Kara Robinson Chamberlain, who was abducted by a serial killer at just 15, is on a quest for answers regarding a decades-old unsolved case. Chamberlain, now a host for “Someone Knows Something,” a true crime series from ABC News Studios and Freeform, aims to shed light on unresolved disappearances and murders. Each episode focuses on a cold case, in collaboration with victims’ loved ones, to generate renewed interest and hopefully gather helpful information.
Chamberlain, who survived her own harrowing experience, expressed her determination to advocate for families affected by crime, stating, “Getting families the information they need is vital. Many of these cases involve young people, and as a parent myself, it’s something I relate to deeply.” She hopes that her efforts will lead to answers for families, driving her personally as she recalls her past.
Her own traumatic story began in June 2002, when she was kidnapped from a friend’s home in South Carolina by Richard Ebonitz. Reflecting on that day, she remembers having a nagging feeling when she spotted him in the driveway but dismissed her instincts. “I should have trusted that feeling,” she remarked, hinting at how easily intuition can be ignored.
During her captivity, which lasted around 18 hours, she faced numerous assaults but relied on her instincts to survive. “I thought to myself, ‘Not today,’ and I focused on outfoxing him,” she recalled, demonstrating a remarkable resilience and determination even amid horror. After memorizing details of her surroundings, she was eventually able to escape and sound the alarm, leading police to Ebonitz, who ended his life as authorities closed in.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Chamberlain’s kidnapping opened a floodgate of questions regarding Ebonitz’s potential other victims. She strongly suspects he was involved in a number of unsolved cases. “It’s a mystery that looms large,” she said, reflecting on the unresolved nature of many abductions that affect families deeply.
Through her ongoing work, Chamberlain emphasizes that closure for families is often a fantasy. “It’s not about finding closure; it’s about knowing the truth, however uncomfortable that truth might be,” she shared. Chamberlain, now a resource officer and investigator, draws upon her experiences both as a victim and a professional advocating for others, eager to bring much-needed awareness to cold cases in hopes of finally uncovering the truths hidden in them.
