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. This confirmed to the police that Richard was the one who had sexually assaulted and killed Silvia, Kristin, and Kati in 1996 and 1997. After graduating high school and briefly working as a Manager for Jiffy Lube, he joined the Navy. Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. As she looked at them, he forced her at gunpoint into a green plastic storage container in the car's trunk. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 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. Police describe his victims as "low-risk," meaning that they did nothing to put themselves in danger. 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. He then sexually assaulted and strangled them to death, dumping their bodies in the South Anna River. To avoid confusion with a paternal uncle called Richard, he graduated from Irmo High School in 1980 at the age of 16. 0. He was the first of three children; two sisters, Kristen and Jennifer, followed him in 1968 and 1971. Hope Evonitz, his second wife, told her husband she wanted to know what was in the metal trunk. He was a stranger to them. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the majority of children are abducted by someone they know. Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. "He would not even discuss it with her," said Capt. 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. For some reason, she did not walk at her regular time. By the time he died, he had progressed from indecent exposure to murder. Keeping a dark side under lock and key - Fredericksburg.com Investigators were able to track the serial killer to Sarasota, Florida, where a high-speed chase ensued. 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. special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. When he and his wife-to-be Hope Crowley moved from Virginia to Columbia in 1999, they . He was attacked by a police dog and ultimately shot himself while surrounded, rather than face the consequences of his actions. She was 17 years old at the time and Evonitz was 36. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. Serial Killer Abducted Victim While Wife Was at Walt Disney World richard evonitz wife hope richard evonitz wife hope - k12boost.com Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice From all accounts, officials said, Evonitz exhibited no violent behavior in childhood, and he got along well in the Navy and at work. In the past few years, he returned to South Carolina and recently moved into a small garden apartment with his 19-year-old wife. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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 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. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. . They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. 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. Screenshot from True Crime Daily YouTube, Teen survives abduction by serial killer, now thrives in law enforcement. From 1988 to 1996, Evonitz married Bonnie Lou Gower, and from 1999 till his death, he was married to Hope Marie Crowley. This made Richard a primary suspect in the murder investigation. When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. But what happened to the man who abducted her? Her body was found five weeks later in a King George County creek. A WARNING: Evonitz's sexual obsessions are key to understanding him. Learn more about Kara Robinsons story here: True Crime Daily, Copyright 2022 Crime Museum, LLC - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. Glod previously worked at the Montgomery Journal in Maryland. Stranger abductions are extremely rare, yet the image of a mysterious stranger taking children in broad daylight has left an indelible impression on the public mind. On June 24, 2002, Richard Evonitz abducted the then-15-year-old Kara Robinson. As Police Closed In, Evonitz Admitted Crimes to His Sister Related:What Should Guests Do If an Animal at Animal Kingdom Escapes? However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. Through evidence discovered after Robinsons brave escape, Evonitz was tied to the Silva and Lisk murders. Sensing no way of escape, Richard shot himself dead before he could be arrested. Later, they checked to see if they had overlooked him during their long investigation. When he abducted Kara, he did so only after placing his wife and mother on a plane for Walt Disney World. Does She Have Kids? Smith said detectives found evidence in their South Carolina searches that Evonitz was stalking other girls in Spotsylvania. Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a kidnapping survivor, now reaches thousands of viewers on TikTok with her advice about overcoming trauma. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Based on the evidence collected from his apartment, the police concluded that he had killed Silvia, Kristin, and Kati and intended to do the same with Kara. 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. This included one of Richards sisters, to whom he reportedly confessed the three murders. Credit: Disney. Inside a lockbox in the apartment, they found the hints to the Lisk killings. Age, Wife, Family, Net worth, Salary, Wiki, Bio, Why did FedEx fire him. 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. Related:Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered. Ultimately, as noted earlier, Kara led detectives to Evonitzs apartment, but he had already fled. This helped the police track down his location. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. Are you watching the premiere of The Girl Who Escaped: #TheKaraRobinsonStory? Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I just ran, she said. Gere, 73, is "feeling much better," Silva wrote. His wife and mother were out of town on a trip to Walt Disney World, according to a 2002 Washington Post article. 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. Sensing a connection between the murders, the police theorized that the Spotsylvania County victim had also been raped and killed similarly. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. To Evonitz, they were scouting expeditions. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. The footlocker also contained a white dress shirt, carefully folded. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. From Evonitz's notes police learned that Kara, his South Carolina victim, was not his first choice that day in June 2002. Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story,. I knew if I woke him up and wasnt successful [in getting out] that would probably be when I would get hurt, and when his sadistic nature would kick in [she feared being shot in the back]., Related:Florida Man Arrested After Threatening to Blow Up Homes of Disney Executives. When she led police back to Evonitz's apartment, he was gone. The footlocker also contained pornographic tapes and many pairs of female underwear, all sizes, from infant to adult. That was two years ago. Evonitz was suspected of additional killings, and soon before committing suicide, he confessed to his sister to a dozen atrocities. Friends and neighbors described the Evonitzs as a pleasant couple, especially Richard was known as someone who was friendly and loved animals. Tom Sizemore's family 'deciding end of life matters': rep Richard Marc Evonitz, was born on July 29, 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. He also will host an FBI "working group" on Evonitz next year. 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. 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Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Following Robinsons escape, Evonitz left his residence and traveled to Florida. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to three years' probation. According to the New York Daily News, her elder sister was inside but had not heard anything. Actor Tom Sizemore's family is currently "deciding end of life matters" after receiving updates from doctors, according to a statement given to CNN from Sizemore's manager Charles Lago . While Richard seemingly remained inactive for the next few years, he struck again in June 2002. Was it some sort of uniform that he wore when committing his crimes? Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. She was eventually able to escape and share information with authorities. While her friend got ready, Robinson was watering the front lawn. The couple was in Mexico to celebrate Silva's 40th birthday when Gere was diagnosed with . 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. Two Richland County deputies and one FBI agent formed a team today that will work full time to reconstruct Evonitz's life. They are recounted here in detail that some may find disturbing. This allows us to bring you the most interesting, entertaining, and unique entertainment experiences, covering theme parks, movies, TV, video games, and special events. South Carolina kidnapping survivor Kara Robinson reveals tips for Evonitz stored the footlocker in the corner of his cluttered bedroom, hidden beneath a pile of clothes. To her, they were harmless sightseeing trips. 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. You have permission to edit this article. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Evonitz used metal trunk, lies to shield truth. The 39-year-old killed himself following a police chase in Florida that same year. The abduction became the biggest mistake of Richard Evonitz's criminal career when Robinson escaped and eventually sent police down his path. 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. Authorities apprehended Evonitz in Florida three days after he kidnapped Robinson, and a high-speed chase occurred, culminating with Evonitz shooting himself and dying. They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. He never stopped, and he never said he was sorry. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarah's . 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. 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. pic.twitter.com/zcsbeDwBv4. On May 1, 1997, the sisters vanished from their yard. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Three days after kidnapping Robinson, authorities caught up to Evonitz in Florida and a high-speed ensued, ending when Evonitz shot himself and died. [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. At that point, my brain shut off my emotions. 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. The bridge was four miles from U.S. 1 and 31 miles from his home near Massaponax Baptist Church in Spotsylvania. [4], Evonitz was married twice, first to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, then to Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 until his death. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? Who was Richard Evonitz's wife? Kara Robinson's kidnapper was married twice 'The Monster' Richard Marc Evonitz was a rapist and a stalker, and he may be worse. We're going to take our time. He served as a sonar technician and received a Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged after eight years of service. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. In one swift movement, she moved the items [that were blocking the doorway], shoved the vacuum cleaner into the closet and slammed it shut, opened the front door and ran out. Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. They will focus on possible links between Evonitz and unsolved crimes. 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 . The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. 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.