Her sister Kati Lisk was just 12 and enjoyed playing the clarinet and drawing, local outlet. "We're going to do his whole life's tale," Lott said. After graduating high school and briefly working as a Manager for Jiffy Lube, he joined the Navy. Evonitz's two sisters grew up in the same household, and neither caused the heartaches he did. Police are not sure. 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. His belongings, connected him to the abduction and murder of three girls. An article about Kara's harrowing ordeal noted that she was outside watering flowers for a neighbor: Hope Evonitz resided in Caroline County at the time, and she was aware of the slayings. 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. After gagging her, he repeatedly raped Kara over the next eighteen hours and forced her to smoke marijuana. It seemed that Evonitz delighted in outsmarting police, in making his crimes as daring as possible. 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. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. On May 1, 1997, the sisters vanished from their yard. Credit: Disney. [4], Following his stint in the Navy, Evonitz worked steadily at businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. For more on this case and Robinson's story, watch"Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story.". For instance, Kara noticed Hopes hairbrush lying around, with a few red hairs on it. He also will host an FBI "working group" on Evonitz next year. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. [2], In January 1987, Evonitz exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. Bluebeard's wives were curious about the locked room and eventually looked inside. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. Usually, Evonitz was more careful. Nevertheless, the detectives found a big locker in the apartment containing several news clippings related to Silvia, Kristin, and Katis unsolved murders. I was really, really angry, she told producers. They hadn't. On September 9, 1996, Evonitz kidnapped 16-year-old Sofia Silva from the front steps of her house in Virginia. Police say now that those closest to him--his wives, sisters, mother, friends and co-workers--had no idea he was a killer. To Evonitz, they were scouting expeditions. 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. There is not any information on how he spent his early day. Eventually, the Columbia native tied the knot with Hope Marie Crowley in 1999. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. : r/standwithusa. The conversation took place before he killed himself after a police chase in Florida. Was it some sort of uniform that he wore when committing his crimes? I wasn't going to breach that.". 2d ago They are recounted here in detail that some may find disturbing. Robinson has publicly spoken about the terrifying ordeal, years before the Lifetime true crime movie aired. 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}}. He was attacked by a police dog and ultimately shot himself while surrounded, rather than face the consequences of his actions. Ultimately, as noted earlier, Kara led detectives to Evonitzs apartment, but he had already fled. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. 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. Crowley was working as a waitress at Aunt Sarah's . In Columbia, he worked at an air compressor company and lived blissfully with Hope, who doted on him. Popular: Who is Vessa Rockliff -Daly Cherry Evans Wife? When investigators searched Richard Evonitzs South Carolina apartment, they discovered his connections to the brutal murders of three innocent young girls in the 90s. In 1987, Richard allegedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of a 15-year-old girl in Orange Park, Florida. However, little headway was made in the case until Robinson led police to Evonitz. Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old soccer player who was finishing her freshman year of high school. Richard Evonitz died on June 27, 2002, at the age of 38. Dawn was breaking when Evonitz fell asleep and Robinson recognized her chance to flee. In Spotsylvania, Maj. Howard Smith said the Lisk-Silva Task Force -- composed of FBI agents, state police and Spotsylvania and King George County deputies -- has been doubled in size and also will try to learn "everything this guy has done in the last 10 or 15 years.". Her loyalness was reflected when she disagreed with believing her husband's acts. Authorities said Evonitz pulled up in his mother's green Pontiac Firebird and offered to sell her some magazines. Evonitz was in the Navy and was married twice to much younger wives, with both living unaware of his crimes. 20052023 JAK Schmidt, Inc. All rights reserved. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Police describe his victims as "low-risk," meaning that they did nothing to put themselves in danger. By the time authorities arrived, Evonitz had fled, eventually making his way to Sarasota, Florida. She freed herself from the constraints Evonitz placed on her while he slept before escaping. Hope Evonitz wonders if the trophy box was her husband's way of trying to keep his demons under lock and key. Police records in Clay County say he "confessed both orally and written to his guilt. 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. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. No one answered the door today, and Evonitz's sister and mother have declined to comment. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). You can cancel at any time. Per a Washington Post report, she later expressed that she had no idea her husband was a. Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. Eventually, she began befriending Robert and winning his confidence, even offering to sweep his apartment floor. Following his service in the Navy, Evonitz worked for a number of companies that supplied compressors and grinding machines. 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. Evonitz was sentenced to three years of probation for this offense. Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story,. 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. They argue that many people grow up in toxic surroundings and don't become serial killers. 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. 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 . The film premiered on Lifetime on Saturday, February 11. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 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. Evonitz fled his apartment after Robinson's escape and headed down to Florida. When 15-year-old Kara Robinson arrived at the Richland County Sheriffs Department on June 25, 2022, little did the police expect that she would lead them to a serial killer. 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. The 39-year-old killed himself following a police chase in Florida that same year. Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk and her sister Kati Lisk, Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old who was finishing up her first year of high school and like playing soccer. Richard served as a Sonar Technician for eight years before receiving two Good Conduct Medals and an honorable discharge. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. On May 1, 1997, Richard kidnapped 15-year-old Kristin Lisk and her 12-year-old sister, Kathryn Kati Lisk, from their front lawn after school. There is no information available on how many of the assets he actually possesses. They will focus on possible links between Evonitz and unsolved crimes. When he kidnapped Kara, he was married to his second wife, Hope Marie Crowley, and she unknowingly played a crucial role in helping the teenager identify Richard. 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. For some reason, she did not walk at her regular time. We are not able to find his account on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. Evonitz has been suspected of other murders, and confessed a number of crimes to his sister shortly before committing suicide. But when she escaped, Richard feared his arrest and fled, eventually killing himself to evade arrest. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott describes Evonitz's particular compulsion as "The Monster." . Richard Marc Evonitz forever changed the way area residents view the community. He was the first of three children; two sisters, Kristen and Jennifer, followed him in 1968 and 1971. Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. 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. Evonitz was suspected of additional killings, and soon before committing suicide, he confessed to his sister to a dozen atrocities. "We had a couple of fights about the footlocker," Hope Evonitz said in a recent interview with The Free Lance-Star. Robinson escaped his apartment after being raped and notified police. A WARNING: Evonitz's sexual obsessions are key to understanding him. . I just ran, she said. After an 18-hour ordeal, the girl heard Evonitz snoring and was able to escape, authorities said. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Age, Family, Husband, Net worth, Wiki, Bio, Height, Birthday, Season 41: Sara Wilson Age, Family, Net worth -Birthday, Height, Partner, Wikipedia, Bio. 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. When Virginia officers looked through his Columbia, S.C., apartment, they searched for an afghan they knew he owned in Spotsylvania. There were additional guns, ropes, and other murder equipment discovered, as well as notes indicating that Evonitz was on the lookout for other victims. Hope Evonitz, his second wife,. At the time of Karas abduction and subsequent sexual assault, Evonitzs wife of three years, Hope Marie Crawley, was visiting Walt Disney World Resort. 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. From all accounts, officials said, Evonitz exhibited no violent behavior in childhood, and he got along well in the Navy and at work. Inside the pocket was trace evidence that connected Evonitz to the Lisk sisters. So he deviated from his plan. 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. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. "Just like an animal, he stalks his victims, waits for the right time and takes them," Downes said. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Read More:Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? After his time in the U.S. Navy ended, he settled down in South Carolina and began. Richard Marc Evonitz was a rapist, serial murderer, and kidnapper who murdered three small children in Richland County, South Carolina, then kidnapped and raped a 15-year-old female. The footlocker also contained pornographic tapes and many pairs of female underwear, all sizes, from infant to adult. Another strange DNA quirk happened with the case. He was married twice. Elizabeth Smart serves as an executive producer.[10]. "No signs of the monster.". 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. His name appeared on only one list, a list of newly issued Spotsylvania County business licenses. 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. Does She Have Kids. Serial killer, Richard Marc Evonitz, killed himself while surrounded by police in June 2002. At the police station, she spotted Evonitz's supervisor, Mike Augustine of Armstrong Compressors. Who is Kara Robinsons Husband? She never misses Jeopardy and alternately wishes she lived in Beast's castle or was making the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon. Their bodies were found five days later in the South Anna River. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. Now, if you wish to learn more about Hope, heres what we found! The footlocker was symbolic of the control that Evonitz had over his two wives, said Gerard F. Downes, a criminal profiler with the FBI. A People report about Karas bravery noted: However, by the time authorities got there, Evonitz had fled. A few days later, they were found dead in a river. Other houses in the area where he lived will also be searched, he said. Her decomposed body was found a month later in a creek off State Route 3 in King George County. I just went into survival mode, she told Oxygen. Cara Robinson was abducted out of her friends yard by serial killer Richard Marc Evonitz. Law enforcement officials said he was born and raised near Columbia and attended Irmo High School before joining the Navy. Evonitz hid the souvenirs of his crimes in a locked footlocker in his bedroom. He was arrested a month later when his ship returned to port. Robinson, then 15, was watering plants at a friends house in Colombia, South Carolina, on June 24, 2002, when her companion walked inside. Inside the Magic is the worlds largest website for fans of Disney World, Disneyland, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. Impulse was a ready excuse for Evonitz, but he was more complicated than that. That was two years ago. 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. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. 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. Hope Evonitz, his second wife, told her husband she wanted to know what was in the metal trunk. 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. Evonitz took Robinson to his apartment, where he restrained her, drugged her, and sexually assaulted her. During the time of these killings, a serial killer was working in the area, Marc Evonitz. It was his preference, a well-developed appetite. Moreover, Richard admitted that he often had uncontrollable sexual urges and would look for and target teenage girls. In 1996, Gower left Evonitz for a man in California. Three years after Bonnie Lou Gower left Richard Evonitz, he remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Kristen and Jennifer, his two daughters, were born in 1968 and 1971, respectively, and he was the first of three children. 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.. When he and his wife-to-be Hope Crowley moved from Virginia to Columbia in 1999, they . 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. They had all gone missing in Spotsylvania County, Va., more than five years before Karas abduction. "From what we've been able to discern, there were no signals, no signs," Lott said. Inside the Magic consists of multiple writers & videographers living near both Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and around the world. Independent Contractor (Newspaper Carrier), Spotsylvania woman, 29, killed in crash Thursday morning, Woman pleads guilty to bashing former roommate with bat, Police cite medical emergency in Spotsylvania crash, Spotsylvania approves rezoning, making way for 'techno campus', Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Virginia aerialist wins 'Americas Got Talent: All Stars', New commuter bus routes coming to Fredericksburg area, Spotsylvania man convicted after being caught in child pornography sting, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Spotsylvania schools' new chief of staff will be "legislative liaison" for school division, Spotsylvania School Board member charged with forgery, Virginia State Police seek public's help in fatal crash investigation, Spotsylvania man convicted of felony in driveway shooting, Archived Lisk-Silva stories from June 2002 through present, Archived Lisk-Silva stories from April 2001 through June 2002. PRIVACY POLICY. We focus on bringing you all things fun so you can plan your theme park vacation, enjoy Disney at home, and more. He never stopped, and he never said he was sorry. Yet the water seemed to draw him. The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. Through evidence discovered after Robinsons brave escape, Evonitz was tied to the Silva and Lisk murders. But Evonitz eventually fell asleep, and Robinson was able to slip out of her restraints and make a run for it. Because it brought home the importance of what I did. 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. Inside was a copy of The Free Lance-Star from 1997, with front-page news of the disappearance of the Lisk sisters. 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. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. "If he kept everything locked in there, maybe it wouldn't come out again," she said. Throughout her ordeal, Robinson focused on her abductor and her surroundings to gather information she could use. That was how he planned it. On one of those trips in Hanover County, he discovered an isolated bridge over the South Anna River on State Route 738. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old who was finishing up her first year of high school and like playing soccer. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Her body was found five weeks later in a King George County creek. Investigators were able to track the serial killer to Sarasota, Florida, where a high-speed chase ensued. Staff writers Patricia Davis and Josh White and researcher Bobbye Pratt in Washington contributed to this report. Related: 'Mandalorian' Actor Facing Underage Sexual Assault Lawsuit. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Richard forced the teenager into a plastic bin, drove her to his apartment, and tied her hands and feet. Does She Have Kids. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. 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. 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. To her, they were harmless sightseeing trips. Before being honorably discharged after eight years of service, he worked as a sonar technician and won a Good Conduct Medal. "She was able to give us information down to the exactness of what was in the apartment.". Deep within some of the tapes were scenes that Evonitz recorded. 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. 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. When Kara Robinson escaped her captor, Richard Evonitz, she helped police uncover a serial killer. However, until Robinson led investigators to Evonitz, little progress was made in the investigation. If she had picked the simple lock, as police later did, she would have found evidence of her husband's crimes. The small village, near the border of Pennsylvania, was one of the filming locations used for the Netflix adaptation of Don DeLillo's White . Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963 meaning he was around 25 years old when he was married to Gower. Who is Hope Marie Crowley? the New York Daily News reported in 2015. the Associated Press reported at the time. When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. And that meant so much to me. It also helped forge her future career decisions. Both bodies were found five days later in a river. Have something to tell us about this article? They also found evidence he was stalking other girls in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? 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. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 From 1988 to 1996, Evonitz married Bonnie Lou Gower, and from 1999 till his death, he was married to Hope Marie Crowley. At this point, Evonitz was serving in the US Navy and the couple were based between California and Maine. As she looked at them, he forced her at gunpoint into a green plastic storage container in the car's trunk. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Born in July 1963 in Columbia, South Carolina, Richard Marc Evonitz was the oldest of Joseph and Tess Ragin Evonitzs three children. Because of that, we do not have any information about how he was on the social media platform or his lifestyle. The pursuit ended when Evonitz ran over spike strips and was forced to exit his vehicle. Unexpectedly, this unhealthy behavior gradually turned animalistic, and he resorted to kidnapping, sexual abuse, and even murder to satisfy his depravities. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. 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. 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 . She was reportedly 17 years old. It's never been determined if Evonitz was responsible for more than three murders. Officials said he has no other known criminal convictions. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said Evonitz tied the girl up and raped her. 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? The man held a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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. On September 9, 1996, Richard abducted 16-year-old Sofia Silva from her homes front yard in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. To learn more about Kara Robinson, watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, on Oxygen. Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. However, that brazen kidnapper, the one who operates in broad daylight, does exist. Law enforcement officials spent three hours today searching the house where Evonitz lived in Spotsylvania in 1996 and 1997, Smith said. Neighbors in Columbia said he was friendly and quiet. Richard T. EvonitzRichard Thomas Evonitz, 73, of Fredericksburg died on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his family.Survivors include his wife, Barbara Evonitz; son Richard W. special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. Related:Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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.