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The Tragic Senseless Murder of Single Mom Beth Dodge

May 25, 2026 · 40 min

Show notes

Devoted single Mom Beth Dodge is the final victim of serial killer Christopher Wilder's murder rampage across America — a six-week killing spree that has already claimed the lives of eight women. It is April 12, 1984 — a day that will live forever in serial killer infamy. Beth, weeks away from starting a new job and a new life for herself and her four-year-old daughter Stephanie, is executed in cold blood. Simply for her car.


It isn't even lunchtime, and Wilder has already raped and tortured the two teenage girls he has held captive for days. He has stabbed one of them — 16-year-old Dawnette Wilt — and left her to bleed out alone in the woods. He will shoot Beth in front of the other — 16-year-old Tina Risico — the terrified girl he has broken into becoming his assistant.


Stephanie was four years old when she was told her mum was in heaven. Today she is a mother of four, living a short drive from the place Beth was killed. Her children will never meet their grandma.


This is Beth's story — the mother, the dreamer, the daughter she left behind. She deserves to be remembered as exactly that. 🕊️


Contact us if you have had an encounter with Christopher Wilder or have information about him or any of his crimes: [email protected]


Follow us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catchingevil/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582973930611


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catchingevil


Website: https://www.catchingevil.com/post/the-mystery-of-tina-risico-the-stunning-courage-of-dawnette-wilt





Join us and support these not-for-profits:

US 

Survivors of Homicide Inc - https://www.survivorsofhomicide.com/

Yesterday Today Tomorrow Women Inc - https://www.yttwomen.org/

Aus

Mary’s House 1800 002 111 https://www.maryshouse.org.au/about/


Credits:


Hosts

Andy Byrne 

Mark Llewellyn


Audio Production

Sam Blacker - The Podcast Butler


Resources

The Pretty Girl Killer by Andrew Byrne - courtesy of Penguin Random House

The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror - Hulu


Thanks to Pro Podcast Studios, Sydney


Catching Evil is hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information

Get in Touch

If you knew Wilder or one of his victims, contact us in confidence: [email protected]


Record a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/catchingevil


Join us and support these not-for-profits:

US 

Survivors of Homicide Inc - https://www.survivorsofhomicide.com/

Yesterday Today Tomorrow Women Inc - https://www.yttwomen.org/

Aus

Mary’s House 1800 002 111 https://www.maryshouse.org.au/about/


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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