Casefile True Crime – Casefile Archives 1: The Wanda Beach Murders

Release Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Casefile Presents

Episode Overview

This special ‘Casefile Archives’ episode marks the 10th anniversary of the Casefile podcast by revisiting and re-recording the very first episode: the unsolved Wanda Beach Murders. The re-produced narrative honors the original story while upgrading the audio and editorial quality. The episode meticulously recounts the infamous 1965 double murder of teenagers Mary Ann Schmidt and Christine Sharrock on Sydney’s Wanda Beach—a crime that sparked one of the largest and longest-running murder investigations in Australian history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Casefile 10th Anniversary and Series Introduction

• The host thanks listeners for a decade of support and introduces ‘Casefile Archives’, a bonus series revisiting early cases in anticipation of the new season (03:07).
• These episodes are not rewrites but are newly produced versions of early stories, updated where relevant.

2. Background on Victims and the Day of the Disappearance

• The Victims: Mary Ann Schmidt and Christine Sharrock, both 15, were close friends living in North Ryde and regular beachgoers (08:30).
  • Both had lost their fathers at a young age and were described as quiet, responsible, and not interested in boys or partying.
• Wanda Beach: Explained as an isolated, somewhat notorious stretch of coastline/sandhills behind Cronulla Beach, popular among those seeking privacy for various reasons—many of which were unknown to the girls, as they weren’t locals (14:05).
• The Day (Jan 11, 1965): The trip included Mary Ann, Christine, and four younger siblings. The beach was rough and closed, so they picnicked on the rocks before deciding to walk to Wanda Sandhills (18:30).

3. Last Sightings and Disappearance

• Wolfgang (7), Peter (10), Trixie (9), and Norbert (5) remained while the girls left, promising to quickly return but instead were seen heading deeper into the sandhills.
• Wolfgang observed them with a “surfy” teenage boy, described as tanned, shirtless, in grey trousers, with a blue towel and white sun cream on his nose (21:20).
  • Quote: “He looked angry and was asking Mary Ann and Christine for their names. The girls followed the Surfy into the Sandhills and Wolfgang decided not to follow them any further.”
• The girls didn’t return. The younger siblings ultimately went home without them, triggering a missing persons report that evening.

4. Discovery of the Bodies and Crime Scene

• The next day, Peter Smith, 17, found what he thought was a mannequin in the sandhills (28:10), but it was one of the girls’ bodies—and then both were discovered.
  • The site was isolated, and drag marks indicated a violent struggle.
  • “You could scream your head off and no one would hear a thing.” — Hans Schmidt (Mary Ann’s brother), describing the isolation (30:06).
• Post mortem revealed both girls suffered brutal stab wounds; both were sexually assaulted, and Christine’s body showed signs of a blow to the head.
• Significant mysteries: Christine’s stomach contained undigested cabbage and celery and a small quantity of alcohol, neither of which could be explained by the family. Investigators speculated Christine had eaten and drunk alcohol with her killer shortly before death (37:10).

5. Initial Investigation and Hunt for the “Surfy”

• Police focused on the “surfy” seen by Wolfgang, but the description fit many local boys, and tips overwhelmed investigators (42:05).
• Hundreds of locals were interviewed. Police were quick to clarify the surfy was not necessarily the killer — he could clear himself by coming forward.
  • Quote: “He should not be influenced by published statements. He could very well clear the air for us in our investigations.” – Police Commissioner (48:20)

6. Leads, Witnesses, and Unresolved People on the Beach

• Several witnesses (including Dennis Dostine and Frances Williams) reported seeing Mary Ann and Christine along with other suspicious figures in the sandhills, including a naked man, a stocky older male, and a man sunbathing with a box over his head (50:32).
• Not all of these people ever came forward, likely due to the stigma of the area’s reputation in 1965.

7. Forensic Efforts and Evidence

• Enormous search through sand dunes, with items such as broken knife blade fragments discovered but inconclusive.
• Early forensic limitations (no viable DNA until decades later), with key evidence like semen samples eventually lost over the years (01:14:23).

8. Community Response and Reward

• The crime shocked the country, inspiring a then-record reward (£10,000/$20,000) and an outpouring of community grief, including heavily attended funerals for both girls (56:19).
• An ongoing media furor, but also dangerous rumor and false leads, complicated the police’s efforts.

9. Other Linked Crimes and Suspects

• Similar unsolved attacks in the Sydney/Wollongong area—including the 1966 killings of Wilhelmina Kruger and Anna Dowlingkoa—may have been connected, but this remains speculation (01:03:45).
• Three main suspects, discussed in detail:
  • 1. Alan Bassett (convicted killer, theorized to have left a clue in a painting given to an obsessed detective; denied involvement in Wanda but offered DNA in 2000).
    • Notable quote: “Whatever that clue was has never been made public.” (01:14:10)
  • 2. Christopher Wilder (“Beauty Queen Killer,” later a US serial killer, living in Sydney at the time, physical description matched, but timeline of known murders problematic).
  • 3. Derek Percy (Australia’s Hannibal Lecter, known sadistic child sex killer, possible circumstantial link via family’s interest in local regatta, but no direct evidence).
    • Notable quote: “Percy has been described as a sadistic pedophile with a morbid and sexual attraction to fecal matter, who views killing as the ultimate sexual act.” (01:23:55)

10. Forensic Advances and Modern Hopes

• In 2012, advanced DNA retesting found a male blood spot, but the sample was too weak for full profiling. The semen sample is lost, and it’s unclear whether the broken knife blade still exists (01:36:30).
• The unresolved mystery: whether answers may yet come as technology improves, or from someone finally coming forward.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the difficulty of the case:
  “The case raised many questions. What drew Mary Ann and Christine to the Wanda Sandhills that day? Had they arranged to meet someone or were they in the wrong place at the wrong time? ... Only one thing is clear: a vicious and ruthless killer has never been brought to justice.” — Host (06:50)

• On the horror of the crime scene:
  “The attack was so savage that the full details have never been released to the public.” — Host (35:52)

• Victims’ mother’s statement:
  “My daughter and the other young girl have gone into eternal life… The man responsible should meet his punishment and I think my husband would have felt the same way.” — Elizabeth Schmidt (Victim’s mother), (52:53)

• On the investigation’s overwhelming volume:
  “The casefile log totaled over 5,000 pages and 7,000 interviews… Some thought a vital tip-off may have been lost amongst the thousands of calls that were received.” — Host (59:30)

• On the case’s legacy:
  “While this person might think the information they hold is insignificant, it could be the vital piece of the puzzle that's needed to finally solve the case and bring answers to the families of Mary Ann Schmidt and Christine Sharrock.” — Host (01:42:46)

Important Timestamps

• 03:07 — Host introduces ‘Casefile Archives’ and purpose of the re-release
• 06:50 — Opening overview of the Wanda Beach case and its impact on Australia
• 14:05 — Explanation of Wanda Beach's reputation and the girls' unawareness
• 21:20 — Last confirmed sighting: surfy teenager and the pivotal witness account
• 28:10 — Discovery of the bodies in the Wanda Sandhills
• 35:52 — Savage details of murder and post-mortem revelations, incl. unexplained stomach contents/alcohol
• 42:05 — Hunt and media focus on surfy teenager, public appeals by police
• 48:20 — Police commissioner clarifies media speculation about the “surfy” suspect
• 50:32 — Witness accounts and the parade of unidentified figures at the beach
• 52:53 — Elizabeth Schmidt’s (victim's mother) poignant statement
• 56:19 — Community response, funerals, and detective presence at ceremonies
• 59:30 — Scale of the investigation and concern about information overload
• 01:03:45 — Discussion of other possibly linked violent crimes (Wilhelmina Kruger, Anna Dowlingkoa)
• 01:14:10 — Alan Bassett as a suspect; detective’s obsession and the mysterious painting
• 01:23:55 — Derek Percy’s background and possible circumstantial links
• 01:36:30 — Modern forensic attempts, lost/lost evidence, and the lasting ambiguity
• 01:42:46 — Closing reflections on the significance of holding or sharing information

Episode Tone and Delivery

The host maintains an even, sober, deeply respectful tone, turning complex facts into vivid narrative and weaving human elements (victims’ families, the community) with stark investigative detail. There is no sensationalism; distressing aspects are handled carefully, and the focus remains on careful forensic narrative, justice for the victims, and the impact of the case on Australian society.

Conclusion

Sixty-one years after Mary Ann Schmidt and Christine Sharrock were murdered, the Wanda Beach case endures as one of Australia’s most haunting unsolved mysteries. Despite exhaustive police work, modern forensic attempts, and the enduring hope for a breakthrough, the killer’s identity remains unknown. The episode highlights not just the facts, but the pain of unknowing and the need, even after decades, for vital information that could finally bring justice and closure.

For full episode notes, content warnings, and support resources, please visit the Casefile website or the episode’s show notes in your podcast app.