EPISODE FOUR:
DON'T GET IN THE CAR
Inside the Mind of a Monster
The fourth episode of "Catching Evil" delves into the twisted world of Christopher Wilder, one of history's most notorious serial killers. Our expert panel features Dr. Eric Hickey, Dr. Nelson Andreu, and crime writer Michael Robotham—each offering unique insights into Wilder's dark psyche.
Dr. Eric Hickey, a renowned forensic psychologist who consults for the FBI, US military and numerous law enforcement agencies, provides a chilling look into Wilder's manipulative nature. Hickey explains that Wilder was a true psychopath, living a double life fueled by power and control. His charm and charisma masked a deep-seated need to dominate and degrade his victims.
" Don't get in a car with anyone, no matter what they promise. He pulls out a gun and points it at you. You don't get in the car. Never get in the car. If you get in the car, you're dead."
Dr. Nelson Andreu, a former Miami homicide detective and Chief of Police for West Miami, reveals how Wilder meticulously selected his victims—pretty young women, models, and beauty queens. Wilder’s tactics, from posing as a photographer to using his race car driver persona, were designed to lure women into his trap, exploiting their dreams of fame and success. Andreu highlights Wilder's ability to project sophistication and allure, making him a master manipulator.
"Those first murders left him with a thrill that he could never, ever let go. He may relive his actions over and over in his mind, thus receiving again that gratification obtained during the actual murder,"
Michael Robotham, a best-selling crime author, encountered Wilder as a young journalist. He recalls Wilder's unnerving confidence in court, a chilling reminder of his belief in his own invincibility. Robotham’s experience highlights Wilder's skill in deceiving and manipulating those around him, maintaining an air of quiet confidence despite the serious charges he faced.
"Strangling someone and watching them die, that's what he was getting his kicks out of. I mean, the actual killing is what excited him ."
The experts also discuss Wilder's troubled childhood, which included trauma and early deviant behaviours such as being a peeping Tom. These elements, they suggest, were critical in shaping his sadistic tendencies and escalating his criminal activities.
This episode explores how Wilder’s early traumas and manipulative charm combined to create a dangerous predator, offering a stark reminder of the hidden monsters behind seemingly charming facades
In this striking image, Christopher Wilder stands shirtless outside his Boynton Beach, Florida home, exuding the confidence of a successful businessman who funded his own motor racing team. Known for his sleek black Porsche on the track, Wilder also drove a white one privately, embodying the allure of speed and success.
In the middle photograph, Wilder raises a drink to a fellow competitor at the prestigious Daytona racetrack. Just weeks later, he would embark on a chilling killing spree across America, sparking the largest manhunt in US history. The FBI distributed his Wanted poster nationwide, marking him as one of the most dangerous men in the country.
These images capture the charismatic facade of a man whose dark secrets would soon be revealed, leaving a trail of terror in his wake.
Dr. Eric Hickey is one of the leading forensic psychologists in the world.
His book, Serial Murderers and their Victims is used as a teaching tool in universities and by law enforcement.
An expert in offender psychology, victim-offender relationships and serial crimes, in the book he examines the lives of over 400 serial murderers, including Christopher Wilder, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. He describes the biological, psychological, and sociological triggers for serial murder as well as advice on how to interview serial killers.
He served as a consultant to the UNABOMBER Task Force, is in demand to testify as an expert witness in both criminal and civil cases, and is currently the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology.
Dr Nelson Andreu, the former Chief of Police for West Miami, is renowned for his expertise in criminal investigations, particularly in profiling serial killers.
As a young homicide detective, he was part of the investigation into Christopher Wilder for the murder of Rosario Gonzalez, marking the beginning of his distinguished career in tackling complex cases.
Dr. Andreu contributed to six serial killer cases, earning him recognition as a leading authority in the field.
He has also become a sought-after expert, sharing insights on serial offenders' psychological profiles and patterns.
His work has not only aided in solving high-profile cases but also in educating law enforcement agencies on effective investigative techniques. He is also an Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor at several Universities, including Florida International.
Best-selling crime author Michael Robotham has sold millions of books worldwide and is best known for his gripping psychological thrillers, including the acclaimed Joe O'Loughlin series.
His career took an unexpected turn in 1981, when as a young court reporter, he found himself captivated by the presence of Christopher Wilder in a Sydney courtroom. This encounter left a lasting impression on Robotham, influencing his future work as an author.
This encounter inspired Robotham's creation of a villain in his book "Bleed for Me." He crafted a character who, like Wilder, was handsome, charismatic, and utterly believable—someone who could live unnoticed within a community, harbouring dark secrets. A criminal psychologist once explained to him that Wilder was a rare "successful psychopath," capable of displaying empathy and maintaining social relationships while indulging in his darker fantasies
5 TAKEAWAYS FROM EPISODE FOUR
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Victim Selection: Christopher Wilder was known for his meticulous targeting of young, attractive women, particularly models and beauty queens. He exploited his persona as a race car driver and photographer to gain their trust, offering them dreams of fame and success. This calculated approach allowed him to lure victims into dangerous situations, showcasing his cunning and predatory nature.
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Psychopathic Traits: Wilder exhibited classic traits of a psychopath, including manipulation, a lack of empathy, and a compulsive need for control and domination over his victims. These traits enabled him to charm and deceive people around him, hiding his dark intentions beneath a veneer of charisma and sophistication.
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Early Warning Signs: Wilder's troubled childhood was marked by early deviant behaviours, such as being a peeping Tom, which hinted at his future as a serial killer. These behaviours are often seen as red flags, indicating a potential escalation into more serious criminal activities. Understanding these signs is crucial in identifying and intervening with potential offenders.
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Unnerving Confidence: Despite facing serious charges, Wilder maintained an air of confidence that was both unsettling and revealing of his manipulative abilities. His demeanour in court and interactions with others demonstrated his belief in his own invincibility, allowing him to continue his criminal activities without suspicion.
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Trauma Influence: Childhood trauma played a significant role in shaping Wilder's sadistic tendencies and criminal behavior. These early experiences contributed to his development into a violent predator, highlighting the importance of addressing trauma to prevent future violence. His story underscores the complex interplay between past trauma and the emergence of dangerous behaviours.
Q: Did Wilder have a traumatic childhood?
A: Yes. Wilder almost died at birth and again in a swimming pool when he was a toddler. He was a lonely boy who, because of his father's constant postings with the US navy, never settled in any school for long and made very few friends. He told his therapist he hated his hard-drinking 'redneck' father and had been secretly watching his mother undress since before he was a teenager.
From a cowboy sheriff to a serial killer
In 1977 Wilder was court-ordered to be examined by a psychiatrist and then a psychologist in preparation for a court case in which he’d been accused of sexual battery and orally raping a sixteen-year-old girl. The girl was the daughter of a couple Wilder had been working for, building them a staircase in their Boca Raton home.
Here are the two reports, compiled just 24 hours apart, which come to very different conclusions.
Psychiatrist Dr Edward Adelson interviewed Wilder on New Year’s Day 1977.
He reported:
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. However, he adds, that he cannot understand why he did not restrain himself at the time and why he could not control his impulses to act as he did.
The defendant states that he knew he had committed an offence, realised he was ‘in trouble’ and wanted to get it over with.
He thinks of himself as generous and allows himself to be taken advantage of because of it. Defendant again reiterates his eagerness for treatment in view of this offense and wants to understand the basis for his recent behaviour, acknowledging he must have a ‘problem’.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Defendant does not appear to be a mentally disordered sex
offender. He is not insane and does not have a mental disorder.
He has some underlying tension and anxiety and admits to having committed an offence of sexual battery.
In my professional opinion, he is not dangerous to others because of a propensity for sex offences and therefore does not satisfy the criteria of a Mentally Disordered Sex Offender as defined in Fla. Statute 917.13
Psychologist Dr Geraldine Boozer. interviewed Wilder for three hours. He broke down crying at one stage, but Dr Boozer quickly deduced Wilder was a liar:
She reported:
As an interview informant, he was not altogether reliable; he
would offer statements and then retract them, and at times
he contradicted himself. He followed directions rapidly and
readily and appears to be of average or better intelligence.
Overtly he was at ease.
Father was the boss and the disciplinarian. Defendant was
closer to the mother who was warm, too easy and gave them
whatever they wanted.
He has fantasised rape, with masturbation, to climax, for the
past couple of years.
In free situations and when left to his own resources he is
also self-assertive, at times passive and at other times aggressive.
His reality ties are virtually non-existent and at best tenuous.
He shows defective judgement and weak reality testing but has
some hold on reality at present. He is tense, fearful, and apt to
experience emotional upheavals which result in complete loss
of intellectual controls.
At such times he may behave in a manner detrimental to the
safety of himself or others.
Special problem areas are those concerning his heterosexual
role in this society, and his ability to assume the responsibili-
ties of a dominant, male adult. He has also problems concern-
ing male authority figures, and his ability to identify with that
figure . . . he is angry when ‘pushed and frustrated’ and he
is ‘ashamed of himself’ and yet is ambivalent as he also says
he likes himself and would not want to be someone else.
He recognizes that he does ‘not love others’ and is hostile towards controlling persons.
Defendant does not appear to be brain damaged nor mentally
retarded. He does appear to be legally competent, at this time.
He is presently sane for purposes of trial. He is also a mentally
disordered sex offender as per Florida Statutes. He experiences
episodes of extreme emotional upheaval, he is basically psychotic
and in need of treatment. When left to his own resources, and
under stress, he disintegrates, i.e. regresses.
He presents a facade, in an interview, that covers his underlying psychotic orientation. At this time, he is not safe except in a structured environment and should be in a resident program, geared to his needs.
Wilder at his favourite nightclub, a popular hang out for young models in Palm Beach, Florida
Book extract courtesy of Penguin Random House
Wilder had broken down when he was interviewed by Dr Boozer, sobbing uncontrollably as he explained why he had raped the girl.
‘I was feeling down in the dumps. I saw her and something came over me. I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway.’
At the time of the offence Wilder had told his attorney, Nelson Bailey, who owned property near his own in Loxahatchee, to keep him from going to prison at all costs.
‘I don’t want to go to jail, I’m terrified of jail. I will plead guilty and get therapy, anything they want,’ he told the lawyer.
Wilder pleaded not guilty and a jury, unaware of the two reports, deliberated for less than one hour before acquitting him of all charges. Wilder had exuded a relaxed confidence in the courtroom, dressed in a tailored suit and silk tie, with a gold Rolex visible on his wrist and a friendly smile on his face.
HAPPY SNAPS FROM THE FAMILY ALBUM OF A SERIAL KILLER
Christopher Wilder's life was marked by turmoil and upheaval from a young age. Born to a US war veteran, Coley Chapman Wilder, who had survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Wilder's early years were a blur of constant moves and uncertainty. His parents, Coley and June, met and married in Sydney, Australia, in 1944, and Wilder was born just a year later, a premature baby who wasn't expected to survive.
But survive he did, despite two more near-death experiences as a child. He almost drowned at 14 months old and spent six days in a coma at the age of five. The family's nomadic lifestyle, driven by Coley's naval career, meant they moved every few years, never staying in one place long enough to settle or make lasting friendships.
As a child, Wilder struggled to adapt to his new surroundings, and his relationships with his brothers were strained. He was a quiet, odd, and broody teenager who found it impossible to make friends in Australia, where his family eventually settled when he was 14 years old. The "service brat" lifestyle had left him well behind in his studies, and he often got into trouble in and out of the classroom.
But it was his relationship with his parents that had the most profound impact on Wilder's life. His father, Coley, was a hard, cold man, a heavy drinker with a "southern red-neck mentality" that Wilder despised. The pair had a fractious relationship, with Wilder bearing the brunt of his father's disciplinary beatings throughout his childhood. As a teenager, Wilder's resentment towards his father grew, and he began to feel increasingly isolated and alone.
Wilder's relationship with his mother, June, was equally complex and disturbing. When the family was living in the US, warning signs about Wilder's sexual perversions began to emerge. At just nine years old, he had tried to "do something" to a girl, a chilling precursor to the crimes he would later commit. Later, when they were living in Las Vegas, Wilder began peeping at his mother when she got undressed, a behavior that would later be revealed to therapists as the starting point for his obsession with big breasts. In a bizarre and disturbing twist, Wilder would also masturbate while wearing his mother's clothes, a behaviour that speaks to a deeply troubled and conflicted individual.
Years later, when Wilder went on the run in 1984, the FBI would interview his parents in Australia, seeking to understand the motivations behind his crimes. The Special Agent's written report (parts of it below) provides a unique insight into the Wilder family dynamics.
It offers a firsthand account of the FBI's investigation into Wilder's background and the statements made by his parents.
These documents, never before made public, shed new light on the complex and troubled relationship between Wilder and his family and provide a chilling glimpse into the mind of a serial killer.
This chilling photograph captures serial killer Christopher Wilder doing what he did best—hiding in plain sight while hunting his next victim. Taken at a Miami beach beauty pageant, it shows Wilder (circled) using his signature tactic: posing as a fashion photographer to gain access to his preferred targets.
Wilder exclusively preyed on beautiful young women—beauty contestants, models, and aspiring actresses who dreamed of careers in the industry. Armed with a camera and stolen business cards, he would approach his victims with promises of professional photo shoots and modeling opportunities. His legitimate involvement in the racing world and polished appearance made him utterly convincing.
What makes this image so disturbing is that it captures the predator in his element, surrounded by potential victims who had no idea of the danger lurking among them.