EPISODE THREE:
THE COLLECTOR
Phionna was a stunning teenager when serial killer Christopher Wilder targeted her on her local beach. Read her story below and how, within seconds, the master manipulater had her completely under his control. She says she was powerless to resist him and followed his every command.
In this dramatic third episode of "Catching Evil," we deep dive into the twisted psyche of Christopher Wilder, a serial killer deeply influenced by John Fowles' novel The Collector. Wilder's fascination with control and power drove him to commit heinous crimes for two decades, beginning with the notorious Wanda Beach murders in Sydney, Australia.
Wilder's life was riddled with eerie coincidences. He married a woman named Christine, echoing the name of one of his first victims, and moved into an apartment overlooking the church where her memorial service was held. His marriage to Christine was fraught with terror—she endured his violent outbursts, narrowly survived suspicious car accidents, and was exposed to potentially lethal gas leaks, all suggesting Wilder's lethal intentions.
Beyond his marriage, Wilder manipulated and exploited young women by posing as a photographer. He preyed on their trust to take intimate photos, later using these to blackmail his victims. One courageous young nurse reported his coercion and assault, but the justice system of the time failed to hold him accountable. Despite confessing to his crimes, Wilder repeatedly evaded justice, leaving a trail of trauma and fear.
Christine's eventual allegations of murder against Wilder, supported by her mother and sister, highlighted his violent nature. Yet, even with substantial evidence, the system could not contain him. This episode exposes how Wilder's dark fantasies, fueled by The Collector, led to a reign of terror—and how his victims' voices continue to seek justice.
Join us to uncover the chilling depths of Wilder's depravity and the enduring impact on his victims.
“I said, all right, I’m going to teach you a lesson. I had the cords in my pocket and after a bit of a struggle I got them on her and then the gag, it was her own fault if they were tight, I got her on a short rope tied to the bed and then I went and fetched the camera and flash equipment.”
- The Collector by John Fowles
5 TAKEAWAYS FROM EPISODE 3
The car Wilder bought to go on the run and blend in. His business partner Zeke thought he'd bought it for the business but Wilder had other ideas.
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Obsession with The Collector: Christopher Wilder was deeply influenced by John Fowles' novel, which became a blueprint for his crimes. The book's themes of control and captivity resonated with Wilder, driving him to target young women in ways that mirrored the story's antagonist. His fixation on the novel highlights the dangerous impact of dark fantasies on his behaviour.
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Eerie Coincidences: Wilder's life was filled with unsettling parallels to his crimes. He married a woman named Christine, the same name as one of the Wanda Beach victims. Their apartment overlooked the church where her memorial service was held, suggesting a chilling connection to his past actions. These coincidences reveal a pattern of behaviour that seemed to blur the lines between his personal and criminal lives.
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Insight from Zeke: Our exclusive interview with Wilder's business partner, Zeke, sheds light on Wilder's extraordinary ability to lie and conceal his true nature. Zeke's insights reveal how Wilder manipulated those around him, maintaining a facade of normalcy while hiding his dark desires. This capacity for deception played a crucial role in his ability to evade capture for so long.
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Systemic Failures: Despite multiple confessions and overwhelming evidence of his guilt, Wilder continually escaped justice. The episode highlights the systemic flaws that allowed him to avoid conviction, emphasizing the need for a more robust legal framework to prevent such failures in the future. His case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of believing and protecting victims.
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Survivors’ Courage: The bravery of Wilder's victims and their families is a central theme of the episode. Despite the trauma they endured, they have continued to speak out, seeking justice and ensuring that their stories are heard. Their resilience serves as an inspiration and a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.
"The FBI put my wife and I through the wringer. It was crazy. Hellfire man they drove me all over hell’s half acre. I was questioned so many times it was ridiculous."
- Zeke Kimbrell, Wilder's business partner
Phionna's Story
At just 16 Phionna was a spirited tomboy living a carefree life on Sydney's northern beaches. With her beachy light brown hair and blue dress, she embodied confidence and respect, traits instilled by her parents.
One fateful morning though, her life took a dark turn when she encountered Christopher Wilder, who presented himself as a talent scout for a modelling agency. His polished appearance and American accent seemed charming, making her momentarily forget the warnings about strangers that her parents had taught her. Enticed by his offer of $100 to join him for a photo shoot, she saw it as an exciting opportunity rather than a dangerous trap.
" It was like you're hypnotized knowing you're in trouble, but you just did everything he said."
As they drove, Wilder's questions shifted from casual to deeply personal, probing into her family and her virginity. Alarm bells began to ring, but the psychological grip he had on her was tightening, leaving her feeling vulnerable and confused. The charming facade quickly morphed into a disturbing game of control, making her doubt her own instincts.
The situation escalated at a shopping mall, where she found herself trying on swimsuits, sobbing quietly in a changing room without the courage to ask for help. Wilder’s influence was all-consuming, and she felt compelled to obey his increasingly unsettling demands. When he instructed her to approach other girls at the beach, she complied, unwittingly assisting him in his predatory behaviour.
The turning point came when she witnessed another girl in a green bikini being manipulated into a compromising situation. As that girl returned in tears, the reality of Wilder's true nature struck her hard. Despite this realization, she felt abandoned when he left her behind, consumed by a mix of fear and confusion.
After the traumatic encounter, she finally reached out to her father but struggled to articulate her distress. Her mother’s fierce reaction led them straight to the police, where she learned just how close she had come to becoming one of Wilder's many victims.
Reflecting on her experience, she later recognized elements of Stockholm syndrome, revealing the psychological manipulation she endured. Her story sheds light on the vulnerabilities that predators exploit, and the chilling reality of how easily one can become ensnared in such a dangerous web.
"Without a doubt, 100%, he killed those girls on Wanda Beach. Without a doubt, he is the Wanda Beach killer."
As we explore her harrowing tale, we highlight the urgent need for open conversations about safety and trust, particularly among young people. Her experience serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind seemingly innocent encounters.
Join us in this episode as we uncover more layers of this unsettling story and examine the broader societal implications of predatory behavior, emphasizing the importance of awareness and vigilance in protecting ourselves and each other.
In 1963, when Wilder was seventeen, The Collector by John Fowles was published, the novel that would become Wilder’s obsession. The main character, Frederick Clegg, a clerk with relatives in Australia, is afflicted by extreme sexual insecurity. Clegg kidnaps a young woman and tries to make her his friend and sex slave,using his camera as an instrument of extortion. Two years after the book, the movie based on it was released and Wilder’s infatuation extended to the actress Samantha Eggar, who played Clegg’s victim Miranda and won an Academy Award nomination for her role. Many of Wilder’s victims would bear more than a passing resemblance to this strikingly beautiful brunette.
He’s a collector. That’s the great dead thing in him.
— John Fowles, The Collector
This mugshot of Wilder was taken just days after Phionna's lucky escape from her encounter with him at Manly Beach, north of Sydney.
The very next day, Wilder returned to the same area and lured away two 15-year-old schoolgirls, taking them back to his hotel room in the city where he sexually assaulted them.
He was caught quickly because the boyfriend of one of the girls saw Wilder driving away with them and immediately reported the car's registration number to the police.
When detectives arrested him, they questioned him under caution. This excerpt is from the official transcript of their conversation:
'The girls allege you masturbated in front of them, is that right?'*
'Yes, I'm sorry,' Wilder replied.
'They say you made them kiss you, is that right?'
'Yes.'
*'I've been told you took a series of photos with this camera of the girls in different positions here in the room. Is that right?'*
'Yes.'
A month later, in late January 1983, Wilder appeared at his committal hearing facing charges of enticing minors for unlawful purposes and indecent assault.
Remarkably, throughout his time in custody, detectives never questioned him about the Wanda Beach murders — despite him being one of the prime suspects at the time.
Even more shocking, despite the serious charges and his record of previous sexual offences, Wilder successfully applied for bail and was permitted to return to the United States. He was free to go on his murderous rampage across the country.