The Unseen Horror: 7 Shocking Facts About Serial Killer Richard Marc Evonitz And The Woman Who Escaped Him

The name Richard Marc Evonitz still sends a shiver down the spine of Virginia and South Carolina residents, over two decades after his crime spree ended. This seemingly normal man—a Navy veteran, a two-time husband, and a father—was secretly a predator responsible for a string of kidnappings, rapes, and murders that terrorized the Spotsylvania County area in the late 1990s. His reign of terror, which earned him the moniker 'Route 29 Stalker,' was eventually brought to a sudden, violent end in 2002, not by a massive police manhunt alone, but by the extraordinary bravery of his final victim, Kara Robinson Chamberlain.

As of late 2024, the case remains a subject of intense public interest, with new details emerging from unexpected sources, including his former spouse's viral social media accounts. The story of Richard Marc Evonitz is a stark reminder of the evil that can hide in plain sight, and the incredible resilience of those who survived him. This article delves into the most shocking and recently revealed facts about the serial killer's life, his horrific crimes, and the lasting impact he left behind.

Richard Marc Evonitz: A Complete Biographical Profile

The man behind the mask of the serial killer known as the 'Route 29 Stalker' lived a life of unsettling duality, maintaining a facade of normalcy while committing heinous acts.

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• Full Name: Richard Marc Edward Evonitz
• Born: July 29, 1963, in Columbia, South Carolina
• Parents: Joe Evonitz and Tess Evonitz
• Military Service: Served in the United States Navy
• Marital History: Married twice; first to Bonnie Lou Gower (1988–1996) and then to a second, younger woman.
• Known Crimes: Serial murder, kidnapping, and rape. Responsible for the deaths of at least three girls and the kidnapping/rape of one survivor.
• Victims (Known): Sofia Silva, Kristin Lisk, and Kati Lisk (murder victims); Kara Robinson (kidnapping/rape survivor).
• Death: June 27, 2002, in Sarasota, Florida (Suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound).

The Spotsylvania Murders and the Route 29 Stalker

Richard Marc Evonitz's confirmed criminal history centers around a terrifying period in the late 1990s in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and the surrounding areas. The pattern of his attacks on young girls led authorities to believe they were dealing with a highly dangerous and organized predator.

The Tragic Timeline of the Lisk and Silva Murders

The three confirmed murder victims were all young girls abducted from their homes or near their homes, creating an atmosphere of widespread panic across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Evonitz was later linked to all three cold cases through DNA evidence and his connection to the area.

• Sofia Silva (16): Abducted on September 9, 1996, from her home in Spotsylvania County. Her body was found over a month later in a wooded area in Orange County.
• Kristin Lisk (15) and Kati Lisk (12): The two sisters were abducted from their home in Spotsylvania County on May 1, 1997. Their bodies were discovered days later in the South Anna River in Hanover County. The proximity and similar circumstances of the disappearances cemented the fear of a serial predator.

For years, these cases remained unsolved, frustrating investigators and leaving the families in agonizing limbo. The killer was dubbed the 'Route 29 Stalker' due to the proximity of the crimes to the major highway, U.S. Route 29, a central artery for the region.

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7 Shocking and Recent Revelations About Richard Evonitz

While the murders occurred decades ago, new and chilling details about Evonitz's life, his methods, and the periphery of his crimes continue to surface, keeping the case relevant in the true crime community and offering fresh perspectives.

1. The Incredible Escape of Kara Robinson Chamberlain

Evonitz's criminal career was abruptly halted in 2002 due to the resourcefulness of a 15-year-old girl, Kara Robinson. Abducted from a friend's house in South Carolina, Kara was held captive for 18 hours.

During her captivity, she meticulously gathered information: she counted his steps, noted the contents of his 'kill kit' box, and memorized details about his apartment.

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After he fell asleep, she managed to escape by slipping out of her bindings and fleeing the apartment. Her detailed and accurate information, including the location of the apartment, led police directly to Evonitz's residence, where they found evidence linking him to the Virginia murders.

2. His Ex-Wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, Is Now a Viral TikTok Story

In a truly modern development, Evonitz's first ex-wife, Bonnie Lou Gower, began sharing her story on social media platform TikTok, gaining viral attention and providing a unique, intimate perspective on the killer's double life.

Gower was married to Evonitz from 1988 to 1996, a period that overlapped with the beginning of his confirmed crime spree. She has shared details about his controlling behavior, his strange habits, and her shock upon learning the truth about the man she had married.

3. The Potential Link to the 1989 Murder of Sarah Cherry

For years, Evonitz was only linked to the three Virginia murders. However, recent investigations have explored a potential connection to the 1989 murder of 12-year-old Sarah Cherry in Maine.

This potential link is a significant development because another man, Dennis Dechaine, was convicted of Cherry's murder. The exploration of Evonitz's involvement, driven in part by a team from the University of Virginia School of Law, suggests that Evonitz may have been active as a predator much earlier than previously confirmed, potentially clearing the name of a wrongly convicted man.

4. He Committed Suicide as Police Closed In

The end of Evonitz's rampage was sudden and self-inflicted. After Kara Robinson's escape and detailed testimony, police quickly tracked him to his home in South Carolina.

As law enforcement closed in, Evonitz fled to Sarasota, Florida. Before he could be apprehended, he took his own life with a gunshot wound. This act prevented him from ever standing trial for the murders of Sofia Silva, Kristin Lisk, and Kati Lisk, or the kidnapping of Kara Robinson.

5. Evonitz Was a Navy Veteran

Adding to the unsettling profile of a hidden predator, Richard Marc Evonitz was a military veteran, having served in the United States Navy. This detail further highlights the successful mask of respectability he wore, enabling him to blend into society and evade suspicion for years.

6. He was a "Good Family Man" on the Surface

Evonitz was often described by those who knew him superficially as an average, good family man. He held a job and maintained a family life, which allowed him to operate without raising red flags. This contrast between his public persona and his private, horrific acts is a classic, chilling trait of many serial killers.

7. The Case Was a Major Early Test for the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit

The series of unsolved murders in Virginia became a high-profile case that significantly involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The investigation was one of the major cases where the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) played a crucial role in developing a profile of the killer, though the final break came from the victim's escape.

The Lasting Legacy of the Route 29 Stalker

The case of Richard Marc Evonitz is a powerful example of both tragedy and triumph. The pain and loss inflicted on the families of Sofia Silva and the Lisk sisters are a permanent scar on the community. However, the story is also defined by the extraordinary survival and advocacy of Kara Robinson Chamberlain.

Today, Kara is a fierce advocate for survivors and an educator, sharing her story to help others and train law enforcement. Her ability to survive and provide the information that finally stopped the 'Route 29 Stalker' is a testament to human resilience, ensuring that while Evonitz's name is remembered for his crimes, his end is forever linked to the bravery of his final victim.