From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. California judge faces review for handcuffing 13-year-old in court In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. Most details that have emerged about Evonitz's life show a man who attracted little attention and was liked and respected by colleagues. Kara said: That was probably the fastest my heart was beating the entire time I was there. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. On September 9, 1996, Richard abducted 16-year-old Sofia Silva from her homes front yard in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. But she changed her routine that Monday. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "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. He believed he could do whatever he wanted. That was how he planned it. He was a stranger to them. So he deviated from his plan. 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. . Does She Have Kids. She never misses Jeopardy and alternately wishes she lived in Beast's castle or was making the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon. Richard served as a Sonar Technician for eight years before receiving two Good Conduct Medals and an honorable discharge. According to the Washington Post, he contacted his sister along the way and confessed to killing someone and committed more crimes than he can recall.. 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. The conversation took place before he killed himself after a police chase in Florida. [5], Evonitz is suspected of a 1994 abduction and rape and a 1995 rape in Spotsylvania, Virginia. 0. After an 18-hour ordeal, the girl heard Evonitz snoring and was able to escape, authorities said. He served as a sonar technician and received a Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged after eight years of service. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Inside was a copy of The Free Lance-Star from 1997, with front-page news of the disappearance of the Lisk sisters. Watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Tale for more information on this case and Robinsons story. His belongings, connected him to the abduction and murder of three girls. Law enforcement officials spent three hours today searching the house where Evonitz lived in Spotsylvania in 1996 and 1997, Smith said. Impulse was a ready excuse for Evonitz, but he was more complicated than that. 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. By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. When he abducted Kara, he did so only after placing his wife and mother on a plane for Walt Disney World. I wasn't going to breach that.". Dawn was breaking when Evonitz fell asleep and Robinson recognized her chance to flee. They are recounted here in detail that some may find disturbing. Who Were Richard Evonitz's Victims? Is He Dead or Alive? Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. In May 1997, 15-year-old Kristin Lisk and her 12-year-old sister, Kati, vanished from their front yard in Spotsylvania. As a result, it should be under $100,000 USD. Evonitz abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson Chamberlain three days before his death. Related:What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? To her, they were harmless sightseeing trips. Serial killer, Richard Marc Evonitz, killed himself while surrounded by police in June 2002. The information shed stored in her head proved invaluable in confirming his identity. No one answered the door today, and Evonitz's sister and mother have declined to comment. Still, Evonitz left no witnesses or clues. 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. 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. She would have recognized the souvenir. 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 he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. 'The Monster' Richard Marc Evonitz was a rapist and a stalker, and he may be worse. I want to know why he didnt get me.. After playing a key role in solving Evonitzs other murders, Kara was able to meet the families of both Sofia and the Lisk sisters. The case never went cold, because the task force never stopped working. The film starred Katie Douglas as Kara Robinson, Cara Buono as Debra Robinson, and Kristian Bruun as Richard Evonitz. The New York Daily News said that investigators thought the deaths were related to Silvas. 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. Robinson explained to Crime Watch Daily that Evonitzs wife was a key to identifying him. 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. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? richard evonitz wife hope richard evonitz wife hope. Both bodies were found five days later in a river. Related:Mandalorian Actor Facing Underage Sexual Assault Lawsuit. Hope Evonitz wonders if the trophy box was her husband's way of trying to keep his demons under lock and key. Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. 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. Richard Evonitz. 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. 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. Inside the pocket was trace evidence that connected Evonitz to the Lisk sisters. "We had a couple of fights about the footlocker," Hope Evonitz said in a recent interview with The Free Lance-Star. On September 9, 1996, Evonitz kidnapped 16-year-old Sofia Silva from the front steps of her house in Virginia. 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 . He chose Kara on the spur of the moment. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! If she had picked the simple lock, as police later did, she would have found evidence of her husband's crimes. Evonitz fooled everyone, including his family. This included one of Richards sisters, to whom he reportedly confessed the three murders. Yet the water seemed to draw him. In the two years since his death, federal, state and local investigators have tried to link Evonitz to other crimes, compiling an inch-thick timeline of his life. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." Who is Richard Marc Evonitz? Death Cause - Wife, Age, Family - YouTube At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. She suffered a panic attack when Evonitz put her back in the container while he called his wife, who was at Walt Disney World with his mother. Hope Evonitz resided in Caroline County at the time, and she was aware of the slayings. How does the aftermath of derailed train in Ohio mirror Netflix's White Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Oxygen Network created a documentary about Karas ordeal and incredible survival. Unexpectedly, this unhealthy behavior gradually turned animalistic, and he resorted to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and even murder to satisfy his depravities. A 15-year-old kidnap survivor's escape led police to a serial killer: Richard Evonitz. She was reportedly 17 years old. 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. 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 There were additional guns, ropes, and other murder equipment discovered, as well as notes indicating that Evonitz was on the lookout for other victims. 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? You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. Later, when he fled from police after Kara's escape, he stole license plates and shaved his goatee to hide his identity. When Virginia officers looked through his Columbia, S.C., apartment, they searched for an afghan they knew he owned in Spotsylvania. Friend: Suspected killer not a monster - starnewsonline.com Three days after kidnapping Robinson, authorities caught up to Evonitz in Florida and a high-speed ensued, ending when Evonitz shot himself and died. Two days after Robinsons bold escape, she found out that Evonitz had killed himself. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. Eventually, she began befriending Robert and winning his confidence, even offering to sweep his apartment floor. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. The murders remained unsolved until 2002, when Evonitz abducted and raped a girl in South Carolina. A few days later, they were found dead in a river. This February, a derailed train carrying hazardous materials has upended the lives of those living in East Palestine. The 12-year-old Spotsylvania Middle School student played clarinet and hoped to be a cartoonist. They were discovered deceased in a river a few days later. 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. However, unknown to her and their family, Richard had a sinister side and abducted, raped, and murdered three young girls between 1996 and 1997 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. 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. Later, when examining Evonitz's pornographic tape collection, they found out why. However, they found a lead in May 1997 when two sisters were found dead in Hanover County. Moreover, Richard admitted that he often had uncontrollable sexual urges and would look for and target teenage girls. "I survived a serial killer who abducted me at 15 and - mirror The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Evonitz fled after finding her gone and was tracked by the police to Sarasota, Florida. Richard Marc Evonitz was a devoted spouse who delighted in working with animals and amusing people. 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. 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. 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. By then, Richard had already fled, but Kara could identify the hairbrush with Hopes hair, which became crucial evidence in the investigation. Evonitz took Robinson to his apartment, where he restrained her, drugged her, and sexually assaulted her. His wife and mother were out of town on a trip to Walt Disney World, according to a 2002 Washington Post article. Richard Marc Evonitz (July 29, 1963 - June 27, 2002) 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, South Carolina. Cara Robinson was abducted out of her friends yard by serial killer Richard Marc Evonitz. After Richard Evonitz was discharged from the Navy, the couple moved to Fredericksburg. 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. "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. Death Cause -Richard Marc Evonitz Wife, Family, Age, Birthday Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. The 16-year-old Courtland High junior wanted to go to cosmetology school and loved the color purple. Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. 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. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. ", One exception that investigators have focused on is Evonitz's 1988 conviction for exposing himself to a teenager and her toddler sister in Florida. It's going to be quite extensive.". She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. He was honorably discharged and received medals, including the Navy Achievement Medal, which is given for leadership. Read More:Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? It was then that Evonitz drove up and started chatting to her under the pretense of selling magazines -- before pointing a gun at her and forcing her into a Rubbermaid container in the back of his car, the New York Daily News reported in 2015. Bluebeard hid the bodies of his murdered wives behind one of the locked doors in his castle. Because it brought home the importance of what I did. For instance, Kara noticed Hopes hairbrush lying around, with a few red hairs on it. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. Keeping a dark side under lock and key - Fredericksburg.com From Evonitz's notes police learned that Kara, his South Carolina victim, was not his first choice that day in June 2002. However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. But what happened to the man who abducted her? However, until Robinson led investigators to Evonitz, little progress was made in the investigation. Related:Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered. Now, if you wish to know more about the murders Richard committed and his current whereabouts, we have you covered. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice He pulled a gun. Sensing no way of escape, Richard shot himself dead before he could be arrested. It was his preference, a well-developed appetite. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. 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. It's never been determined if Evonitz was responsible for more than three murders. the New York Daily News reported in 2015. the Associated Press reported at the time. "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.. 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. Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph Evonitz and Tess Ragin Evonitz. On June 24, 2002 Evonitz kidnapped 15-year-old Kara Robinson from a yard in South Carolina. Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. While searching his apartment, they found evidence connecting him to all three murders,according to the Free Lance Star. The 39-year-old killed himself following a police chase in Florida that same year. An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: The pursuit ended when Evonitz ran over spike strips and was forced to exit his vehicle. She is expected to be alive with her age close to 41. He was attacked by a police dog and ultimately shot himself while surrounded, rather than face the consequences of his actions. Life is imitating art in East Palestine, Ohio, as the aftermath of a derailed train is drawing parallels with Netflix's White Noise. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was tracked to Florida on June 27 and was involved in a high speed chase by police to Sarasota, where he was surrounded and subsequently shot himself in the standoff. They prefer a much simpler label: predator. Richard Marc Evonitz committed suicide after being apprehended by the police 20 years ago. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The bridge was four miles from U.S. 1 and 31 miles from his home near Massaponax Baptist Church in Spotsylvania. 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. "But with us, there was a level of trust. Meanwhile, discovering her escape, Evonitz fled to Florida. When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. 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. As per the news reported, Marie was a loyal wife to her husband. At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Following Robinsons escape, Evonitz left his residence and traveled to Florida. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Evonitz's wives were curious about the blue trunk, yet never opened it. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. End came with love, fear, horror - Fredericksburg.com None of it contained telling DNA evidence. [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. He forced her to watch the evening news to see if there was a report of her kidnapping. What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? Evonitz collected the tools of rape and murder and hid them in plain sight. 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. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Created in 2005, what started as a tiny central Florida-based website and short weekly podcast that allowed our audience to visit Walt Disney World virtually has grown into the publishing company it is today. A serial killer abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson in 2002, forced her into his vehicle and restrained her inside his Columbia, South Carolina, home.. Later the authorities would prove he killed at least 3 . Evonitz was cornered by police in Florida where he then killed himself. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. He would not be able to join them, he said, because he had to work. Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said Evonitz tied the girl up and raped her. Also Read: Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday. The next morning, he slept beside Kara on his bed when she somehow managed to free herself and escape the apartment. 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. Investigators said they might never have stopped Evonitz had Robinson not saved her own life, reported WISTV.com. 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. He spoke about Evonitz last year at a meeting of the International Homicide Investigators Association in Las Vegas. Make sure you join Kara Robinson Chamberlain after the premiere for a live conversation on her Instagram! About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . "They knew if they did [open the trunk], bad things were going to happen.". His first wife was Bonnie Lou Gower and his second wife was Hope Marie Crowley. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. Only when he was ready did the safe Henry Jekyll become the wicked Edward Hyde. To everyones shock, Richard had already fled by then, seemingly after noticing Kara gone when he woke up. Richard Evonitz died on June 27, 2002, at the age of 38. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice The couple was in Mexico to celebrate Silva's 40th birthday when Gere was diagnosed with . They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. [4], Following his stint in the Navy, Evonitz worked steadily at businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. On June 24, 2002, 15-year-old Kara Robinson was at a friends house in Lexington County, South Carolina preparing for a day at the lake. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarahs Pancake House in Massaponax when they met. 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. 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 . . 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. But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. 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. After his time in the U.S. Navy ended, he settled down in South Carolina and began. 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. In September 1996, Sofia Silva, 16, disappeared from her front porch in Spotsylvania County. 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. This helped the police track down his location. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. When she explained that her friends mum wasnt home, Evonitz moved closer and said he was handing out brochures. Police initially treated it as a missing persons case instead of an abduction -- until Silva was found about five weeks later, dead in a swamp. "They were in fear of him," Downes said. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). By matching the countless DNA samples found in Richards apartment and car with the ones found on his three victims, the investigators concluded that he was the one who had murdered them years ago and intended to do the same with Kara. Staff writers Patricia Davis and Josh White and researcher Bobbye Pratt in Washington contributed to this report. Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! Not just that, the teenager mentally noted her kidnappers doctor and dentists contact details posted on the refrigerator. 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. Based on Karas testimony and the evidence obtained from the apartment, the police began tracking Richard and located him in Sarasota, Florida. 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. 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. Hope Evonitz, his second wife, told her husband she wanted to know what was in the metal trunk. Police were puzzled by the underwear. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower.