Disney’s ABC News Studios has announced a brand-new true-crime documentary series called “The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror”, which delves into the harrowing stories of the women who survived rampaging killer Christopher Wilder.

Over 47 days in 1984, Wilder unleashed shocking violence on young women who were often aspiring models, earning him the moniker “The Beauty Queen Killer.”

This gripping three-part series, produced by 101 Studios and Ample Entertainment for ABC News Studios, weaves the stories of Wilder’s victims with those of the survivors of his violence, including Tina Marie Risico, who at 16 years old was kidnapped by Wilder from a California mall. Now, 40 years after her abduction, Risico speaks out for the first time in decades, sharing what she says are details of surviving nine hellish days with Wilder, enduring unimaginable torture and terror before being forced to bear witness to her captor’s brutal crimes.

Risico recounts how Wilder forced her to help him abduct another teenage girl; meanwhile, the FBI links Wilder to the deaths and disappearances of at least nine other women nationwide, sparking the largest FBI search in history at the time. As authorities close in, Wilder flees with kidnapped Risico, culminating in a final murder before releasing Risico after nine violent days as his captive. Under shocking circumstances, Risico survived, and while many welcomed her home, some questioned her innocence — and what she says are the difficult choices she was forced to make to survive her time in captivity.

“The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror” shows the profound courage of Risico and the other women who survived Wilder and the lasting impact of one man’s reign of terror. The new docuseries brings viewers along on Wilder’s chilling rampage through exclusive archival footage and intimate access to Risico and those closest to her. The series also features commentary from law enforcement tied to the case and grieving family members and exclusive interviews with women who previously crossed Wilder’s path, many of whom are sharing their harrowing encounters on camera for the first time.

“The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror” is produced by 101 Studios and Ample Entertainment for ABC News Studios. For 101 Studios, the series is overseen by Eliot Goldberg. David Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari and David Hutkin are executive producers for 101 Studios. For Ample Entertainment, executive producers include Ari Mark, Phil Lott, Alex Meistrell and Kathryn Vaughan. Claire Weinraub serves as executive producer, and David Sloan is senior executive producer for ABC News Studios.

This new documentary will begin streaming on Thursday 16th May 2024 on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+.  No international release details have been announced.

Are you looking forward to watching “The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror”?  Let us know on social media!

For the latest Disney+ news, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.



Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

Related Article