Serial Killer Suspected in Wanda Beach Murders

New evidence links Christopher Wilder to infamous 1965 Sydney killings

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Investigators now believe Christopher Wilder, an American serial killer responsible for multiple murders across the United States in the 1980s, was also behind the notorious Wanda Beach killings in Sydney, Australia in 1965. A Sydney woman has come forward with information that her 15-year-old mother was repeatedly approached by the then-19-year-old Wilder at a local shopping mall, just miles from the crime scene, and was persistently asked to go with him to Wanda Beach. This new lead adds another layer to the decades-old unsolved case and raises questions about how Wilder's killing spree may have begun much earlier than previously known.

Why it matters

The Wanda Beach murders have long been one of Australia's most infamous unsolved crimes, capturing public attention for over 50 years. If the new evidence linking Wilder to the killings is confirmed, it would finally provide answers about who was responsible and shed light on the origins of one of America's most prolific serial killers. This case also highlights issues of bureaucracy and lack of coordination that can allow dangerous criminals to evade justice, even when credible evidence and witnesses come forward.

The details

According to the new information, Wilder, who was 19 years old at the time, was frequently seen approaching a 15-year-old girl at the Top Ryde shopping center, just a short drive from the Wanda Beach crime scene, and persistently asking her to accompany him to the beach. The girl's daughter has now come forward to share this detail with investigators working on the Catching Evil podcast. Authorities believe Wilder's interactions with the teenage girl may have been an early indication of his predatory behavior that would later escalate into the brutal murders of Marianne Schmidt and Christine Sharrock at Wanda Beach in 1965.

  • The Wanda Beach murders occurred in 1965.
  • Wilder was 19 years old at the time of the Wanda Beach killings.

The players

Christopher Wilder

An American serial killer believed to be responsible for multiple murders across the United States in the 1980s, and now suspected in the infamous Wanda Beach killings in Sydney, Australia in 1965.

Marianne Schmidt and Christine Sharrock

The two 15-year-old victims of the Wanda Beach murders in Sydney in 1965.

The 15-year-old girl

The daughter of this woman has come forward with information that her mother was repeatedly approached by the then-19-year-old Wilder at a local shopping mall and asked to go with him to Wanda Beach.

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What they’re saying

“He was constantly trying to get her to come with him to Wanda Beach.”

— The 15-year-old girl's daughter (Catching Evil podcast)

What’s next

Investigators working on the Catching Evil podcast say they are continuing to follow up on this new lead and explore any potential connections between Wilder and the Wanda Beach murders. They urge anyone with information about Wilder's activities or whereabouts in the 1960s to come forward.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating all credible leads, even decades-old unsolved crimes, as new evidence can emerge that could finally provide answers and justice for victims' families. It also underscores the need for better coordination between law enforcement agencies to ensure dangerous criminals do not slip through the cracks, even when warning signs are present.