DeepSummary
In this bonus episode, the podcast explores Christopher Wilder's history of targeting and manipulating women before his 1984 killing spree where he abducted Tina Risico. Several women share their experiences of being lured by Wilder with the promise of modeling careers, only for him to push boundaries, make sexual demands, and attempt to control them.
Journalist Duncan McNabb, who investigated Wilder's criminal history, reveals how Wilder managed to evade serious consequences for his crimes over three decades in Australia and the United States, despite victims coming forward. Authorities failed to grasp Wilder's danger, missing opportunities to stop him before his killing spree.
The episode features accounts from Norrie, Dawn, and Maria, who were pursued by Wilder in 1982 and 1983 when he pretended to be a professional photographer and talent agent. They recount how Wilder's behavior became increasingly aggressive, controlling, and sexually inappropriate, though they were able to escape him physically unharmed.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Christopher Wilder had a long history of preying on women, particularly targeting those with dreams of modeling careers, before his infamous 1984 killing spree.
- Wilder employed manipulation tactics like flattery, deception, and playing on his victims' ambitions to gain their trust and control them.
- Despite victims coming forward, law enforcement repeatedly failed to recognize the severity of Wilder's crimes, allowing him to evade serious consequences for decades.
- Wilder escalated his tactics over time, becoming more aggressive, controlling, and sexually abusive towards his victims.
- Accounts from Wilder's earlier victims reveal chilling details about his modus operandi and foreshadow the horrors of his later killing spree.
- The episodes highlights the systemic failures that enabled serial predators like Wilder to continue offending for years before being stopped.
- While some women like Norrie, Dawn, and Maria were able to escape Wilder, his crimes escalated to murder with the abduction of Tina Risico in 1984.
- The full extent of Wilder's crimes may never be known, as many of his victims did not survive to share their stories.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I literally thought it was my fault the whole time. I wanted this. I wanted to be a model. Is this what you have to do? Right? I didn't want to tell anybody what.“ by Dawn
- “There were so many times in Wilder's career that he could have been stopped, but it didn't happen. That's the great sadness of this.“ by Duncan McNabb
- “He made me lay my head down on the seat so I couldn't see where we were going. And he made me promise him I couldn't see, see out of the blindfold.“ by Maria
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Episode Information
20/20
ABC News
6/11/24