Latest news with #ISurvived
Scottish Sun
07-08-2025
- Scottish Sun
I was watering plants in the front garden when a serial killer abducted me at 15, I was kept in a plastic box
CLOSE CALL I was watering plants in the front garden when a serial killer abducted me at 15, I was kept in a plastic box WHEN KARA Chamberlain-Robinson chose to help a friend by watering the flowers in her front garden, she had no idea of the horror that would ensue. Kara would soon find herself strapped to the bed with an unknown serial killer thanks to her good deed. Advertisement 4 Kara Robinson was abducted 23 years ago by a serial killer Credit: Instagram 4 Kara pictured as a young teen before her kidnapping Credit: Instagram 4 Robert Evonitz had already murdered three other young girls before Kara Credit: FBI She was just 15 at the time, and had spent the night at her friend's house when she decided to wake up early and help with some chores. That's when she noticed a white car pull up and a well-dressed man walking over to her. It was June 2002 in South Carolina, when Robert Evonitz approached her, claiming to be selling magazines. He asked if her parents were home, and Kara said it wasn't her house but her friend's mum was inside working. Advertisement Robert approached her, saying he would give her the magazines but as he stepped closer she noticed a pistol gun in his right hand that he held to her neck. She recalled: "He told me if I screamed, he would shoot me. "I was in disbelief, I couldn't really believe it." Kara assumed people would see what was happening as she was on a neighbourhood street and made her way to his car. Advertisement Inside, a large plastic container covered the back seats and he ordered her to get inside. From that point on, Kara repeated one thing to herself 'gather information, wait for him to be complacent, escape.' The Dull Truth About Serial Killers She attempted to pay attention to each turn he made, but once they got on the motorway, she realised there was no point in keeping track. Robert then drove off the motorway, pulling up at a secluded spot where he bound Kara's wrists, gagged her and placed the lid on the container she was squeezed into. Advertisement It was the absolute worst feeling knowing that I'm in this container, this close to people and they have no idea that I'm here. Kara Robinson-Chamberlain "It was like a supernatural calm came over me and I was able to keep a level head," she says when recalling the kidnapping on I Survived. "He wanted my fear and he wanted me to cry and he wanted me to yell and scream. And I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction." Kara remembers that he began to drive again, stopping after 20 minutes and carrying the container, which she was trapped in, inside his flat. "I could hear people like the sounds of people, cars, people talking. I could hear that outside of the container," she explained. Advertisement "And it was the absolute worst feeling knowing that I'm in this container, this close to people and they have no idea that I'm here." 4 Kara took note of her surroundings, hoping she'd escape and catch Robert Credit: Instagram HOUSE OF HORRORS Once inside with the door locked, Robert lifted the lid of the container and untied Kara before taking her to his bedroom which was filled with S&M equipment and paraphernalia. On the way, Kara did everything she could to memorise every detail of what she saw, from the magnets on his fridge to the caged animals he owned. Advertisement Kara even disarmed him by offering to clean his flat, but it didn't work. Instead, he ordered her to remove her clothes and to take a shower, then he sexually assaulted her. With a gun next to the bedside table, Kara had no choice but to do what he said. Robert often asked Kara why she was so calm and didn't seem upset, he even promised to let her go. Advertisement What Kara didn't know at the time was that Robert had already abducted three other girls, and killed them. As the hours passed, Kara was allowed in the bathroom and she noticed items a woman would use in there. She studied each one, realising the hairbrush was filled with red hairs that weren't from Robert, but his wife's, who was on holiday at the time. When she would call, Kara was under strict instructions to get back into the container and not say a word. Advertisement "He put me in the container again and gagged me and tied me and put the lid on. I was in there for at least 30 minutes," she said. "I began frantically sobbing at one point because I couldn't breathe. He came in there and was very angry and asked me, 'What is the problem? Why are you sobbing? I told you you can't make noise.' 'I told him it's because I couldn't breathe. So at that point, he took the gag out of my mouth and he left the top off. And he said, 'I'm going to do this, but you can't scream.' And so he went back and continued his phone conversation. 'And I didn't make a noise. And I just stayed there." Advertisement After the phone call, he made Kara take Valium and cannabis with him before tying her to the bed by her legs and arms. He fell asleep beside her. THE ESCAPE Miraculously, Kara woke up before him in the morning and she thought: "This is it. This is the only chance you're going to get." Kara worked carefully to free her wrists using her teeth to cut the ties and then was able to get her ankles free as well, all while Robert slept beside her in the same bed. She moved to the living room, where she was able to put her clothes back on and grab her bag before unbolting the two locks on the front door and running. Advertisement 'I know he has the gun right beside him, and he's going to see me running, and he's going to shoot me in the back — that's all I could think,' she told People. 'And I was like, 'You know what? It doesn't matter because I'm out, and at least someone will be able to find him.'" As she rushed out of the block of flats, she saw a white car and flagged them down. " I had handcuffs dangling from one hand and I had a leg restraint on one of my legs. I jumped out in front of the car and there were two men in it," she recalled. Advertisement "They were bewildered. They looked at me like, 'What is going on? And I said, 'I was just kidnapped. I was raped. Take me to the police station.'" Kara's mum was called and told her daughter had been found, 18 hours after the kidnapping, and quickly went to collect her. But Kara's determination to live and find Robert meant she was able to take the police back to the apartment block and find him. While there, they came across a maintenance worker for the block of flats, and she described what she saw inside, such as a woman with red hair and lots of animals. Advertisement He knew exactly which flat Kara was talking about. By the time police got there, Robert had fled, but he was caught three days later at a roadblock. Instead of being arrested, a car chase ensued and Robert decided to evade justice by killing himself with a gunshot to the head. At first, Kara was angry he wouldn't face the justice system, but after a few days realised it was better than having to re-live through what happened to her. Advertisement As police searched his apartment, they realised Kara was not the first victim. Who are the UK's worst serial killers? THE UK's most prolific serial killer was actually a doctor. Here's a rundown of the worst offenders in the UK. British GP Harold Shipman is one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history. He was found guilty of murdering 15 patients in 2000, but the Shipman Inquiry examined his crimes and identified 218 victims, 80 per cent of whom were elderly women. After his death Jonathan Balls was accused of poisoning at least 22 people between 1824 and 1845. Mary Ann Cotton is suspected of murdering up to 21 people, including husbands, lovers and children. She is Britain's most prolific female serial killer. Her crimes were committed between 1852 and 1872, and she was hanged in March 1873. Amelia Sach and Annie Walters became known as the Finchley Baby Farmers after killing at least 20 babies between 1900 and 1902. The pair became the first women to be hanged at Holloway Prison on February 3, 1903. William Burke and William Hare killed 16 people and sold their bodies. Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe was found guilty in 1981 of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven others between 1975 and 1980. Dennis Nilsen was caged for life in 1983 after murdering up to 15 men when he picked them up from the streets. He was found guilty of six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to life in jail. Fred West was found guilty of killing 12 but it's believed he was responsible for many more deaths. SERIAL KILLER Robert had killed three other girls; Sofia Silva and sisters Kati and Kristin Lisk. The girls, who ranged in age from 12 to 16, all went missing in the mid-1990s. Richard kept newspaper clippings about their abductions in a locker in his apartment, and authorities later found both fingerprint and DNA evidence connecting him to the crimes. Advertisement There was already a reward for anyone who could find information leading to the capture or the identification of who killed these girls. Because of Kara's information that led to their killers' identity, she was awarded the £112,000 which she used to put herself through university. LIFE NOW Kara went on to become a sheriff in the police force after completing her studies, where she also met her husband, Joe Chamberlain. She has since left the force and became a public speaker as she raises her three children. Advertisement It's what made me who I am. And it led me to where I am today. Kara Robinson-Chamberlain Kara is also active on TikTok and Instagram, and hosts a podcast, Survivor's Guide to True Crime, with Kimberly Corban, who survived a sexual assault in 2006, per her website. 'I always knew that what happened to me was something that happened so that I could help other people,' Kara told People. 'I knew that if I wanted to help people, I needed to tell my story in a way that I was proud of.' "Being kidnapped is a horrible thing, but it's something that happened to me," Kara adds. Advertisement "It's what made me who I am. And it led me to where I am today. I survived because I was able to keep a calm demeanor."
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Desperate to keep kids off screens? They won't be able to put these books down
It's a summer day and it's too hot to play outside. Your child is glued to a screen, content to spend their day with air-conditioning and digital media. Sound familiar? It's the time of year when many parents are waging a war against technology – while it's fun to have an inside lazy day now and then, these can add up quickly without school. And with fall on the horizon, the summer slide is a looming threat to school-aged children. This phenomenon happens when kids lose some of the learning they achieved in the past school year. While studies are mixed on the impact and prevalence of summer learning loss, literacy rates for children are now at an all-time low. Forty percent of fourth graders have 'below basic' reading skills. Treating summer reading like homework is a good way to deflate any joy in reading, which is already declining among students. Even among adults, the temptation to scroll often overtakes the desire to read. Here are five tips to try with your household this summer, plus reading suggestions for books that'll keep kids engaged. Kids take cues from their parents. If you show them how important and fun reading is in your life, they'll likely model that behavior. Parents can start by making reading a topic of conversation. Share what you're reading and let them tell you about their books. Make reading together a family challenge this summer, says Lauren Tarshis, author of bestselling kids' series 'I Survived' and Scholastic's senior VP and editor at large. ''We're all going to put down our phones from this time to this time and we're going to read,'' she suggests saying. ''Let's go to the library together. Here's an independent bookstore, let's go there. Let's make that an excursion.'' Reading tips for adults: Squeeze books into your busy life It's important to find a book that'll make your kid excited to pick up another, so look for one that taps into their hobbies or latest obsessions. Bookelicious, an online site for kids' reading, was founded by Lea Anne Borders to connect kids with books that match their unique interests. On Bookelicious, young readers design an avatar 'bookmoji' with costumes, pets and accessories. These customizations help Bookelicious match them with books they might enjoy: It can recommend one about sports for a kid who dresses their bookmoji in a jersey. 'Motivation and engagement are fueled by the access to high-interest, personally relevant books and ability to exercise some choice around those,' Borders says. 'We're trying to serve up those books that are really, really interesting and fun and exciting to kids and then help them make their own choices, because that means they're more likely to read their books.' Every kid is different. Audiobooks, graphic novels or even digital reading may be the best form of reading for your child. Audiobooks and e-reading are on the rise in schools and public libraries around the country, according to Steve Potash, the CEO of digital library distributor OverDrive. Here are the top e-books that kept kids engaged, according to Libby and OverDrive data shared with USA TODAY: 'The Lightning Thief' by Rick Riordan 'The Lost Hero' by Rick Riordan 'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery 'Hot Mess' by Jeff Kinney 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott 'Unraveled' by Shannon Messenger 'The Last Olympian' by Rick Riordan 'Escaping Peril' by Tui T. Sutherland 'The Battle of the Labyrinth' by Rick Riordan 'The Deep End' by Jeff Kinney The top book series, based on minutes spent reading: 'Harry Potter' by J.K. Rowling 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' by Rick Riordan 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' by Jeff Kinney 'Wings of Fire' by Tui T. Sutherland 'Heroes of Olympus' by Rick Riordan 'The Boxcar Children' by Gertrude Chandler Warner 'Trials of Apollo' by Rick Riordan 'Spy School' by Stuart Gibbs 'Ranger's Apprentice' by John Flanagan 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis Summer reading challenges, whether at your local library, online or homemade, can be a great way to keep reading exciting. Here are some we recommend: Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Challenge: Fill our journal, get a free book in July and August Books a Million Summer Reading Adventure: Fill out logbook, get a free Dog Man prize Scholastic Summer Reading Badges: Color in badges after completing reading goals Bookelicious Summer Reading Challenge Checklist: Complete 10 activities, receive $25 You can gamify summer reading on your own, too, like a reward of screen time for every finished book or number of pages, a new book at the bookstore or a trip to a local ice cream shop. Not every kid loves reading, and that's OK, says Tarshis. The author of dozens of children's books, Tarshis started writing 'I Survived' because she couldn't get her son to read. Tarshis had her own 'significant' challenges reading as a kid. Learning disabilities can also pose a challenge. There are more ways to get kids reading this summer than just handing them a book. Even magazine reading or online research is a good way to get kids using their brains. Going to an amusement park this summer? Tarshis suggests assigning them to read reviews: "What are the three best roller coasters? What do we have to bring?' she offers. 'Do not use ChatGPT; I'll know if you did.' Going on a trip? Have your kid learn about the local wildlife or historical sites. Do you have a movie-buff family? Read up on the Vikings when you watch 'How to Train Your Dragon' or aliens before seeing 'Elio.' If your family is brave enough for a 'Jaws' 50th anniversary rewatch, have your kids read about sharks. Reading may be a solitary activity, but it's best when done in community. Join a silent book club, start a parent-child book club with neighbors or move your playdate to the library on a rainy day. Reading together can help build excitement, gather new recommendations and help your family feel part of something bigger. What is the 'best' children's book?: Kids, parents, authors on what makes a classic Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avoid the 'summer slide': Get your kid to read with these tips
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Desperate to keep kids off screens? They won't be able to put these books down
It's a summer day and it's too hot to play outside. Your child is glued to a screen, content to spend their day with air-conditioning and digital media. Sound familiar? It's the time of year when many parents are waging a war against technology – while it's fun to have an inside lazy day now and then, these can add up quickly without school. And with fall on the horizon, the summer slide is a looming threat to school-aged children. This phenomenon happens when kids lose some of the learning they achieved in the past school year. While studies are mixed on the impact and prevalence of summer learning loss, literacy rates for children are now at an all-time low. Forty percent of fourth graders have 'below basic' reading skills. How to get your kids to read this summer Treating summer reading like homework is a good way to deflate any joy in reading, which is already declining among students. Even among adults, the temptation to scroll often overtakes the desire to read. Here are five tips to try with your household this summer, plus reading suggestions for books that'll keep kids engaged. 1. Make it a family activity Kids take cues from their parents. If you show them how important and fun reading is in your life, they'll likely model that behavior. Parents can start by making reading a topic of conversation. Share what you're reading and let them tell you about their books. Make reading together a family challenge this summer, says Lauren Tarshis, author of bestselling kids' series 'I Survived' and Scholastic's senior VP and editor at large. ''We're all going to put down our phones from this time to this time and we're going to read,'' she suggests saying. ''Let's go to the library together. Here's an independent bookstore, let's go there. Let's make that an excursion.'' Reading tips for adults: Squeeze books into your busy life 2. Find a book they'll love It's important to find a book that'll make your kid excited to pick up another, so look for one that taps into their hobbies or latest obsessions. Bookelicious, an online site for kids' reading, was founded by Lea Anne Borders to connect kids with books that match their unique interests. On Bookelicious, young readers design an avatar 'bookmoji' with costumes, pets and accessories. These customizations help Bookelicious match them with books they might enjoy: It can recommend one about sports for a kid who dresses their bookmoji in a jersey. 'Motivation and engagement are fueled by the access to high-interest, personally relevant books and ability to exercise some choice around those,' Borders says. 'We're trying to serve up those books that are really, really interesting and fun and exciting to kids and then help them make their own choices, because that means they're more likely to read their books.' Every kid is different. Audiobooks, graphic novels or even digital reading may be the best form of reading for your child. Audiobooks and e-reading are on the rise in schools and public libraries around the country, according to Steve Potash, the CEO of digital library distributor OverDrive. Here are the top e-books that kept kids engaged, according to Libby and OverDrive data shared with USA TODAY: The top book series, based on minutes spent reading: 3. Add an incentive or challenge Summer reading challenges, whether at your local library, online or homemade, can be a great way to keep reading exciting. Here are some we recommend: You can gamify summer reading on your own, too, like a reward of screen time for every finished book or number of pages, a new book at the bookstore or a trip to a local ice cream shop. 4. Tie it to a fun summer activity Not every kid loves reading, and that's OK, says Tarshis. The author of dozens of children's books, Tarshis started writing 'I Survived' because she couldn't get her son to read. Tarshis had her own 'significant' challenges reading as a kid. Learning disabilities can also pose a challenge. There are more ways to get kids reading this summer than just handing them a book. Even magazine reading or online research is a good way to get kids using their brains. Going to an amusement park this summer? Tarshis suggests assigning them to read reviews: "What are the three best roller coasters? What do we have to bring?' she offers. 'Do not use ChatGPT; I'll know if you did.' Going on a trip? Have your kid learn about the local wildlife or historical sites. Do you have a movie-buff family? Read up on the Vikings when you watch 'How to Train Your Dragon' or aliens before seeing 'Elio.' If your family is brave enough for a 'Jaws' 50th anniversary rewatch, have your kids read about sharks. 5. Start a reading community or book club Reading may be a solitary activity, but it's best when done in community. Join a silent book club, start a parent-child book club with neighbors or move your playdate to the library on a rainy day. Reading together can help build excitement, gather new recommendations and help your family feel part of something bigger. What is the 'best' children's book?: Kids, parents, authors on what makes a classic Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
