In a chilling revelation, the disturbing childhood of Christopher Wilder, a man linked to numerous murders, has been brought to light. At just nine years old, Wilder attempted to “do something” to a girl, a harrowing precursor to the crimes he would later commit. This unsettling behavior was uncovered by long-time journalists Andy Byrne and Mark Llewellyn, who have spent eight years investigating Wilder across two countries. Their findings suggest Wilder could be responsible for the infamous Wanda Beach murders of 15-year-old best friends Marianne Schmidt and Christine Sharrock in 1969, a case that has baffled police for over 60 years.
As Byrne and Llewellyn delve deeper into Wilder’s past, they uncover alarming signs that he was on a dangerous path from a very young age. “Wilder’s relationship with his mother, June, was complex and disturbing,” Byrne told news.com.au, ahead of the latest episode release of their hit podcast, Catching Evil. “When the family was living in the US, warning signs about Wilder’s sexual perversions began to emerge,” he added.
Childhood Shadows and Family Dynamics
Wilder’s troubling behavior caught the attention of the FBI in 1984 when they interviewed his parents in Australia to understand the motivations behind his crimes. A Special Agent’s report, previously undisclosed, sheds new light on the complex and troubled relationship between Wilder and his family.
In 1977, Wilder was court-ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation in preparation for a court case where he was accused of sexual battery and raping a 16-year-old girl. The evaluations by a psychiatrist and a psychologist, conducted just 24 hours apart, reached starkly different conclusions.
Psychiatrist Dr. Edward Adelson noted that Wilder was aware of his actions but struggled to control his impulses. “He thinks of himself as generous and allows himself to be taken advantage of because of it,” Dr. Adelson reported. Despite acknowledging a problem, Dr. Adelson concluded that Wilder was “not dangerous to others because of a propensity for sex offences.”
“The defendant states that he was fully aware of what he was doing and was conscious of his motives and actions at the time of the alleged offence.” — Dr. Edward Adelson
Conversely, psychologist Dr. Geraldine Boozer found Wilder to be unreliable and deceptive. She described him as a “mentally disordered sex offender” with a psychotic orientation, recommending that he be placed in a structured environment.
“He experiences episodes of extreme emotional upheaval, he is basically psychotic and in need of treatment.” — Dr. Geraldine Boozer
The Wanda Beach Connection
The podcast Catching Evil has revealed that Wilder’s Australian wife had urged police to consider him a suspect in the Wanda Beach murders. Christine Wilder, his then-wife, was present when Wilder admitted to raping a nurse and discovered photographs of women dressed in her bikinis in his car. Wilder lived in the same suburb as the victims and was a frequent visitor to their local shops and beaches.
Byrne explained that Wilder, an avid surfer, often visited Cronulla and Wanda Beaches, where the two girls were last seen. Marianne Schmidt’s brother Wolfgang described a “surfie” type matching Wilder’s description from that time.
“Wilder, then 19, could have easily done the same, or driven his Sprite sports car, purchased with his father’s help around that time.” — Andy Byrne
Wilder’s predatory patterns were already established, as he had previously lured a girl from Manly Beach, plied her with alcohol, and threatened her into sex. Christine Sharrock was found to have alcohol in her system, having disappeared earlier that day after speaking with Wilder at Cronulla.
The Predator’s Modus Operandi
A haunting photograph captures Wilder at a Miami beach beauty pageant, using his signature tactic of posing as a fashion photographer to prey on young women. Wilder targeted beauty contestants, models, and aspiring actresses, luring them with promises of professional photo shoots and modeling opportunities. His involvement in the racing world and polished appearance made him a convincing predator.
This image captures the predator in his element, surrounded by potential victims who had no idea of the danger lurking among them.
The podcast Catching Evil, available on Spotify and Apple, continues to explore Wilder’s dark past, with upcoming episodes featuring interviews with key figures from his life. Anyone with information about Wilder is encouraged to contact the researchers at [email protected].
As new evidence emerges, the investigation into the Wanda Beach murders takes on renewed urgency, offering hope for closure in a case that has haunted Australia for decades.
