There is no information available on how many of the assets he actually possesses. They had all gone missing in Spotsylvania County, Va., more than five years before Karas abduction. whod been taken from their homes in Virginia years earlier: Sofia Silva, 16, in 1996, and sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, in 1997. Investigators suspected the the murders were linked to Silva's, The New York Daily News reported. Thankfully, Kara exhibited immense bravery despite her trauma and managed to escape Richards house the following day. 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. For instance, Kara noticed Hopes hairbrush lying around, with a few red hairs on it. 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. Known as Marc to avoid confusion with a paternal uncle also named Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at age 16. 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. In his wifes absence, he abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson from her friends yard in Columbia at gunpoint. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. Downes and other detectives are familiar with the psychological labels that have been attached to Evonitz, terms like bipolar, hebephile, fantasy-driven or psychopath. Marie Crowly, his wife, couldnt believe her husband was a criminal. 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. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. 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. Kara said the driver didnt seem creepy or scary as he approached her and asked if her parents were home. Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph Evonitz and Tess Ragin Evonitz. To avoid confusion with a paternal uncle called Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at the age of 16 and was known as Marc. Ultimately, as noted earlier, Kara led detectives to Evonitzs apartment, but he had already fled. 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. 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. 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 . Born in July 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina, Richard Marc Evonitz was the oldest of Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitzs three children. 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 forcefully held Kara in his apartment and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for eighteen hours, but luckily, she escaped the following morning. That was two years ago. r/standwithusa 5 min. When he was convicted for exposing himself in Florida at age 23, Evonitz told the arresting officer that he had uncontrollable urges. When Kara Robinson managed to flee her captor, Richard Evonitz, she was able to assist authorities in the hunt for a serial murderer. 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 . In 2002, the 15-year-olds life took a devastating turn after being abducted by Richard Evonitz from her friends home in Columbia, South Carolina. On 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 they surrounded him, he killed himself with his gun. Was it some sort of uniform that he wore when committing his crimes? 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. Investigators said they might never have stopped Evonitz had Robinson not saved her own life, The investigation into Evonitz as the killer of the three girls in Virginia didnt end with his death. . special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. Today, 19 years after her harrowing ordeal, Kara Robinson Chamberlain is married with two sons -- and 219,700 fans on TikTok, where she seeks to spread hope and encouragement to other survivors, she notes at kararobinsonchamberlain.com. He pulled a gun. His name appeared on only one list, a list of newly issued Spotsylvania County business licenses. After his time in the U.S. Navy ended, he settled down in South Carolina and began. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. 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. 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. She had no idea that he had used it to wrap the bodies of the Lisk and Silva girls. We are not able to find his account on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. 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. The crime took place in September 1996. Evonitz was cornered by police in Florida where he then killed himself. Police are not sure. Related:Mother on Flight From Disney World Told to Glue Mask to Childs Face. But authorities and former co-workers said even those closest to Evonitz had no indication that he might have been hiding something. When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. 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. While Richard seemingly remained inactive for the next few years, he struck again in June 2002. He took her to his apartment, tied her, and forced her to smoke marijuana before repeatedly raping her for the next eighteen hours. "If he kept everything locked in there, maybe it wouldn't come out again," she said. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. Evonitz fled after finding her gone and was tracked by the police to Sarasota, Florida. Later, they checked to see if they had overlooked him during their long investigation. Now, if you wish to know more about the murders Richard committed and his current whereabouts, we have you covered. 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. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. she asked. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. In the past few years, he returned to South Carolina and recently moved into a small garden apartment with his 19-year-old wife. It's going to be quite extensive.". Also Read: Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday. When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. The 16-year-old Courtland High junior wanted to go to cosmetology school and loved the color purple. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. At the time of Karas abduction and subsequent sexual assault, Evonitzs wife of three years, Hope Marie Crawley, was visiting Walt Disney World Resort. "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. Big Changes Are Coming to Disneys Paid Genie+ Service, Michael Keatons Morbius Role Is an Easter Egg, Inside the Magic Your Ultimate Source for Themed EntertainmentCoverage, Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered, Mandalorian Actor Facing Underage Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Woman Seen Handcuffed at Disneys Hollywood Studios, Iconic Disney Trains Left Brilliantly Vandalized at EPCOT. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The only time she became animated was when she talked about the footlocker. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. Make sure you join Kara Robinson Chamberlain after the premiere for a live conversation on her Instagram! Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. 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. He served as a sonar technician and received a Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged after eight years of service. 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. 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. On May 1, 1997, the sisters vanished from their yard. Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Investigators were able to track the serial killer to Sarasota, Florida, where a high-speed chase ensued. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. No one answered the door today, and Evonitz's sister and mother have declined to comment. 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. The investigation into Evonitz as the killer of the three girls in Virginia didnt end with his death. Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk and her sister Kati Lisk, Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old who was finishing up her first year of high school and like playing soccer. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. In September 1996, Sofia Silva, 16, disappeared from her front porch in Spotsylvania County. When 15-year-old Kara Robinson arrived at the Richland County Sheriffs Department on June 25, 2022, little did the police expect that she would lead them to a serial killer. I wasn't going to breach that.". In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. Their bodies were found five days later in the South Anna River. 2d ago 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. I just went into survival mode, she told Oxygen. Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. Her loyalness was reflected when she disagreed with believing her husband's acts. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. Kara now a 35-year-old motivational speaker miraculously escaped, ultimately leading police to the would-be murderers Columbia, South Carolina apartment. There were additional guns, ropes, and other murder equipment discovered, as well as notes indicating that Evonitz was on the lookout for other victims. Two Richland County deputies and one FBI agent formed a team today that will work full time to reconstruct Evonitz's life. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. 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. In Spotsylvania, Maj. Howard Smith said the Lisk-Silva Task Force -- composed of FBI agents, state police and Spotsylvania and King George County deputies -- has been doubled in size and also will try to learn "everything this guy has done in the last 10 or 15 years.". Related: 'Mandalorian' Actor Facing Underage Sexual Assault Lawsuit. 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. 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. During the time of these killings, a serial killer was working in the area, Marc Evonitz. 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. He was the first of three children; two sisters, Kristen and Jennifer, followed him in 1968 and 1971. Evonitz's wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. She is expected to be alive with her age close to 41. According to The Associated Press, the notes included the addresses and descriptions of two more young females. He forced her to watch the evening news to see if there was a report of her kidnapping. 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. She was reportedly 17 years old. Richard Gere's wife, Alejandra Silva, shared more updates on the actor's health after he was hospitalized during the couple's vacation in Mexico. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. 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 Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, a two-hour Oxygen special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. richard evonitz wife hope richard evonitz wife hope. She would have recognized the souvenir. On June 24, 2002, Robinson, then 15, was watering the plants at a friend's home in Colombia, South Carolina, when her friend went inside. Evonitz 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. There is not any information on how he spent his early day. They hadn't. 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. Because of that, we do not have any information about how he was on the social media platform or his lifestyle. A People report about Karas bravery noted: However, by the time authorities got there, Evonitz had fled. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. Both bodies were found five days later in a river. Hope Marie Crowley was taken aback when she learned that her husband was a criminal. "We're going to do his whole life's tale," Lott said. You have permission to edit this article. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. EXCLUSIVE: Kara Robinson Chamberlain was 15 when serial killer Richard Evonitz kidnapped her at gunpoint and took her back to his home while his wife was at Walt Disney World At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. ago. Evonitz was suspected of additional killings, and soon before committing suicide, he confessed to his sister to a dozen atrocities. She shared with People: It was one of the most important things thats ever happened to me, she says. He used his mother's car when he abducted Kara. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. l "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story. Guns, ropes, and other tools for murder were also found, as were notes that signaled Evonitz had his eye on other potential victims. Another strange DNA quirk happened with the case. "Obviously, we're all anxious and want to solve this, but we're also very cautious," Smith said. " "They were in fear of him," Downes said. We're going to take our time. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. "She was able to give us information down to the exactness of what was in the apartment.". Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. Sisterhood Of Survival: Elizabeth Smart, Kara Robinson Spearhead New Oxygen Documentary, How Kara Robinson Tried to Cope with Trauma. When he kidnapped Kara, he was married to his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, and she unknowingly played a crucial role in helping the teenager identify Richard. The 12-year-old Spotsylvania Middle School student played clarinet and hoped to be a cartoonist. 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. As the investigators searched for the suspect, they soon traced his location to Sarasota, Florida. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. 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. 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. Hope Evonitz, his second wife,. Richard Marc Evonitz was a devoted spouse who delighted in working with animals and amusing people. What do you think about Karas amazing story? She began working as an assignment editor on the local desk in 2011. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. Usually, Evonitz was more careful. While her friend got ready, Robinson was watering the front lawn. Evonitz was the most dangerous of all predators--an invisible one. They were discovered deceased in a river a few days later. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. To learn more about Kara Robinson, watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, on Oxygen. (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 Their bodies were found five days later. He was a stranger to them. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. This confirmed to the police that Richard was the one who had sexually assaulted and killed Silvia, Kristin, and Kati in 1996 and 1997. 20052023 JAK Schmidt, Inc. All rights reserved. But his crimes were "high-risk," in the sense that he abducted victims from busy suburban neighborhoods in the middle of the day. He never stopped, and he never said he was sorry. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said Evonitz tied the girl up and raped her. 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. He believed he could do whatever he wanted. 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.". Police found her body in a pond weeks later. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. Evonitz's criminal career lasted at least 15 years. Read More: Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. 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. He would not be able to join them, he said, because he had to work. 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. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. "But with us, there was a level of trust. When he used that route, he passed hundreds of other potential dumping sites--country roads, farm fields and logging trails. Robinson explained to Crime Watch Daily that Evonitzs wife was a key to identifying him. "When he feels the urge he drives around looking for a girl 18-19 years old short in height and has brunette hair.". 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. LIKE BLUEBEARD, the character in the old European fable, Marc Evonitz had a secret life hidden behind lock and key. Richard served as a Sonar Technician for eight years before receiving two Good Conduct Medals and an honorable discharge. Only when he was ready did the safe Henry Jekyll become the wicked Edward Hyde. She and other family members met with police the next morning at the Richland County police headquarters. By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. Unexpectedly, this unhealthy behavior gradually turned animalistic, and he resorted to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and even murder to satisfy his depravities. By the time he died, he had progressed from indecent exposure to murder. pic.twitter.com/zcsbeDwBv4. So he deviated from his plan. "He was just a normal person on the outside," Lott said. Who is Vincent Paterno? Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarah's . Following his service in the Navy, Evonitz worked for a number of companies that supplied compressors and grinding machines. Sensing a connection between the murders, the police theorized that the Spotsylvania County victim had also been raped and killed similarly. Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a kidnapping survivor, now reaches thousands of viewers on TikTok with her advice about overcoming trauma. 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. You can cancel at any time. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. "He was someone who just blends in. Cara Robinson later became a police officer. [6], On May 1, 1997, Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12, from their front lawn after school. He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. To avoid confusion with a paternal uncle called Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at the age of 16. Evonitz tried to start a new business in 1999, to manufacture wheel grinders for industrial tools, but he failed. Birth date from SSDI as Marc E Evonitz, SSN 251-04-4170. We don't know if this is our guy. He had urges but he could control them. "He was somebody who felt everything closing in on him. ", One exception that investigators have focused on is Evonitz's 1988 conviction for exposing himself to a teenager and her toddler sister in Florida. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. 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. This included 16-year-old Sofia Silva and 12 and 15-year-old sisters Kati and Kristin Lisk. Investigators said they might never have stopped Evonitz had Robinson not saved her own life, reported WISTV.com. They could not determine if it had been stolen or purchased.