Dawnette in hospital recovering after her courageous escape from Wilder
Wilder's briefcase was his torture kit. He carried a hunting knife with a serrated edge which he used to stab Dawnette,tape he used to gag and tie up his victims, a hairbrush which he used in one of his rituals, a pair of scissors, sunglasses, cash and his passport.
Dawnette Wilt held key to explosive FBI case against suspected serial killer helper Tina Risico
FBI agents raced against time in 1984 to secure crucial testimony from teenage survivor Dawnette Wilt that determined whether suspected accomplice Tina Risico faced federal charges in connection with notorious serial killer Christopher Wilder's deadly rampage.
Wilt, who miraculously escaped death after being stabbed by Wilder, provided explosive details during a bombshell April 12, 1984 interview at Penn Yan, New York that sent shockwaves through the investigation.
The brave teenager's harrowing account became the centerpiece of a high-stakes FBI probe into whether 16-year-old Risico should have been prosecuted for her alleged role in helping Wilder abduct other young victims during his cross-country killing spree.
IMMUNITY BATTLE ERUPTED
But the case hit a dramatic snag as Risico's legal team demanded complete immunity from federal and state prosecution before their client would cooperate. The stunning demand had FBI chiefs scrambling, with Miami agents pushing back against any immunity deal.
Bureau sources revealed that while Miami investigators wanted to pursue Risico aggressively, Indianapolis field agents believed Wilt's testimony was so damning that a federal grand jury subpoena may have been their only option to force the truth into the open.
RACE AGAINST TIME
Internal FBI memos showed agents were under intense pressure to "expeditiously resolve this matter" as the investigation reached a critical juncture. Los Angeles was ordered to immediately forward Risico's interview transcripts to Indianapolis to complete the explosive case file.
The bureau's receiving offices were warned that Miami was determined to uncover "all aspects" of the investigation, setting up a potential showdown over whether the U.S. Attorney's office in Indianapolis would have enough evidence to secure indictments.
For Dawnette Wilt, her survival story ultimately helped determine justice for other victims of Wilder's reign of terror.
Teen Survivor's Testimony Sealed Fate of Wilder Accomplice
