35 Facts About Christopher Wilder

Early Life and Background

Christopher Wilder, known as the "Beauty Queen Killer," had a troubled start that foreshadowed his future crimes.

1. Birth and Early Life: Christopher Bernard Wilder was born on March 13, 1945, in Sydney, Australia. His father was an American naval officer, and his mother was Australian.

2. Early Crimes: At 17, Wilder participated in the gang rape of a girl on a Sydney beach. He pleaded guilty but received only a year's probation and mandatory counseling.

3. Electroshock Therapy: During his counseling, Wilder underwent electroshock therapy, which had little to no effect on curbing his violent tendencies. It may have even inspired some of his later methods of torture.

4. Marriage and Infidelity: In 1968, Wilder married a woman who soon discovered photos of other women wearing her bikinis. The marriage barely lasted a week due to his infidelity and alleged attempts to kill her.

Move to the United States

Wilder's relocation to Florida marked the beginning of his more sophisticated and dangerous criminal activities.

5. Move to Florida: In 1969, Wilder moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, where he made a fortune in construction work and real estate. He purchased a Porsche, a speedboat, and a luxurious bachelor pad and began racing cars in his spare time.

6. Photography Hobby: Developing an interest in photography, Wilder bought several high-end cameras. This hobby would soon become key in luring beautiful women back to his home.

Early Criminal Activities in the U.S.

Wilder's early crimes in the United States showed a pattern of escalating violence and manipulation.

7. Arrests in South Florida: In 1971, Wilder was arrested at Pompano Beach for demanding that two young women pose nude for him. In 1974, he convinced a girl to come back to his house under the premise of a modeling job, only to drug and rape her. However, he never served prison time for these crimes.

8. Abduction in Australia: In 1982, while visiting his parents in Sydney, Wilder abducted two 15-year-old girls, forced them to get naked, and took pornographic photos of them. He was arrested and charged with kidnapping and sexual assault but managed to evade prosecution by returning to the United States.

9. Abduction in Florida: The following year, Wilder abducted two girls, aged ten and twelve, at gunpoint in Florida. He forced them to fellate him in a remote area but managed to evade arrest for this crime as well.

Nationwide Killing Spree

Wilder's most notorious crimes began in 1984, leading to a nationwide manhunt.

10. FBI Investigation: By the time Wilder began his nationwide killing spree in February 1984, the FBI was already investigating him for several rapes and murders in Florida, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada.

11. Nickname "The Beauty Queen Killer": Wilder earned the nickname "The Beauty Queen Killer" due to his targeting of aspiring models and beauty queens.

12. Victims' Profiles: His victims included Rosario Theresa Gonzalez, who went missing after a visit to the Miami Grand Prix racetrack, and Elizabeth Kenyon, a 23-year-old beauty queen who disappeared a week later. Both bodies were never recovered.

13. Modus Operandi: Wilder's method of operation involved approaching young women in shopping malls, offering them photo shoots or modeling opportunities, and then kidnapping them. He would often use his charm and good looks to lure them into his car.

The Case of Tina Risico

One of Wilder's most harrowing cases involved the kidnapping and torture of Tina Risico.

14. Kidnapping Tina Risico: On April 4, 1984, Wilder kidnapped 16-year-old Tina Marie Risico from a California mall. She was held captive for nine days and subjected to sexual assault and torture. Risico was forced to assist Wilder in abducting another teenage girl and bear witness to his heinous acts.

15. Risico's Ordeal: During her captivity, Risico was forced to strip naked, wear sunglasses and a hat, and was subjected to electric shocks and knife torture. She was also instructed to lure another girl to Wilder, which she reluctantly did.

16. Victim Luring: On her seventh day with Wilder, they traveled to Gary, Indiana, where Risico was forced to approach a girl he found attractive. She complied, telling the girl about a modeling show in the mall and then allowing Wilder to give her his modeling spiel. He then explained how they must get in the car and drive to his warehouse for more clothes.

17. Murder of Elizabeth Dodge: Before heading to the Canadian border, Wilder drove Risico 400 miles to Logan International Airport in Boston. He bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles and gave her $100 for a taxi. Meanwhile, in Victor, New York, Wilder and Risico spotted Elizabeth Dodge's gold Pontiac Firebird TransAm. Risico was forced to lure Dodge to the car where Wilder stole her keys and pushed her inside. They went to a gravel pit where Wilder shot her to death in the back.

Final Days and Capture

Wilder's reign of terror ended abruptly, but not without a dramatic final confrontation.

18. Victim Count: It is estimated that Wilder is responsible for the deaths of at least eight women, although some sources suggest the number could be higher. His victims included aspiring models and beauty queens who were lured by his charm and promises of modeling careers.

19. FBI Ten Most Wanted List: The FBI placed Wilder on its Ten Most Wanted list in March 1984, making him one of the most wanted fugitives in the country. The FBI described him as a "deeply disturbed walking time bomb" who posed a significant threat to public safety.

20. Final Confrontation: On April 13, 1984, Wilder was recognized by two state troopers at a gas station in Colebrook, New Hampshire. As they approached him, Wilder leaped into his car and grabbed a .357 magnum. One officer managed to restrain him, but in the struggle, two shots were fired. One shot passed through Wilder and into the officer restraining him, while the other went straight through Wilder’s chest, killing him.

21. Unclear Circumstances of Death: The exact circumstances of Wilder’s death are unclear. While some speculate that he may have intentionally fired the gun, others believe it was an accident. Regardless, his reign of terror was finally over.

Aftermath and Legacy

Wilder's death left many questions unanswered and a legacy of terror.

22. Brother's Reaction: Christopher Wilder’s brother Stephen said after news broke of his death, "I was happy he’d been stopped." However, Wilder’s death meant that none of his crimes would ever go to trial.

23. Unsolved Murders: It is believed that Wilder is responsible for several other unsolved murders, including Australia’s horrific 1965 Wanda Beach murders and the March 1984 murder of Colleen Osborn in Daytona Beach. However, Wilder took any knowledge about these other crimes to the grave with him.

24. Psychological Profile: Wilder’s psychological profile suggests a deeply disturbed individual with a history of sexual violence. His therapist described him as a "deeply disturbing walking time bomb" even before his killing spree began.

Lifestyle and Interests

Despite his violent tendencies, Wilder maintained a facade of normalcy through his hobbies and business ventures.

25. Construction Business: Wilder amassed a small fortune in the construction business in Palm Beach County, Florida. He owned six parcels of real estate worth nearly $400,000 and enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle.

26. Racing Career: Wilder was an avid race car driver who finished a respectable 17th in the Miami Grand Prix. He also owned a speedboat and enjoyed skiing vacations in chic Vail, Colorado.

27. Photography Skills: Wilder was an accomplished photographer who used his skills to lure victims into his trap. He would often take photos of his victims, which he would later use to blackmail them.

Victim Selection and Methods

Wilder's choice of victims and his methods of manipulation were chillingly calculated.

28. Victim Selection: Wilder targeted young women who were aspiring models or beauty queens. He would often approach them in shopping malls or at beauty pageants, using his charm and good looks to gain their trust.

29. Kidnapping Methods: Wilder’s method of kidnapping involved using his charm and good looks to lure victims into his car. He would often offer them photo shoots or modeling opportunities, which would lead them to trust him enough to get into his vehicle.

30. Torture Methods: Once in his control, Wilder would subject his victims to various forms of torture, including electric shocks, knife wounds, and psychological manipulation. He would often force his victims to participate in his crimes, making them accomplices to his heinous acts.

Evasion and Capture

Despite being a suspect in multiple crimes, Wilder managed to evade capture for a long time.

31. Escape Attempts: Despite being a suspect in several crimes, Wilder managed to evade arrest multiple times. He was known to be highly intelligent and resourceful, always staying one step ahead of the law.

32. FBI Investigation: The FBI launched a massive manhunt for Wilder, placing him on its Ten Most Wanted list. The investigation stretched from coast to coast, involving multiple states and law enforcement agencies.

Legal Charges and Victim Testimonies

Wilder's crimes led to numerous charges and heartbreaking testimonies from his victims.

33. Charges Against Him: Wilder was formally charged with the stabbing murder of Suzanne Logan, 20, who was abducted from an Oklahoma City shopping center. He was also charged in a brutal kidnapping case involving a Florida State University woman who was raped and tortured with electric shocks.

34. Victim Testimonies: Many of Wilder’s victims came forward to share their testimonies about their ordeal. Tina Risico, one of his longest-held captives, spoke out about her nine days of captivity and the trauma she experienced.

35. Legacy of Terror: Christopher Wilder left behind a legacy of terror and trauma. His crimes shocked the nation and highlighted the need for greater awareness and protection of young women. Despite his death, the impact of his actions continues to be felt by his victims and their families.

The End of a Nightmare

Christopher Wilder's reign of terror left a lasting scar on countless lives. Known as the "Beauty Queen Killer," he used charm and deceit to lure young women into horrific situations. His crimes spanned continents, from Australia to the United States, leaving a trail of pain and loss. Despite his affluent lifestyle and seemingly normal hobbies, Wilder harbored a dark, violent side that electroshock therapy and brief stints in counseling couldn't fix.

His death in 1984 brought an end to his brutal spree, but many questions remain unanswered. Wilder's story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking behind a friendly face. His ability to evade justice for so long highlights flaws in the system that allowed such a predator to roam free. Though he's gone, the impact of his actions continues to resonate, reminding us to stay vigilant and protect those vulnerable to such predators.