A chilling journey into the life and mind of charming and persuasive predator and serial killer Christopher Wilder, who murdered on two continents and evaded capture for over twenty years
Christopher Wilder was about as bad as they get. A serial killer and predator, he first came to the attention of police in Sydney when as a teenager in 1963 he was charged with rape. As a young adult he relocated to Florida, USA.
Wilder plied his vile and deadly trade on two continents and did so undetected for more than twenty years. He was a chameleon and a predator with a modus operandi refined over the decades, luring young teenage girls with the promise of a career as a photographic model. His final flourish was a six-week spree of abduction, sexual assault and murder crisscrossing the USA and earning him the top spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.
Wilder could have been stopped a few times in his evil career - but he wasn't. In addition to his many crimes in the US, he is now also a prime suspect for the infamous Wanda Beach murders - one of Australia's most notorious unsolved crimes. The Snapshot Killer explores how a monster was able to hide in plain sight and tells the tragic story of the many victims - at least twelve, but likely more - whose lives Wilder destroyed, with consequences that continue to resonate to this day.
This hypnotic story compelled me, not because I enjoy the genre of true crime (I do not), but to try to understand how this horrific charmer got away with the hideous things he did for so many years. Most people have seen old photos of the handsome, well spoken serial killer Ted Bundy and probably consider him not just a psychopath, but a fluke too. I mean, nicely dressed, attractive men with gentlemanly manners are not generally running about torturing and killing girls.
Picture Jason Stratham with a nice tan, a closely trimmed beard, and casual, upscale clothes. Hand him a pair of Ray Ban aviators, and place him behind the wheel of a white Porsche parked at the beach, smiling. Set an expensive camera on the buttery leather seat next to him. Does he look scary? Who he would look like, however, is Christopher Wilder. I know, because as a high school student, I met him.
When the news anchor, a few years later, conveyed that the college sophomore had escaped but that her eyes had been Superglued shut, the story might have shocked you too. In 1984, there was a frenzied nationwide manhunt for the smooth talking serial rapist and murderer who posed as a fashion photographer, luring naïve teenagers and young women away from beaches and shopping malls. We young ladies knew, in the mid 80s, that going to jog alone in a park at night, heading out solo to a night club, or even walking through a parking garage alone in the dark were bad ideas. Few girls would so much as go to lunch by themselves, but the one spot all of us visited alone was our local shopping mall.
As the manhunt led by the FBI was underway, a horrific trail dotted with newly abducted and tortured bodies followed. They were dropped like bloodied breadcrumbs behind Wilder's path covering thousands of miles.
I originally did not understand that it was the man I'd met. They described him as being from Australia, but the photographer I'd been approached by had the same flat Florida speaking voice that I did. What those news stories in 1984 didn't mention was that he'd been raised initially in the US, so he spoke like the average American did. Even people who had known this man for years failed to grasp that he was the same person. Beyond his live-in girlfriend, business partner, and the cop's wife who did embroidery work for him, vast numbers of seasoned detectives and psychiatrists were hoodwinked too - for decades.
For obvious reasons, I've been curious about Wilder since crossing paths with him in the late 1970s, but never really dug into the internet to learn more. Until a few days ago, I'd even forgotten his name. What did stay with me was the charm. If you've seen the movie The Usual Suspects, you'll remember the story narrated by the weakling, Verbal Kent. And then you come to discover the smooth lies, not from Kent, but from the real monster, Kaizer Soze.
Wilder was a talented, evil liar. And then just like that, he was gone.
VERY, VERY GOOD TRUE CRIME BOOK Here's a photo of Wilder, taken without his knowledge, as he scans a teen fashion show at one of the many malls where he lurked. https://www.bing.com/images/search?vi...
Trigger warnings: rape, murder, kidnapping, graphic descriptions of murders, sexual abuse of children, stalking, grooming, manipulation, blood, gore, gun violence, suicide.
Well. This was...horrifying. I knew about the Wanda Beach murders prior to reading this, but I knew nothing of Wilder's crimes in the US (if, indeed, he did commit the Wanda Beach murders...) and Y.I.K.E.S.
Basically, he spent years posing as a scout and a magazine photographer, telling teenage girls and young women that they had the potential to be a model and could he take some photos of them? From his voyeuristic tendencies, he worked his way up to rape and murder, and this was an incredibly compelling book but at the same time I kind of wish this book didn't need to exist because he destroyed so many lives and so many families have been left without closure because of the way his story plays out.
I don't know that I can say I'm glad I read this, but I'm definitely better informed because I read this. I guess.
A rec from my Dad that was highly engaging but fell short at many points (which my Dad also felt). It was so interesting to read as someone who is really engaged in true crime because I had never heard of Wilder and this story was fascinating. However, this book needed a bit more editing. The narrative lost me at times and seemed to jump around a bit which I struggled to follow.
I was only a small child when all of this happened, but it is something that has been in news over the years, especially with regards to the unsolved Wanda Beach murders.
This book is completely fascinating, yet completely horrifying in that a man, doing what he was doing, got away with it so many times. So many time he was within the grasp of police, and so many times he walked away to do it again.
I would like to think that in this day and age, with social media and insta-everything that this would not happen again, although we know it still does.
Mr McNab had me intrigued and engrossed in this story right away. I know someone who knew one of the girls who was murdered at Wanda Beach, and thy have mentioned on more than one occasion Christopher Wilder and how he got away with it.
Being that Mr McNab is a former police detective, the writing can sometimes come across quite dry, however that didn't bother me. I was so interested in the story itself.
I closed this book, thinking of those who survived, heart hurting for the family of those who were never found.
Quite repetitive; written in such a way that it could be turned into a mini-series with reiteration at each ad break. I persisted but it didn't reveal anything about the killer, and not a lot about the search for him.
I had never heard of Chris Wilder ‘‘The Snapshot Killer’. A man who terrorised young girls in Australia in the ’70s is still a suspect in one of Sydney’s most horrific double murders, The Wanda Beach Murders of 1965 and who fled to the USA to continue his sadistic, murderous spree. I was about to find out, and I almost regret I did.
I didn’t arrive in Australia until the mid-2000s and although an avid true crime documentary watcher, Mr Wilder and his cunning, outlandishness and dark psyche never once appeared in print or on the TV. The full story of the Snapshot Killer was only revealed fully to me by ex-police detective and investigative journalist, Duncan McNab in his most recent release, The Snapshot Killer.
This is a dark, detailed and fascinating timeline of a young, good looking, guy of average intelligence, born in the USA to a good family and raised in Sydney. Who, from a young age got a thrill from dominating and inciting fear in young girls. What floors me about this, and I’m sure in many other serial killer cases is how he could have got away with it for so long.
Did Wilder meticulously hide DNA, prints and bodies? No. He left semen and clothing and young girls bodies dumped for easy discovery. Did he hide his appearance? Not really, unless you count the bad wig he donned on occasion. Did he flee the scenes of his attacks? No. He called the premises of the victims and continued to pester girls that rebuffed his advances.
So, how did Christopher Wilder get away with it for so long?
How did so many young, beautiful girls go willingly with Wilder, in broad daylight at busy shopping malls and beaches? I believe it had a lot to do with the generation he lived in. Wilder lived in a time where there were no computer databases, information sharing between states, or communication between countries. It was also a time where it would have been social suicide for a young girl to bring shame on herself and her family by testifying evidence and admitting being victims of such degrading crimes. After Wilder openly admitted to rape and indecent assault in Australia and was awaiting trial, he, along with help from his family posted bail and headed to Florida where he could pick up where he left off and begin to hone his skills. A new life with renewed vigour and confidence.
Wilder flitted around shopping malls, race tracks and beaches targeting young, white beautiful girls who were looking to break out of their hometown lives and make it big in modelling. Although running his own lucrative construction business, Wilder preferred to play the part of a photographer for local modelling agencies, even going so far as to make fake business cards for bona fide agencies and strut around with a camera round his neck. Often with no film in it at all.
The Snapshot Killer by Duncan McNab. A photo of Christopher Wilders Kill Kit found in his car the day he was shot. Christopher Wilders ‘Kill Kit’ He would approach young, impressionable girls and tell them ‘they had what it took’ or, ‘they were perfect for an upcoming beer commercial, if they lost a few pounds.’ He would make them feel safe by offering to call their parents later to get approval for the shoots, if they would just go with him for a few snaps. Some would sense something was off and decline, but most would willingly go with the tall attractive man who seemed to have money, work for a legit business and had an exotic Australian accent. The majority were never seen again.
The Psychology of a Serial Killer
The psychology of Wilder is just as disturbing and unusual as Ted Bundy’s, just less infamous. Wilder used charisma, confidence and flashed the cash to get these girls into his car, but as his appetite for evil progressed, he resorted to knocking them out or lacing food with drugs. His torturous behaviours are not for a reader feint of heart. McNab writes in a matter of fact, journalistic style which in no way romanticises, sugar coats or indulges these crimes, of which there are many. He also draws frequently on The Beauty Queen Killer by Bruce Gibney, a book released in the 80’s just after Wilder’s death. This is not in any way plagiarism, rather an exceptional resource as most witnesses, files and clues are long lost in the sands of time. McNab avoids speculation and his past as a police detective is reflected in the careful collation of accurate accounts and careful assessment of clues, statements and TV interviews (predominantly Michael Ushers 2017 interviews) and police reports.
Once the pieces of the puzzle start to click with authorities the chase was on for a serial killer who crossed continents. Even though I guessed the outcome, and the horrendous crimes were committed decades ago, I felt myself still wishing for these young girls to be found alive. The fact that there is still no closure on the tragic and brutal Wanda beach murders and that some young girls have never been found, or that bodies recovered have never been claimed by loved ones, lays heavy on my heart.
The Snapshot Killer is the interesting, baffling and almost surreal story of a man who literally able to get away with murder for over 20 years. This one will stay with me for a while.
Audiobook version for this one. So interesting and awful at the same time. What a awful person the killer was. How he managed to keep away from authorities was astounding and unfortunate in a time where records were all hand written. Narrator was good.
A well-researched accounting of the crimes of Christopher Wilder, whom I’d heard nothing about previously. He is interesting as a serial killer because he “worked” on two continents, hulked out and went on a murder road trip, and then killed himself - all pretty unusual patterns of behavior. The book does a good job covering his life and well as that of his victims (and very little into the lives of the investigators, which was a nice change for me since I can get burned out on cop bios, but YMMV).
What detracted from this being a 4+ star for me is that the author sometimes jumps around chronologically which is a personal pet peeve of mine. I wish there had been more psychological assessment of Wilder, but since he was never arrested or put on trial and died before he could be, there will never been additional evidence of that kind.
Also, Wilder’s pattern of preying on teenage girls and luring them in shopping malls is mega sleazy and gross, so be aware of that. There’s minimal blood and guts and other gross details otherwise.
A side note on narration: the narrator is Australian, which is appropriate, but his attempts at American accents are just….weird and off-putting since they don’t sound accurate to my ears.
Duncan McNab delivers a chilling and well-researched account of Christopher Wilder, the so-called “Snapshot Killer,” whose crimes spanned multiple states and left a trail of devastation. Often referred to as the Australian Ted Bundy, Wilder’s methods bore eerie similarities to Bundy’s—using charm, deception, and false promises to lure his victims before committing brutal crimes.
McNab’s writing is compelling, balancing investigative detail with a gripping narrative that keeps you turning the pages. He not only examines Wilder’s crimes but also the broader implications of how law enforcement handled the case.
A standout aspect of the book is how it pieces together Wilder’s movements and patterns, showing how his ability to manipulate and deceive played a crucial role in his attacks. It’s a confronting but fascinating read, particularly for those interested in profiling serial offenders and the challenges of tracking them.
Highly recommended for true crime enthusiasts who appreciate in-depth research and storytelling that doesn’t shy away from the realities of such horrifying cases.
Duncan McNab delivers a chilling and well-researched account of Christopher Wilder, the so-called “Snapshot Killer,” whose crimes spanned multiple states and left a trail of devastation. Often referred to as the Australian Ted Bundy, Wilder’s methods bore eerie similarities to Bundy’s—using charm, deception, and false promises to lure his victims before committing brutal crimes.
McNab’s writing is compelling, balancing investigative detail with a gripping narrative that keeps you turning the pages. He not only examines Wilder’s crimes but also the broader implications of how law enforcement handled the case.
A standout aspect of the book is how it pieces together Wilder’s movements and patterns, showing how his ability to manipulate and deceive played a crucial role in his attacks. It’s a confronting but fascinating read, particularly for those interested in profiling serial offenders and the challenges of tracking them.
Highly recommended for true crime enthusiasts who appreciate in-depth research and storytelling that doesn’t shy away from the realities of such horrifying cases.
very thoroughly researched, but the amount of unecessary detail made it hard to follow at times. i understand that because there were so many crimes (each one could have it's own book written about it) there is the need for a lot of detail. however, it seems the writer included the name of every single person who was ever involved in wilder's life, no matter how small, which made it hard at times to remember which name was that of a victim. i also understand that these are all real people and each one deserves a mention, but for clarity purposes, the book would've been a much better read if the writer had kept his focus on the most important details. the book also needed further editing, i noticed a few grammatical errors. all of that being said, the story of christopher wilder and his poor victims is extremely interesting, frustrating, and captivating, so a good read nonetheless.
Good story, and well written, but horribly narrated and spoiled by yet another, otherwise very good narrator ATTEMPTING to do accents that he can't even get close to. They are so bad it is embarrassing, and you have to wonder how this sort of thing every gets released. Stick to Aussie old son, because in that, you are perfect, but American, stay a very long way away. :(
It took me awhile but finally I realised this book is really boring:). I read most of it then I skimmed through the last 80 pages or so. It was just not terribly interesting which is weird to say about a serial killer. Perhaps because there is nothing from the murderer himself as he died many many years ago?... It just was not very enthralling in the long run.
"The Snapshot Killer" is the true story of serial killer, rapist and all-round pervert, Christopher Wilder. He committed crimes across America and in Australia and is a very credible suspect for the 1965 Wanda Beach killings. He lured victims (almost exclusively young teenagers) by posing as a professional photographer and modelling agent. The book is well written and thoroughly researched.
I don’t usually like true crime fiction but this book was exceptional. The author takes you through the mind of this serial killer and details how he got away with the murders for so long. All in all a very enjoyable (but tragic) read.
When going through the library with an itch for true crime - this is how I chose this book!
it's safe to say that Christopher Wilder was fucked. The story was recounted well and respectful of the victims. It didn't hold back about the police mishandling. It was methodical and itched the scratch.
Wow what an interesting and at time gruesome read. This man terrorised women in two countries and evaded police for decades. A really well written book for fans of the genre.
DNF. I never thought I would say this about a book. I liked the information about the Snapshot Killer but it got boring for me that there were so many crimes, that were all the same, but still he got away. The ending for him was that he was shot but the ending of this book for me will forever me a mystery. I prefer to read another book on the same guy that is a bit more.
Overall 2/5, would not recommend as a first reader