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. After graduating high school and briefly working as a Manager for Jiffy Lube, he joined the Navy. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Hope Evonitz rode with her husband on some of these trips. An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: Tess Ragin had been told of her son's vacation but did not believe it. But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. He pulled a gun. 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. 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. During the time of these killings, a serial killer was working in the area, Marc Evonitz. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. Her decomposed body was found a month later in a creek off State Route 3 in King George County. Unexpectedly, this unhealthy behavior gradually turned animalistic, and he resorted to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and even murder to satisfy his depravities. 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. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. Nevertheless, the detectives found a big locker in the apartment containing several news clippings related to Silvia, Kristin, and Katis unsolved murders. richard evonitz wife hope richard evonitz wife hope. Though Hope does not publicly share many details about herself and has a minimal presence on social media, official records state that she is now in her 40s and resides in West Columbia, South Carolina. ", One exception that investigators have focused on is Evonitz's 1988 conviction for exposing himself to a teenager and her toddler sister in Florida. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice Police found her body in a pond weeks later. 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 . Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Evonitz's wives were curious about the blue trunk, yet never opened it. the New York Daily News reported in 2015. the Associated Press reported at the time. 0. 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. Kristen and Jennifer, his two daughters, were born in 1968 and 1971, respectively, and he was the first of three children. In other news, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. So he deviated from his plan. Authorities said Evonitz pulled up in his mother's green Pontiac Firebird and offered to sell her some magazines. 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. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. In addition to the newspaper clippings, the police found notes about the three girls and directions to a location near their home. Deep within some of the tapes were scenes that Evonitz recorded. ", ON THE WEB: For previous stories in this series, visit fredericksburg.com, To reach JIM HALL: 540/374-5433 jhall@freelancestar.com. Its never been established if Evonitz was involved in more than three murders. "I survived a serial killer who abducted me at 15 and - mirror (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Youve undoubtedly heard of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Dennis Rader, Richard Ramirez, and Eileen Wuornos some of the most well-known serial killers in American history but there are also less well-publicized serial murderers, and one of them has a bizarre Disney connection. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. When police interviewed Hope Evonitz after her husband's death, they said she was controlled and emotionless. The only time she became animated was when she talked about the footlocker. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. The investigation into Evonitz as the killer of the three girls in Virginia didnt end with his death. As per the news reported, Marie was a loyal wife to her husband. 2d ago He had urges but he could control them. 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 . 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. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice Inside was a copy of The Free Lance-Star from 1997, with front-page news of the disappearance of the Lisk sisters. 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. You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. Actually, he, too, had taken a week's vacation, a secret break. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. 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. Kara Robinson's Story: Who Were Richard Evonitz's Other Victims Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Later, he worked at companies that manufactured compressors and grinding equipment. Two men she stopped in the parking lot took her to a sheriff's station. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. Dawn was breaking when Evonitz fell asleep and Robinson recognized her chance to flee. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. But that brazen kidnapper, the one operating in the clear light of day, does exist. 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. With the help of two men in a car in the apartment complex, she reached the nearby police station and reported everything. In his wifes absence, he abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson from her friends yard in Columbia at gunpoint. He forcefully held Kara in his apartment and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for eighteen hours, but luckily, she escaped the following morning. Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain three days before his death. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. Police have learned that Evonitz carefully plotted the who, where and when of his crimes. Please subscribe to keep reading. Richard had separated from his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1996 and was considerably older than Hope. Metts said the girl led detectives to the apartment and picked Evonitz out of a photo array. Oxygen Network created a documentary about Karas ordeal and incredible survival. 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. End came with love, fear, horror - Fredericksburg.com Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. 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. 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. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The Making of Serial Killer Marc Evonitz - Medium After an 18-hour ordeal, the girl heard Evonitz snoring and was able to escape, authorities said. She freed herself from the constraints Evonitz placed on her while he slept before escaping. He would not be able to join them, he said, because he had to work. 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. 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. After graduating from high school, Evonitz worked as a manager at a Jiffy Lube before enlisting in the US Navy. I want to know why he didnt get me.. "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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! "Mike," she asked, "was Marc really on vacation? Evonitz's wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. 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. However, they found a lead in May 1997 when two sisters were found dead in Hanover County. "He was just a normal person on the outside," Lott said. Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. After watching The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story, you might be looking for more details on what happened to Richard Evonitzs first and second wife. Who Is Richard Evonitz Wife Hope Marie Crowley: Is She Still Alive "She was able to give us information down to the exactness of what was in the apartment.". He forced her to watch the evening news to see if there was a report of her kidnapping. Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! When Evonitz looked for her, she was not there. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. Other houses in the area where he lived will also be searched, he said. According to the New York Daily News, Evonitz pulled up and began conversing with her under the guise of selling magazines, before brandishing a gun at her and forcing her into a Rubbermaid container in the back of his car. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. [3], Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitz. (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 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. Evonitz, 38, said he had killed someone and that he had committed "more crimes than he can remember," Richland County, S.C., Sheriff Leon Lott said today. They are recounted here in detail that some may find disturbing. 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. When Kara Robinson escaped her captor, Richard Evonitz, she helped police uncover a serial killer. Evonitz collected the tools of rape and murder and hid them in plain sight. She realized that a woman with red hair lived with Evonitz when she was abucted. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! After his time in the U.S. Navy ended, he settled down in South Carolina and began. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Just consider Richard Evonitz, the serial killer who abducted Kara Robinson, the subject of the new Oxygen special "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story.". Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. From all accounts, officials said, Evonitz exhibited no violent behavior in childhood, and he got along well in the Navy and at work. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. The footlocker also contained a white dress shirt, carefully folded. Maria Glod is the deputy Metro editor at The Washington Post. Ginny and Georgia star Katie Douglas stars as Kara Robinson. Ultimately, as noted earlier, Kara led detectives to Evonitzs apartment, but he had already fled. For some reason, she did not walk at her regular time. 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. ", "Suspect stated he has a problem with masturbating in front of girls," the report said. 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. "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. To avoid confusion with a paternal uncle called Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at the age of 16. Because of that, we do not have any information about how he was on the social media platform or his lifestyle. To everyones shock, Richard had already fled by then, seemingly after noticing Kara gone when he woke up. According to the Associated Press, one of the females depicted in the notes told The Free Lance-Star, Its sort of alarming that this person was out there staring at me. Im curious as to why he didnt see me. There were additional guns, ropes, and other murder equipment discovered, as well as notes indicating that Evonitz was on the lookout for other victims. Her body was found five weeks later in a King George County creek. They learned later that Bonnie, his first wife, had the blanket in California. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Make sure you join Kara Robinson Chamberlain after the premiere for a live conversation on her Instagram! Not just that, the teenager mentally noted her kidnappers doctor and dentists contact details posted on the refrigerator. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. His belongings, connected him to the abduction and murder of three girls. He served as a sonar technician and received a Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged after eight years of service. The 12-year-old Spotsylvania Middle School student played clarinet and hoped to be a cartoonist. Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. 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. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. Evonitz's criminal career lasted at least 15 years. Investigators were able to track the serial killer to Sarasota, Florida, where a high-speed chase ensued. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. And that meant so much to me. It also helped forge her future career decisions. As she looked at them, he forced her at gunpoint into a green plastic storage container in the car's trunk. Who Were Richard Evonitz's Victims? Is He Dead or Alive? She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. [6], On May 1, 1997, Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12, from their front lawn after school. The 39-year-old killed himself following a police chase in Florida that same year. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. On September 9, 1996, Silva, a 16-year-old who had dreams of going to cosmetology school, sat on her family's doorstep doing homework when Evonitz kidnapped her. 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. 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. Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet The Free Lance Star reported in 2002. When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. "We had a couple of fights about the footlocker," Hope Evonitz said in a recent interview with The Free Lance-Star. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 Who is Hope Marie Crowley? special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. 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 .