marc Evonitz had a secret life hidden behind lock and key. Sensing a connection between the murders, the police theorized that the Spotsylvania County victim had also been raped and killed similarly. 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, wrote the New York Daily News. When he was convicted for exposing himself in Florida at age 23, Evonitz told the arresting officer that he had uncontrollable urges. Also Read: Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday. Richard served as a Sonar Technician for eight years before receiving two Good Conduct Medals and an honorable discharge. We don't want to rush things. Still, Evonitz left no witnesses or clues. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. Evonitz was cornered by police in Florida where he then killed himself. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? 20052023 JAK Schmidt, Inc. All rights reserved. In 1987, Richard allegedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? "They were in fear of him," Downes said. We are not able to find his account on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. 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. At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. . The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. If she had picked the simple lock, as police later did, she would have found evidence of her husband's crimes. In addition to the newspaper clippings, the police found notes about the three girls and directions to a location near their home. she asked. However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. [8][9], On February 11, 2023, Lifetime released a television film called The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Its never been established if Evonitz was involved in more than three murders. But that brazen kidnapper, the one operating in the clear light of day, does exist. He chose Kara on the spur of the moment. He was trolling for potential victims and the best places to dispose of their bodies. Only when he was ready did the safe Henry Jekyll become the wicked Edward Hyde. She would have recognized the souvenir. Two days after Robinsons bold escape, she found out that Evonitz had killed himself. 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. In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. PRIVACY POLICY. The footlocker also contained pornographic tapes and many pairs of female underwear, all sizes, from infant to adult. [4], On September 9, 1996, Evonitz abducted 16-year-old Sofia Silva from her front yard near Loriella Park in Spotsylvania County. The sisters disappeared from their yard on May 1, 1997. I just went into survival mode, she told Oxygen. 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. Smith said detectives found evidence in their South Carolina searches that Evonitz was stalking other girls in Spotsylvania. When Kara Robinson managed to flee her captor, Richard Evonitz, she was able to assist authorities in the hunt for a serial murderer. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. Police are not sure. The conversation took place before he killed himself after a police chase in Florida. As per the news reported, Marie was a loyal wife to her husband. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Bluebeard's wives were curious about the locked room and eventually looked inside. Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. Richard Evonitz. 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 . 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. But what happened to the man who abducted her? 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. Nevertheless, the couple tied the knot in 1999 and moved into a small garden apartment in Columbia, South Carolina. They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. The couple was in Mexico to celebrate Silva's 40th birthday when Gere was diagnosed with . Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. [5], Evonitz is suspected of a 1994 abduction and rape and a 1995 rape in Spotsylvania, Virginia. 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. When Evonitz looked for her, she was not there. 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. He then sexually assaulted and strangled them to death, dumping their bodies in the South Anna River. "End of Trial Fails To End Uncertainty; Family Seeks Justice in '96 Va. Killings, While Man Wants to Clear His Name" Washington Post, September 4, 2005 Ian Shapira and Maria Glod, List of serial killers in the United States, "As Police Closed In, Evonitz Admitted Crimes to Sister", "Lifetime Partners Again with Elizabeth Smart on "The Kara Robinson Story", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Evonitz&oldid=1142021837, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The Spotsylvania Serial killer, Lisk/Silva Killer, Bonnie Lou Gower (1988-1996), Hope Marie Crowley (1999-his death), This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 03:03. 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. 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.

Emergency Housing Assistance San Antonio, Tx, Disadvantages Of Matching Test Items, Roger Leblanc Obituary, How Much Does Don Juan Make Kandi, Michael Gardner Obituary Massachusetts, Articles R