Richard Evonitz
Teenage Girl Abduction and Murder
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Spotsylvania County, Virginia
TIME PERIOD
1987-2002
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Richard Marc Edward Evonitz, an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist, was responsible for the abduction and murder of at least three teenage girls in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, between 1996 and 1997, and the abduction of Kara Robinson in Lexington County, South Carolina, in 2002. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, and died by suicide on June 27, 2002, in Sarasota, Florida. Prior to his death, he confessed to his sister about his crimes, which included multiple assaults dating back to 1987, and he was suspected of additional murders. The investigation into his activities remains open, with law enforcement agencies continuing to examine potential links to unsolved cases. Significant evidence includes his DNA, which has been matched to some of the victims, and his prior criminal record for lewd exposure.
Richard Evonitz is believed to have committed more murders beyond the three confirmed victims, with speculation surrounding his potential involvement in unsolved cases in various states. Some theories suggest that his troubled childhood and abusive father may have contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, there are claims that he confessed to other crimes to his sister shortly before his suicide, hinting at a broader pattern of criminal activity.
The Disturbing Crimes of Richard Evonitz: A True Crime Narrative
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Born on July 29, 1963, in Columbia, South Carolina, Richard Marc Edward Evonitz's life seemed destined for darkness from the start. The eldest child of Joseph and Tess Evonitz, Richard grew up in a dysfunctional household alongside his two sisters, Kristen and Jennifer. Their father's alcoholic tendencies cast a long shadow over their lives, with Joseph often belittling his family and resorting to violence, even drowning Richard’s dog before his eyes. When Richard was merely six, his father attempted to drown him as well—a traumatic event that would haunt him in nightmares for years to come.
Despite these grim beginnings, Richard managed to graduate from Irmo High School in 1980. He briefly worked as the manager of a Jiffy Lube before joining the United States Navy, where he served as a sonar technician. His Navy service earned him a Good Conduct Medal, but after eight years, he was honorably discharged. He transitioned into civilian life, working in businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. Yet, financial woes plagued him, leading to bankruptcy in 1997 and the foreclosure of his home in 1999.
Descent into Crime
Richard Evonitz's criminal record began on January 3, 1987, when he exposed himself to 15-year-old Kelli Ballard in Jacksonville, Florida, while she was with her younger sister. The following day, he was seen stalking Kelli and her mother, which led to his arrest when his ship returned to port. He confessed to having a problem with masturbating in front of girls and was sentenced to three years of probation. His criminal exploits did not stop there; he was also suspected of a 1994 abduction and a 1995 rape in Spotsylvania, Virginia.
The Murders Begin
The Case of Sarah Cherry
On July 6, 1988, 12-year-old Sarah Margaret Cherry vanished while babysitting in Bowdoin, Maine. Her body was discovered days later, bound, sexually assaulted, stabbed, and strangled. Although Dennis Dechaine was convicted for her murder, controversy surrounded the case, and he maintained his innocence. From May 1988 to May 1989, Evonitz served aboard the USS Koelsch, stationed near where Cherry was abducted. This proximity, along with similarities in Evonitz's modus operandi, led some to suspect his involvement, although DNA evidence from Cherry's body could not be conclusively matched to him.
Route 29 Stalker
The mystery deepened with the disappearance of Alicia Showalter Reynolds on March 2, 1996. Alicia was last seen talking to a man near a blue pickup truck along Route 29 in Virginia. Her body was found two months later, but the cause of death remains undisclosed. There were suspicions, but no confirmation, linking Evonitz to her murder. Later that year, Anne Carolyn McDaniel's burned remains were discovered near where Reynolds' body had been found. Authorities believed Evonitz might be involved, particularly after finding directions to Reynolds' dump site in his belongings.
The Silva and Lisk Murders
On September 9, 1996, Evonitz abducted 16-year-old Sofia Marlene Silva from her home in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Her body was discovered a month later, wrapped in a white cover, with her pubic hair shaved—a chilling trademark of Evonitz’s crimes.
The horror continued on May 1, 1997, when Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin and Kathryn Lisk from their front lawn. After sexually assaulting them, he strangled the sisters and disposed of their bodies in the South Anna River, where they were found five days later.
The Abduction of Kara Robinson
On June 24, 2002, Evonitz approached 15-year-old Kara Robinson in Lexington, South Carolina, under the guise of distributing pamphlets. Holding a gun to her neck, he forced her into a plastic bin and transported her to his apartment. There, he raped and drugged Kara, tying her to his bed. As he slept, Kara bravely escaped, using information from his refrigerator to identify him to the police. Her courage led to the unraveling of Evonitz's crimes.
The Final Chapter
Realizing the noose was tightening, Evonitz confessed to his sister on June 27, 2002, admitting to numerous crimes. As law enforcement closed in on him in Sarasota, Florida, he chose to end his life with a .25 caliber handgun, taking his secrets with him.
Media and Legacy
Richard Evonitz's chilling story has been recounted in various media, including the television film "The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story," with Kara Robinson bravely sharing her tale. His crimes remain a haunting reminder of the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly ordinary facade.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on Richard Evonitz.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Assault
Richard Evonitz exposes himself to 15-year-old Kelli Ballard in Jacksonville, Florida.
Murder of Sarah Cherry
12-year-old Sarah Cherry is abducted and later found murdered in Bowdoin, Maine.
Alicia Reynolds Disappearance
25-year-old Alicia Showalter Reynolds goes missing along Route 29 in Virginia.
Abduction of Sofia Silva
16-year-old Sofia Marlene Silva is abducted from her home in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
Lisk Sisters Abduction
15-year-old Kristin Lisk and 12-year-old Kathryn Lisk are abducted from their front lawn.
Kara Robinson Abduction
15-year-old Kara Robinson is abducted by Evonitz but later escapes and identifies him.
Evonitz's Suicide
Richard Evonitz commits suicide after confessing to his sister about his crimes.
Case Closure
Authorities announce the closure of the cases related to the murders of the three girls.
Richard Marc Edward Evonitz, an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist, was responsible for the abduction and murder of at least three teenage girls in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, between 1996 and 1997, and the abduction of Kara Robinson in Lexington County, South Carolina, in 2002. Evonitz was born on July 29, 1963, and died by suicide on June 27, 2002, in Sarasota, Florida. Prior to his death, he confessed to his sister about his crimes, which included multiple assaults dating back to 1987, and he was suspected of additional murders. The investigation into his activities remains open, with law enforcement agencies continuing to examine potential links to unsolved cases. Significant evidence includes his DNA, which has been matched to some of the victims, and his prior criminal record for lewd exposure.
Richard Evonitz is believed to have committed more murders beyond the three confirmed victims, with speculation surrounding his potential involvement in unsolved cases in various states. Some theories suggest that his troubled childhood and abusive father may have contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, there are claims that he confessed to other crimes to his sister shortly before his suicide, hinting at a broader pattern of criminal activity.
The Disturbing Crimes of Richard Evonitz: A True Crime Narrative
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Born on July 29, 1963, in Columbia, South Carolina, Richard Marc Edward Evonitz's life seemed destined for darkness from the start. The eldest child of Joseph and Tess Evonitz, Richard grew up in a dysfunctional household alongside his two sisters, Kristen and Jennifer. Their father's alcoholic tendencies cast a long shadow over their lives, with Joseph often belittling his family and resorting to violence, even drowning Richard’s dog before his eyes. When Richard was merely six, his father attempted to drown him as well—a traumatic event that would haunt him in nightmares for years to come.
Despite these grim beginnings, Richard managed to graduate from Irmo High School in 1980. He briefly worked as the manager of a Jiffy Lube before joining the United States Navy, where he served as a sonar technician. His Navy service earned him a Good Conduct Medal, but after eight years, he was honorably discharged. He transitioned into civilian life, working in businesses that sold compressors and grinding equipment. Yet, financial woes plagued him, leading to bankruptcy in 1997 and the foreclosure of his home in 1999.
Descent into Crime
Richard Evonitz's criminal record began on January 3, 1987, when he exposed himself to 15-year-old Kelli Ballard in Jacksonville, Florida, while she was with her younger sister. The following day, he was seen stalking Kelli and her mother, which led to his arrest when his ship returned to port. He confessed to having a problem with masturbating in front of girls and was sentenced to three years of probation. His criminal exploits did not stop there; he was also suspected of a 1994 abduction and a 1995 rape in Spotsylvania, Virginia.
The Murders Begin
The Case of Sarah Cherry
On July 6, 1988, 12-year-old Sarah Margaret Cherry vanished while babysitting in Bowdoin, Maine. Her body was discovered days later, bound, sexually assaulted, stabbed, and strangled. Although Dennis Dechaine was convicted for her murder, controversy surrounded the case, and he maintained his innocence. From May 1988 to May 1989, Evonitz served aboard the USS Koelsch, stationed near where Cherry was abducted. This proximity, along with similarities in Evonitz's modus operandi, led some to suspect his involvement, although DNA evidence from Cherry's body could not be conclusively matched to him.
Route 29 Stalker
The mystery deepened with the disappearance of Alicia Showalter Reynolds on March 2, 1996. Alicia was last seen talking to a man near a blue pickup truck along Route 29 in Virginia. Her body was found two months later, but the cause of death remains undisclosed. There were suspicions, but no confirmation, linking Evonitz to her murder. Later that year, Anne Carolyn McDaniel's burned remains were discovered near where Reynolds' body had been found. Authorities believed Evonitz might be involved, particularly after finding directions to Reynolds' dump site in his belongings.
The Silva and Lisk Murders
On September 9, 1996, Evonitz abducted 16-year-old Sofia Marlene Silva from her home in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Her body was discovered a month later, wrapped in a white cover, with her pubic hair shaved—a chilling trademark of Evonitz’s crimes.
The horror continued on May 1, 1997, when Evonitz abducted sisters Kristin and Kathryn Lisk from their front lawn. After sexually assaulting them, he strangled the sisters and disposed of their bodies in the South Anna River, where they were found five days later.
The Abduction of Kara Robinson
On June 24, 2002, Evonitz approached 15-year-old Kara Robinson in Lexington, South Carolina, under the guise of distributing pamphlets. Holding a gun to her neck, he forced her into a plastic bin and transported her to his apartment. There, he raped and drugged Kara, tying her to his bed. As he slept, Kara bravely escaped, using information from his refrigerator to identify him to the police. Her courage led to the unraveling of Evonitz's crimes.
The Final Chapter
Realizing the noose was tightening, Evonitz confessed to his sister on June 27, 2002, admitting to numerous crimes. As law enforcement closed in on him in Sarasota, Florida, he chose to end his life with a .25 caliber handgun, taking his secrets with him.
Media and Legacy
Richard Evonitz's chilling story has been recounted in various media, including the television film "The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story," with Kara Robinson bravely sharing her tale. His crimes remain a haunting reminder of the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly ordinary facade.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on Richard Evonitz.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Assault
Richard Evonitz exposes himself to 15-year-old Kelli Ballard in Jacksonville, Florida.
Murder of Sarah Cherry
12-year-old Sarah Cherry is abducted and later found murdered in Bowdoin, Maine.
Alicia Reynolds Disappearance
25-year-old Alicia Showalter Reynolds goes missing along Route 29 in Virginia.
Abduction of Sofia Silva
16-year-old Sofia Marlene Silva is abducted from her home in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
Lisk Sisters Abduction
15-year-old Kristin Lisk and 12-year-old Kathryn Lisk are abducted from their front lawn.
Kara Robinson Abduction
15-year-old Kara Robinson is abducted by Evonitz but later escapes and identifies him.
Evonitz's Suicide
Richard Evonitz commits suicide after confessing to his sister about his crimes.
Case Closure
Authorities announce the closure of the cases related to the murders of the three girls.