Early Life and Education
Eve Marie Carson was born on November 19, 1985, in Athens, Georgia, to Bob and Teresa Carson. She grew up alongside her brother, Andrew, in a close-knit family. From a young age, Eve displayed remarkable leadership and academic prowess. At Clarke Central High School, she served as class president and valedictorian. Her involvement extended beyond the classroom as vice president of the National Honor Society and a member of the school's Academic Team.
Eve’s commitment to service was evident early on. She volunteered at the Athens Area Attention Home, a safe house for abused and runaway teenagers, where she served as a peer educator. Her dedication to civic duty also led her to work as a page for the House of Representatives, where she assisted members with their legislative duties—a role that has existed for over 200 years.
In addition to her community involvement, Eve worked as a lab assistant at the University of Georgia’s stem-cell research lab, balancing her time between academics, service, and extracurricular activities.
College Years at UNC Chapel Hill
In 2004, after graduating high school, Eve chose to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, turning down scholarship offers from Yale and Princeton. Her decision to attend a public university reflected her commitment to making a difference in the world.
At UNC, Eve continued to excel. She majored in political science and biology and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic society in the United States. This achievement helped her earn the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, the first academic scholarship established in the U.S., created in 1951.
Eve’s college experience mirrored her high school years in many ways. She was selected as a North Carolina Fellow, a four-year leadership program, and served as co-president of the Honors Program Student Executive Board. Her passion for service led her to co-chair Nourish International, a program aimed at fighting hunger worldwide. Once again, she was elected class president, this time with 55% of the vote.
Her involvement didn’t stop there. Eve was a member of numerous committees, including the Committee on Scholarships, the Academic Advising Program, the Chancellor’s Committee for Teaching Awards, and UNC Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees. She also served as a freshman orientation counselor and was an assistant coach for the Girls on the Run program, a national organization that helps young girls develop life skills.
Eve’s dedication to education extended beyond the borders of Chapel Hill. She studied with the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming and spent a summer volunteering as a medical assistant in Ecuador. In 2006, she studied abroad in Havana, Cuba, and later volunteered at the U.S. Medical Naval Unit in Egypt.
In 2007, Eve founded the Distinguished Speakers of Student Government, a student-selected and student-run lecture series. Today, it continues as The Eve Marie Carson Lecture Series, featuring prominent speakers like John Grisham.
Eve was passionate about continuing her education. Although she hadn’t decided between public health, policy, or law school, her future was undoubtedly bright. Her peers remember her as a natural leader who brought people together, a genuinely kind person, and someone who was always enthusiastic about life.
The Tragic Night
On March 4, 2008, Eve Carson’s life was tragically cut short. She was 22 years old. While walking to her car near her apartment, she was kidnapped by two men, Laurence Lovette and Demario Atwater. The men forced Eve into her vehicle and drove to multiple ATMs, where they withdrew $700 from her account. Despite her pleas for mercy, the men decided to kill her because she had seen their faces.
They drove Eve to a secluded wooded area where she was shot five times—four times with a handgun and once with a shotgun. The final shot, which was fatal, was delivered as she prayed with her captors, knowing her life was about to end.
Her body was discovered the next day, but it took 21 hours to identify her. Her roommate reported her missing, and she was ultimately the one to identify Eve’s body.
The Investigation and Trials
Demario Atwater, then 21, was arrested first on March 12, 2008, followed by Laurence Lovette, 17, on March 13, 2008. Both men had extensive criminal histories, and the evidence against them was overwhelming. DNA from both men was found in Eve’s SUV, and her iPod was discovered in Laurence’s car.
Atwater faced both state and federal charges. In April 2010, he took a plea deal, pleading guilty to carjacking, kidnapping, and weapons possession, and was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. He later pleaded guilty to additional charges, including murder, in a state court, receiving a sentence of life without parole plus 23-29 years.
Laurence Lovette, who was under 18 at the time of the murder, did not face the death penalty. He was found guilty in 2011 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Honoring Eve’s Legacy
Eve Carson’s life and legacy continue to be honored in many ways. UNC created a memorial garden in her honor, featuring a seating area and a marble piece inscribed with one of her quotes: "Learn from every single being, experience, and moment. What joy it is to search for lessons and goodness and enthusiasm in others." A blue butterfly bench, donated anonymously, was later added to the garden.
Two scholarships have been established in Eve’s honor: The Eve Carson Scholarship, awarded to students in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, and The Eve Marie Carson Carolina Way Scholarship, given to UNC juniors who have demonstrated transformative growth and leadership.
Each year, a 5K run is held in Eve’s honor, keeping her memory alive and celebrating her life.
Eve Carson would have turned 38 in November of last year. Her spirit of adventure, leadership, and compassion lives on in the countless lives she touched and the legacy she left behind.
As we reflect on her life, let us remember Eve’s words: “Sharing and provoking and exploring – that’s adventure to me. Adventure is finding community even in unlikely circumstances.”