When it came to his net worth, he was just like the rest of us. Evonitzs wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. "We'll take it from the time he was born and go forward. Following his service in the Navy, Evonitz worked for a number of companies that supplied compressors and grinding machines. 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. 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. Richard Evonitz was married to Crowley from 1999 until his death on June 27, 2002. I wasn't going to breach that.". 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. Richard Evonitz had a pattern of committing crimes while his wives were absent. Her abductor, later identified as Richard Evonitz, told her to get into a big plastic container in the cars backseat. Are you watching the premiere of The Girl Who Escaped: #TheKaraRobinsonStory? Inside Evonitzs apartment, authorities made a chilling discovery. That was how he planned it. The murders remained unsolved until 2002, when Evonitz abducted and raped a girl in South Carolina. "Mike," she asked, "was Marc really on vacation? Ginny and Georgia star Katie Douglas stars as Kara Robinson. "He was just a normal person on the outside," Lott said. His violence didn't burst from within him unexpectedly. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). After playing a key role in solving Evonitzs other murders, Kara was able to meet the families of both Sofia and the Lisk sisters. This included 16-year-old Sofia Silva and 12 and 15-year-old sisters Kati and Kristin Lisk. Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story,. The bridge was four miles from U.S. 1 and 31 miles from his home near Massaponax Baptist Church in Spotsylvania. Gower and Evonitz had been neighbors in Columbia and she was a friend of his younger sister. They learned later that Bonnie, his first wife, had the blanket 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. But she changed her routine that Monday. 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. As they released a police dog, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.. In May 1997, 15-year-old Kristin Lisk and her 12-year-old sister, Kati, vanished from their front yard in Spotsylvania. Police now know that Evonitz spent hours traveling the back roads of South Carolina and Virginia. 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. But that brazen kidnapper, the one operating in the clear light of day, does exist. Sensing a connection between the murders, the police theorized that the Spotsylvania County victim had also been raped and killed similarly. Police also were puzzled to find holes cut in the crotch of many of the pieces. He also will host an FBI "working group" on Evonitz next year. Richard Gere's Wife Offers New Health Updates After His Hospitalization Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. richard evonitz wife hope richard evonitz wife hope - k12boost.com special that premiered September 26 and is now streaming. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Related:Watchmen Actors Family Speaks Out, Convinced He Was Murdered. Evonitz's criminal career reportedly started the year before he tied the knot with Bonnie Lou Gower. Hope Marie Crowley was taken aback when she learned that her husband was a criminal. According to the Free Lance-Star, they discovered evidence linking him to all three killings while investigating his residence. ", But he added, "This is the best lead we've had out of the 12,000 leads to come out.". 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. Does She Have Kids. Evonitz may have gone on in his life if not for the 15-year-old he spotted as she was watering flowers in a friend's Lexington County yard June 24. You have permission to edit this article. Life is imitating art in East Palestine, Ohio, as the aftermath of a derailed train is drawing parallels with Netflix's White Noise. Moreover, Richard admitted that he often had uncontrollable sexual urges and would look for and target teenage girls. [4], Evonitz was married twice, first to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996, then to Hope Marie Crowley from 1999 until his death. Authorities found the fingerprints of Krista Lisk inside one of his vehicles, further incriminating him in the heinous murders. 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. Oxygen Network created a documentary about Karas ordeal and incredible survival. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. He was a stranger to them. I want to know why he didnt get me.. Screenshot from True Crime Daily YouTube, Teen survives abduction by serial killer, now thrives in law enforcement. By using this site you agree to our privacy policy. They prefer a much simpler label: predator. By Daniel S. Levine - February 26, 2023 03:04 pm EST. 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. Evonitz's wife was still at The Most Magical Place on Earth while the entire sordid situation unfolded. When he abducted and killed his first victim, Sofia Silva, his first wife was on holiday in California. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Popular: Who is Vessa Rockliff -Daly Cherry Evans Wife? Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Kristin Lisk was a 15-year-old who was finishing up her first year of high school and like playing soccer. Where Is Kara Robinson's Kidnapper Richard Evonitz Now? | Crime News Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. He spoke about Evonitz last year at a meeting of the International Homicide Investigators Association in Las Vegas. Keeping a dark side under lock and key - Fredericksburg.com We focus on bringing you all things fun so you can plan your theme park vacation, enjoy Disney at home, and more. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. The kidnapper took Robinson to his apartment, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and held her captive for 18 hours. He chose Kara on the spur of the moment. It's going to be quite extensive.". Later, they checked to see if they had overlooked him during their long investigation. "They were in fear of him," Downes said. In the late 90s, Hope Marie Crowley was a 17-year-old waitress working at a pancake joint in Massaponax, Virginia. I just went into survival mode, she told. To learn more about Kara Robinson, watch Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story, on Oxygen. ", "Suspect stated he has a problem with masturbating in front of girls," the report said. They were scenes of him, wearing the underwear and pleasuring himself. Was it some sort of uniform that he wore when committing his crimes? . As per the news reported, Marie was a loyal wife to her husband. You can view a clip below: Today, Kara runs a website, where she offers hope and encouragement to other survivors.. After Richard Evonitz was discharged from the Navy, the couple moved to Fredericksburg. At the police station, she spotted Evonitz's supervisor, Mike Augustine of Armstrong Compressors. Through evidence discovered after Robinsons brave escape, Evonitz was tied to the Silva and Lisk murders. The information shed stored in her head proved invaluable in confirming his identity. 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. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? : r He was arrested a month later when his ship returned to port. Tom Sizemore's family 'deciding end of life matters': rep Meanwhile, discovering her escape, Evonitz fled to Florida. The footlocker was symbolic of the control that Evonitz had over his two wives, said Gerard F. Downes, a criminal profiler with the FBI. When Kara Robinson managed to flee her captor, Richard Evonitz, she was able to assist authorities in the hunt for a serial murderer. During that time, she met 36-year-old Richard Marc Evonitz of Columbia, South Carolina, and love quickly blossomed between the two. Inside was a copy of The Free Lance-Star from 1997, with front-page news of the disappearance of the Lisk sisters. Who Were Richard Evonitz's Victims? Is He Dead or Alive? He was horrified and disgusted with himself. Many of the police who worked on the Lisk/Silva case for nearly six years are the same ones now studying Evonitz. We don't know if this is our guy. Actually, he, too, had taken a week's vacation, a secret break. When he used that route, he passed hundreds of other potential dumping sites--country roads, farm fields and logging trails. [2], After high school, Evonitz worked briefly as the manager of a Jiffy Lube, before joining the United States Navy. 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. Investigators were able to track the serial killer to Sarasota, Florida, where a high-speed chase ensued. This February, a derailed train carrying hazardous materials has upended the lives of those living in East Palestine. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. 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. RELATED: WHERE TO WATCH FORGOTTEN ABDUCTION ON STREAMING; Richard remarried Hope Marie Crowley. Following my escape, I was able to go to Virginia and meet with the families of the three girls, Robinson said. #onthisday pic.twitter.com/OIcfpFebnS Murderific True Crime Podcast (@MurderificBPC) July 29, 2019 "Why would you do such a thing?" He married his first wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, in 1988 but suffered a severe financial crisis after their divorce in 1996. Friends and neighbors described the Evonitzs as a pleasant couple, especially Richard was known as someone who was friendly and loved animals. The notes contained the addresses of two other young girls and descriptions of them, The Associated Press reported. On May 1, 1997, the sisters vanished from their yard. Investigators suspected the the murders were linked to Silva's, The New York Daily News reported. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. But authorities and former co-workers said even those closest to Evonitz had no indication that he might have been hiding something. ago. 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. Evonitz mentioned only scant details about that killing, but it was enough to determine that he was not referring to the slayings of three Spotsylvania County, Va., girls, Lott said. Two Richland County deputies and one FBI agent formed a team today that will work full time to reconstruct Evonitz's life. Richard Gere's wife, Alejandra Silva, shared more updates on the actor's health after he was hospitalized during the couple's vacation in Mexico. 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. Two days after Robinsons bold escape, she found out that Evonitz had killed himself. 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. Hope Marie Crowley Now: Where is Richard Evonitz's Wife Today? Because it brought home the importance of what I did. As Police Closed In, Evonitz Admitted Crimes to His Sister The next morning, he slept beside Kara on his bed when she somehow managed to free herself and escape the apartment. Richard Evonitz was reportedly married to Bonnie Lou Gower from 1988 to 1996. He fled, then committed suicide while surrounded by police in Florida. 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. 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. 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 returned to port. When she's not planning her next Disney trip, Rebekah can be found spending time with her family, shopping for Lilly Pulitzer, buried in a good book, or doing yoga. You can cancel at any time. In 2010, Robinson graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Death Cause -Richard Marc Evonitz Wife, Family, Age, Birthday Evonitz fled after finding her gone and was tracked by the police to Sarasota, Florida. 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. They were discovered deceased in a river a few days later. Now, if you wish to know more about the murders Richard committed and his current whereabouts, we have you covered. 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. He then sexually assaulted and strangled them to death, dumping their bodies in the South Anna River. 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. "He was someone who just blends in. After his crimes, Fredericksburg never seemed as safe. He pulled a gun. He never stopped, and he never said he was sorry. Richard Marc Evonitz committed suicide after being apprehended by the police 20 years ago. In 1987 he ran into trouble with the law when he exposed himself to a 15-year-old girl and he was arrested one month later when his ship . He 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. From that knowledge, this community may gain some insight into how such crimes could be prevented in the future. [8][9], On February 11, 2023, Lifetime released a television film called The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. At 15, the Spotsylvania High School freshman played soccer and had an affinity for ladybugs. The couple was in Mexico to celebrate Silva's 40th birthday when Gere was diagnosed with . He pulled a gun. She began working with the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer.