The case never went cold, because the task force never stopped working. 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. 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. Sisterhood Of Survival: Elizabeth Smart, Kara Robinson Spearhead New Oxygen Documentary, How Kara Robinson Tried to Cope with Trauma. Meanwhile, discovering her escape, Evonitz fled to Florida. But his crimes were "high-risk," in the sense that he abducted victims from busy suburban neighborhoods in the middle of the day. "But with us, there was a level of trust. A 15-year-old kidnap survivor's escape led police to a serial killer: Richard Evonitz. They were discovered deceased in a river a few days later. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice By the time he died, he had progressed from indecent exposure to murder. "No signs of the monster.". They had all gone missing in Spotsylvania County, Va., more than five years before Karas abduction. Three days after kidnapping Robinson, authorities caught up to Evonitz in Florida and a high-speed ensued, ending when Evonitz shot himself and died. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. Hope Marie Crowley was taken aback when she learned that her husband was a criminal. Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. But perhaps that pain will be bearable if these newly revealed facts help us to understand how a man capable of performing these misdeeds could live among us. Unexpectedly, this unhealthy behavior gradually turned animalistic, and he resorted to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and even murder to satisfy his depravities. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. I just went into survival mode, she told. 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. There were additional guns, ropes, and other murder equipment discovered, as well as notes indicating that Evonitz was on the lookout for other victims. He also will host an FBI "working group" on Evonitz next year. [2], In January 1987, Evonitz exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. Nevertheless, the detectives found a big locker in the apartment containing several news clippings related to Silvia, Kristin, and Katis unsolved murders. Kristian Bruun stars as Richard Evonitz in the terrifying film. It seemed that Evonitz delighted in outsmarting police, in making his crimes as daring as possible. 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. They learned later that Bonnie, his first wife, had the blanket in California. 5 chilling details about Kara Robinson's kidnapper Richard Evonitz On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. 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. He was honorably discharged and received medals, including the Navy Achievement Medal, which is given for leadership. I was really, really angry, she told producers. At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. She is expected to be alive with her age close to 41. Tom Sizemore's family 'deciding end of life matters': rep Evonitz has been suspected of other murders, and confessed a number of crimes to his sister shortly before committing suicide. 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. Keeping a dark side under lock and key - Fredericksburg.com After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. 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. As the investigators searched for the suspect, they soon traced his location to Sarasota, Florida. Usually, Evonitz was more careful. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. Learn more about Kara Robinsons story here: True Crime Daily, Copyright 2022 Crime Museum, LLC - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. He took her to his apartment, tied her, and forced her to smoke marijuana before repeatedly raping her for the next eighteen hours. In September 1996, Sofia Silva, 16, disappeared from her front porch in Spotsylvania County. She was reportedly 17 years old. She never misses Jeopardy and alternately wishes she lived in Beast's castle or was making the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon. He was trolling for potential victims and the best places to dispose of their bodies. Does She Have Kids. Are you watching the premiere of The Girl Who Escaped: #TheKaraRobinsonStory? The last days of Richard Marc Evonitz, suspect in the Lisk-Silva slayings 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 . PRIVACY POLICY. As they surrounded him, he killed himself with his gun. 0. 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. "Why would you do such a thing?" 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 shared with People: It was one of the most important things thats ever happened to me, she says. The New York Daily News said that investigators thought the deaths were related to Silvas. Before being honorably discharged after eight years of service, he worked as a sonar technician and won a Good Conduct Medal. 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. Police say now that those closest to him--his wives, sisters, mother, friends and co-workers--had no idea he was a killer. Watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Tale for more information on this case and Robinsons story. 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. Evonitz's wives were curious about the blue trunk, yet never opened it. 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. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. His first wife was Bonnie Lou Gower and his second wife was 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. 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. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. Richard Evonitz Obituary (2014) - Fredericksburg, VA - The Free Lance On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Bluebeard hid the bodies of his murdered wives behind one of the locked doors in his castle. Most details that have emerged about Evonitz's life show a man who attracted little attention and was liked and respected by colleagues. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. 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. 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. Indeed for the families involved, and for many others in the community, any review of these cases would be painful. Her brave act led the police to identify Richard as a serial killer who had murdered three other girls during the 90s. Inside were trophies so damning that he risked all to retain them. Also Read: Actor: Arno Greeff Age, Parents, Brother, Wikipedia -Biography, Ethnicity, Family, Height, Net worth, Birthday. They argue that many people grow up in toxic surroundings and don't become serial killers. Bluebeard's wives were curious about the locked room and eventually looked inside. The sisters disappeared from their yard on May 1, 1997. "We had a couple of fights about the footlocker," Hope Evonitz said in a recent interview with The Free Lance-Star. The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. Evonitz took Robinson to his apartment, where he restrained her, drugged her, and sexually assaulted her. 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. 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. Smith said detectives found evidence in their South Carolina searches that Evonitz was stalking other girls in Spotsylvania. : r/standwithusa. Their continuing work has unlocked some of the mystery that surrounds the man: the why behind his crimes, and the nature and extent of his dangerous perversions. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. 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. 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. Life is imitating art in East Palestine, Ohio, as the aftermath of a derailed train is drawing parallels with Netflix's White Noise. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. He fled, then committed suicide while surrounded by police in Florida. 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. He served as a sonar technician and received a Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged after eight years of service. After gagging her, he repeatedly raped Kara over the next eighteen hours and forced her to smoke marijuana. Evonitz made scouting trips and careful notes of what he saw. Birth date from SSDI as Marc E Evonitz, SSN 251-04-4170. Marie Crowly, his wife, couldnt believe her husband was a criminal. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. It's going to be quite extensive.". Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? He chose strangers to abduct and kill. Does She Have Kids. Most children are kidnapped by someone they know, per the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It's never been determined if Evonitz was responsible for more than three murders. Its never been established if Evonitz was involved in more than three murders. Per a Washington Post report, she later expressed that she had no idea her husband was a. Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! He was arrested a month later when his ship returned to port. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. pic.twitter.com/zcsbeDwBv4. Just consider Richard Evonitz, the serial killer who abducted Kara Robinson, the subject of the new Oxygen special "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story.". He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. 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. 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. So he deviated from his plan. 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. 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. l "Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story. Who is Hope Marie Crowley? We don't know if this is our guy. Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. Their bodies were found five days later in the South Anna River. 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. 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What do you think about Karas amazing story? Who is Richard Marc Evonitz? Death Cause - Wife, Age, Family - YouTube Once the officers accompanied the 15-year-old to the apartment complex, a maintenance worker pointed them to Richards apartment. Credit: Disney. Read More: Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. When she led police back to Evonitz's apartment, he was gone. He had grown arrogant, police said. But authorities and former co-workers said even those closest to Evonitz had no indication that he might have been hiding something. Consider serial murderer Richard Evonitz, the subject of the upcoming Oxygen special Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, who kidnapped Kara Robinson. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! She and other family members met with police the next morning at the Richland County police headquarters. "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.. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [4], On September 9, 1996, Evonitz abducted 16-year-old Sofia Silva from her front yard near Loriella Park in Spotsylvania County. Kara said: That was probably the fastest my heart was beating the entire time I was there. But what happened to the man who abducted her? However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. Born in July 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina, Richard Marc Evonitz was the oldest of Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitzs three children. 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. He would not be able to join them, he said, because he had to work. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? . In 1996, Gower left Evonitz for a man in California. 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. But Evonitz eventually fell asleep, and Robinson was able to slip out of her restraints and make a run for it. 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. This made Richard a primary suspect in the murder investigation. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph Evonitz and Tess Ragin Evonitz. He pulled a gun. 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. In other news, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet. He forcefully held Kara in his apartment and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for eighteen hours, but luckily, she escaped the following morning. Later, when he fled from police after Kara's escape, he stole license plates and shaved his goatee to hide his identity. Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said Evonitz tied the girl up and raped her. Kara Robinson was abducted by serial killer Richard Evonitz from her friend's yard in 2002. None of it contained telling DNA evidence. At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. 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. 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. Two men she stopped in the parking lot took her to a sheriff's station. Authorities said Evonitz has lived or traveled in California, Virginia, Florida and Texas. 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. Dawn was breaking when Evonitz fell asleep and Robinson recognized her chance to flee. Only when he was ready did the safe Henry Jekyll become the wicked Edward Hyde. Police have learned that Evonitz carefully plotted the who, where and when of his crimes. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. We focus on bringing you all things fun so you can plan your theme park vacation, enjoy Disney at home, and more. He was attacked by a police dog and ultimately shot himself while surrounded, rather than face the consequences of his actions. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 The pursuit ended when Evonitz ran over spike strips and was forced to exit his vehicle. ago. Hope Evonitz, his second wife,. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. He forced her to watch the evening news to see if there was a report of her kidnapping. 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. 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. In 2010, Robinson graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, reported WISTV.com. The Making of Serial Killer Marc Evonitz - Medium She realized that a woman with red hair lived with Evonitz when she was abucted. Evonitz's wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Inside the pocket was trace evidence that connected Evonitz to the Lisk sisters. But that brazen kidnapper, the one operating in the clear light of day, does exist. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! When she explained that her friends mum wasnt home, Evonitz moved closer and said he was handing out brochures. "She was so, so alert," Metts said. [2], After high school, Evonitz worked briefly as the manager of a Jiffy Lube, before joining the United States Navy. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS. With his wife gone and their Columbia apartment empty, he could play out his fantasies of domination and control. . Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Season 41: Sara Wilson Age, Family, Net worth -Birthday, Height, Partner, Wikipedia, Bio. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A WARNING: Evonitz's sexual obsessions are key to understanding him. 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? But she changed her routine that Monday. In 1987, Richard allegedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. Richard Marc Evonitz, was born on July 29, 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina. Kara now a 35-year-old motivational speaker miraculously escaped, ultimately leading police to the would-be murderers Columbia, South Carolina apartment. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. Does She Have Kids? Make sure you join Kara Robinson Chamberlain after the premiere for a live conversation on her Instagram! 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. 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. 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. Friends and neighbors described the Evonitzs as a pleasant couple, especially Richard was known as someone who was friendly and loved animals. Later, he worked at companies that manufactured compressors and grinding equipment. When Kara Robinson escaped her captor, Richard Evonitz, she helped police uncover a serial killer. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. I just ran, she said. After his time in the U.S. Navy ended, he settled down in South Carolina and began. When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. He had at least two handguns, a plastic tub for his victims, a pair of handcuffs that he reinforced with wire, and a 2-by-4 with ropes and eyebolts that he used for bondage. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? : r Evonitz tried to start a new business in 1999, to manufacture wheel grinders for industrial tools, but he failed. After graduating high school and briefly working as a Manager for Jiffy Lube, he joined the Navy. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the majority of children are abducted by someone they know. 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. Evonitzs criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. 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.. 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. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. The investigation into Evonitz as the killer of the three girls in Virginia didnt end with his death. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? [3], Richard Marc Edward Evonitz was born at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, to Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitz. In Columbia, he worked at an air compressor company and lived blissfully with Hope, who doted on him. Richard Evonitz. What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? She joined The Post in 1997 as a two-year intern covering policing and courts in Loudoun County, Va. She later covered local and national education. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: Serial killer Richard Marc EVONITZ | Characteristics: Kidnapping - Rape His name appeared on only one list, a list of newly issued Spotsylvania County business licenses. 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. Authorities apprehended Evonitz in Florida three days after he kidnapped Robinson, and a high-speed chase occurred, culminating with Evonitz shooting himself and dying. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice