May 9, 2024 – ABC News Studios announced today “The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror,” a new true-crime docuseries that delves into the harrowing stories of the women who survived rampaging killer Christopher Wilder, begins streaming on Thursday, May 16, only on Hulu. 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.

About ABC News Studios

ABC News Studios, inspired by ABC News’ trusted reporting, is an award-winning, premium news and documentary original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist spanning true-crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios’ original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” “Sound of the Police,” “The Lady Bird Diaries” and “Aftershock,” plus the upcoming documentary from director Andrew McCarthy, “BRATS” premiering at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, and popular docuseries and documentaries, including “Killing County,” “Wild Crime,” “Betrayal: The Perfect Husband,” “Daughters of the Cult, ” “The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump” and “Jelly Roll: Save Me.”

About 101 Studios

101 Studios is a global entertainment company dedicated to the acquisition, financing, development, production and distribution of high-caliber, creator-driven content. With an unmatched television slate partnered with outstanding filmmakers and talent, 101 Studios productions include the award-winning series “Yellowstone,” “George & Tammy,” 1883 and 1923. We also produce some of the most critically acclaimed shows, such as LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, TULSA KING and SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS. Building upon this success, 101 Studios’ Unscripted Division works with talented storytellers in bringing their vision to life. Some of these projects include the upcoming HBO docuseries about the sexual abuse and cover-up at Ohio State University, co-produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures.

About Ample Entertainment

Founded by Ari Mark and Phil Lott, AMPLE Entertainment is an Emmy-winning production company dedicated to hands-on filmmaker-led premium content. Over the past year alone, the company has created premium hits like The Invisible Pilot (HBO) with Adam McKay, the Emmy nominated Kangaroo Valley (Netflix) with Sarah Snook, Morimoto’s Sushi Master (Roku), Ancient Empires (History), among many more. Other new series include an unannounced slate of true crime originals, plus season six of Murder in the Heartland, Price of Glee, Queen of Versailles Reigns Again, and Death by Fame for Discovery+.

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