When he was convicted for exposing himself in Florida at age 23, Evonitz told the arresting officer that he had uncontrollable urges. Yet, despite her traumatic ordeal, she kept an alert mind and noted all the details of her surroundings. When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. He had urges but he could control them. 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. On May 1, 1997, the sisters vanished from their yard. 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. Evonitz has been suspected of other murders, and confessed a number of crimes to his sister shortly before committing suicide. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. The investigation into Evonitz as the killer of the three girls in Virginia didnt end with his death. So he deviated from his plan. [6], On May 1, 1997, Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12, from their front lawn after school. You have permission to edit this article. Police were puzzled by the underwear. Richard Gere's Wife Offers New Health Updates After His Hospitalization The information shed stored in her head proved invaluable in confirming his identity. To her, they were harmless sightseeing trips. I want to know why he didnt get me.. On June 24, 2002, Richard Evonitz abducted the then-15-year-old Kara Robinson. They prefer a much simpler label: predator. Evonitz and his second wife then moved to Columbia, where he found work at Armstrong Compressed Air Services, based 80 miles away in Spartanburg. The case never went cold, because the task force never stopped working. For nearly six years the Lisk/Silva task force chased 12,000 leads, obtained dozens of search warrants and considered countless "good" suspects. "He would not even discuss it with her," said Capt. Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. Related:What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? Yet the water seemed to draw him. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." 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. 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. ", "Suspect stated he has a problem with masturbating in front of girls," the report said. Furthermore, the police found a lockbox containing news clippings and notes related to Kati, Kristin, and Sofias murders, along with writings mentioning the locations near their houses. 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. Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Following Robinsons escape, Evonitz left his residence and traveled to Florida. After playing a key role in solving Evonitzs other murders, Kara was able to meet the families of both Sofia and the Lisk sisters. Impulse was a ready excuse for Evonitz, but he was more complicated than that. Investigators said they might never have stopped Evonitz had Robinson not saved her own life, reported WISTV.com. In addition to the newspaper clippings, the police found notes about the three girls and directions to a location near their home. No one answered the door today, and Evonitz's sister and mother have declined to comment. [4], Evonitz was married twice, first to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, then to Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 until his death. By then, Richard had already fled, but Kara could identify the hairbrush with Hopes hair, which became crucial evidence in the investigation. He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. He was attacked by a police dog and ultimately shot himself while surrounded, rather than face the consequences of his actions. But his crimes were "high-risk," in the sense that he abducted victims from busy suburban neighborhoods in the middle of the day. Her older sister was inside but hadn't heard a thing, according to the New York Daily News. South Carolina kidnapping survivor Kara Robinson reveals tips for Also Read: Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday. He forcefully held Kara in his However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. There is no information available on how many of the assets he actually possesses. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. Kara Robinson was abducted by serial killer Richard Evonitz from her friend's yard in 2002. 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. 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,, . He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. The man behind the wheel was Richard (Marc) Evonitz, 38, who was prowling the neighborhood for his next victim after murdering three girls Sofia Silva, 16, and sisters Kristin, 15, and Kati Lisk, 12 years earlier. While Richard seemingly remained inactive for the next few years, he struck again in June 2002. Its never been established if Evonitz was involved in more than three murders. However, until Robinson led investigators to Evonitz, little progress was made in the investigation. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. An article about Karas harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: when a car drove past and came back moments later, pulling into the driveway. On September 9, 1996, Evonitz kidnapped 16-year-old Sofia Silva from the front steps of her house in Virginia. Richard Marc Evonitz born July 29, 1963 was a serial killer, kidnapper and rapist responsible for the deaths of three girls in Spotsylvania County, Virginia and the abduction and rape of a 15-year-old girl in Richland County, S.Carolina. This helped the police track down his location. 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. [4], On September 9, 1996, Evonitz abducted 16-year-old Sofia Silva from her front yard near Loriella Park in Spotsylvania County. Popular: Who is Vessa Rockliff -Daly Cherry Evans Wife? Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Thankfully, Kara exhibited immense bravery despite her trauma and managed to escape Richards house the following day. In the past few years, he returned to South Carolina and recently moved into a small garden apartment with his 19-year-old wife. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. Credit: Disney. 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. It's going to be quite extensive.". 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. Police say now that those closest to him--his wives, sisters, mother, friends and co-workers--had no idea he was a killer. When she led police back to Evonitz's apartment, he was gone. The image of the shadowy stranger snatching children in broad daylight made a lasting impact on the collective consciousness, but the truth is stranger abductions are very rare. 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. Her decomposed body was found a month later in a creek off State Route 3 in King George County. Guns, ropes, and other tools for murder were also found, as were notes that signaled Evonitz had his eye on other potential victims. Hope Evonitz rode with her husband on some of these trips. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarahs Pancake House in Massaponax when they met. Law enforcement officials said he was born and raised near Columbia and attended Irmo High School before joining the Navy. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. Later, when examining Evonitz's pornographic tape collection, they found out why. Authorities said Evonitz has lived or traveled in California, Virginia, Florida and Texas. They will focus on possible links between Evonitz and unsolved crimes. The case was first regarded as a missing person case rather than an abduction until Silva was discovered dead in a marsh five weeks later. Indeed for the families involved, and for many others in the community, any review of these cases would be painful. Authorities apprehended Evonitz in Florida three days after he kidnapped Robinson, and a high-speed chase occurred, culminating with Evonitz shooting himself and dying. When she explained that her friends mum wasnt home, Evonitz moved closer and said he was handing out brochures. I just ran, she said. Was it some sort of uniform that he wore when committing his crimes? We don't know if this is our guy. LIKE BLUEBEARD, the character in the old European fable, Marc Evonitz had a secret life hidden behind lock and key. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. With the help of two men in a car in the apartment complex, she reached the nearby police station and reported everything. 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. Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story,. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? "I survived a serial killer who abducted me at 15 and - mirror Crowley remained in South Carolina after Evonitzs death. 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. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. richard evonitz wife hope richard evonitz wife hope - k12boost.com 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Hope Evonitz wonders if the trophy box was her husband's way of trying to keep his demons under lock and key. In September 1996, Sofia Silva, 16, disappeared from her. "When he feels the urge he drives around looking for a girl 18-19 years old short in height and has brunette hair.". In Columbia, he worked at an air compressor company and lived blissfully with Hope, who doted on him. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice 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. To Evonitz, they were scouting expeditions. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Who is Hope Marie Crowley? By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. "But with us, there was a level of trust. Because it brought home the importance of what I did. 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. "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.. Police have learned that Evonitz carefully plotted the who, where and when of his crimes. They could not determine if it had been stolen or purchased. 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. Sensing that there was no escape, he began calling relatives with cryptic confessions. His first wife was Bonnie Lou Gower and his second wife was Hope Marie Crowley. Richard Marc Evonitz was a devoted spouse who delighted in working with animals and amusing people. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. [4], Following his stint in the Navy, Evonitz worked steadily at businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. 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. Staff writers Patricia Davis and Josh White and researcher Bobbye Pratt in Washington contributed to this report. Bluebeard hid the bodies of his murdered wives behind one of the locked doors in his castle. r/standwithusa 5 min. Investigators suspected the the murders were linked to Silva's, The New York Daily News reported. At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. Steve Dempsey of the King George County Sheriff's Office and a member of the task force that investigated the 1996 and '97 slayings of three Spotsylvania County girls: Sofia Silva and Kristin and Kati Lisk. He 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. 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. 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. WARNING: Content of a disturbing nature ahead. However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. Cara Robinson was abducted out of her friends yard by serial killer Richard Marc Evonitz. 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. Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. We focus on bringing you all things fun so you can plan your theme park vacation, enjoy Disney at home, and more. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? Richard Marc Evonitz, was born on July 29, 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina. Sensing a connection between the murders, the police theorized that the Spotsylvania County victim had also been raped and killed similarly. They had all gone missing in Spotsylvania County, Va., more than five years before Karas abduction. "Mike," she asked, "was Marc really on vacation? What do you think about Karas amazing story? Nevertheless, the detectives found a big locker in the apartment containing several news clippings related to Silvia, Kristin, and Katis unsolved murders. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. Just consider Richard Evonitz, the serial killer who abducted Kara Robinson, the subject of the new Oxygen special "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story.". Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. 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. After graduating high school and briefly working as a Manager for Jiffy Lube, he joined the Navy. 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. Elizabeth Smart serves as an executive producer.[10]. However, they found a lead in May 1997 when two sisters were found dead in Hanover County. With his wife gone and their Columbia apartment empty, he could play out his fantasies of domination and control. Hope Marie Crowley was taken aback when she learned that her husband was a criminal. WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING, WHERE TO WATCH CLEVELAND ABDUCTION ON STREAMING, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Kara now a 35-year-old motivational speaker miraculously escaped, ultimately leading police to the would-be murderers Columbia, South Carolina apartment. 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. November 18, 2021 . [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. She was eventually able to escape and share information with authorities. Because I felt like, Wow, Im actually giving these families something that they never wouldve gotten without me. Just the closure of knowing that the person responsible for their daughters death is no longer here.. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? Glod previously worked at the Montgomery Journal in Maryland. Evonitz fooled everyone, including his family. Later, he worked at companies that manufactured compressors and grinding equipment. We don't want to rush things. 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. Richard served as a Sonar Technician for eight years before receiving two Good Conduct Medals and an honorable discharge. The abduction became the biggest mistake of Richard Evonitz's criminal career when Robinson escaped and eventually sent police down his path. 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. How does the aftermath of derailed train in Ohio mirror Netflix's White On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. The crime took place in September 1996. From Evonitz's notes police learned that Kara, his South Carolina victim, was not his first choice that day in June 2002. He was married twice. While searching his apartment, they found evidence connecting him to all three murders,according to the Free Lance Star. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. 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 . For more on this case and Robinson's story, watch"Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story.". She began working as an assignment editor on the local desk in 2011. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. [3], Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitz. Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. Richard Evonitz died on June 27, 2002, at the age of 38. Robinson, then 15, was watering plants at a friends house in Colombia, South Carolina, on June 24, 2002, when her companion walked inside. Richard Marc Evonitz committed suicide after being apprehended by the police 20 years ago. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. The pursuit of Evonitz began when the 15-year-old he kidnapped at gunpoint managed to escape from handcuffs and slip out of his apartment in Columbia on Tuesday morning. After Richard Evonitz was discharged from the Navy, the couple moved to Fredericksburg. ago. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarah's . 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. 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. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Once the police closed in on him on June 27, a high-speed car chase followed, ending with him shooting himself dead to avoid arrest. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. Following my escape, I was able to go to Virginia and meet with the families of the three girls, Robinson said. 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. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. 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. According to the Free Lance-Star, they discovered evidence linking him to all three killings while investigating his residence. An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: 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. Who is Richard Marc Evonitz? Death Cause - Wife, Age, Family - YouTube Kara Robinsons Story Comes Up In Law Enforcement Career, How Kara Robinson Tried to Cope with Trauma, Kara Robinson Didnt Want People to Feel Sorry for Her, 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. "They knew if they did [open the trunk], bad things were going to happen.". 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. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. PRIVACY POLICY. Tess Ragin had been told of her son's vacation but did not believe it. Inside a lockbox in the apartment, they found the hints to the Lisk killings. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. He filed for bankruptcy in 1997 after a divorce left him unable to pay his expenses, and the property was foreclosed on in 1999 after a failed business endeavor, although Evonitz had been working at an air-compressor firm since moving to South Carolina a few years before his death. You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. "They were in fear of him," Downes said. Who is Vincent Paterno? He took her to his apartment, tied her, and forced her to smoke marijuana before repeatedly raping her for the next eighteen hours. Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet. The small village, near the border of Pennsylvania, was one of the filming locations used for the Netflix adaptation of Don DeLillo's White . 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. His violence didn't burst from within him unexpectedly. 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. This made Richard a primary suspect in the murder investigation. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. Related:Mandalorian Actor Facing Underage Sexual Assault Lawsuit. Richard had separated from his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1996 and was considerably older than Hope. When Virginia officers looked through his Columbia, S.C., apartment, they searched for an afghan they knew he owned in Spotsylvania. Their bodies were found five days later in the South Anna River. But due to the lack of evidence, both cases remained cold for several years until June 24, 2002, when Richard abducted 15-year-old Kara Robinson at gunpoint from her friends front yard in Columbia. Serial Killer Abducted Victim While Wife Was at Walt Disney World The notes contained the addresses of two other young girls and descriptions of them, The Associated Press reported. 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.
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