Ep.189 - The Wanda Beach Murders
Summary
Hosts Big Mike and Dirty Keith discuss the 1965 Wanda Beach murders in Australia, where two teenage girls were killed. They examine the unsolved case and focus on primary suspect Christopher Wilder, a serial killer who later committed multiple murders in the US. The episode details Wilder’s history of sexual assault, his evasion of prison time, and his brutal 1984 killing spree across several states.
Topics discussed
Intro, IKEA ad, and podcast welcome
Overview of the Wanda Beach unsolved mystery
Historical context: Post-war migration to Australia
The Schmidt family and the girls' friendship
The day of the murders and the discovery of bodies
Autopsy details and initial witness testimonies
Investigation stalls and theory of pre-arranged meeting
Suspect 1: Christopher Wilder's early life and crimes
Wilder's 1984 killing spree across the US
Wilder's final victims and death by police
Wilder's legacy and connection to Wanda Beach
Suspect 2: Alan Bassett and the controversial painting
Suspect 3: Derek Percy's dark history and crimes
Lost DNA evidence and case conclusion
Listen ad-free on Castria