My Favorite Murder Episode 494 – "Did You Just Call Me Baby?"

Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Podcast Network: Exactly Right & iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

Episode 494 features Georgia’s deep-dive solo coverage of the infamous Wanda Beach Murders—one of Australia’s most haunting unsolved cases. Along with the true crime reporting, Karen and Georgia maintain their signature blend of heartfelt conversation, humor, and honest reflection about obsession, Willoughby moments, and the challenges and joys of long-term partnership. "Did You Just Call Me Baby?" stands out both for its thorough, sensitive storytelling and for classic banter that makes MFM beloved.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Main Focus: Retelling and discussing the unsolved Wanda Beach Murders of 1965, exploring how the case became a national obsession, major suspects over the years, and the frustrations of cold case justice.
• Secondary Themes:
  • Personal reflections on obsession, relationships (the recurring “Willoughby” motif)
  • A check-in on books, movies, and life
  • The value of true crime podcasting and community
  • Listener "Hoorays" showcasing positive community stories

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Warm-up Banter: Nostalgia, Relationships, and Pop Culture

[02:09–10:00]

• The hosts reminisce about old phone technology, choker necklaces, and personal “Willoughby moments” (a reference to Sense and Sensibility and choosing partners).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “You are a success story. You’re a fucking Kate Winslet leaving the fucking church with Snape.” – Georgia [06:29]
  • “This is our Willoughby moment.” – Karen [06:26]

2. Exactly Right Media Announcements

[10:00–12:10]

• Highlights from the Exactly Right Store and upcoming live tour announcements.
• Social media and community engagement.

3. The Wanda Beach Murders: Detailed Coverage

[14:36–47:45]

A. Case Introduction & Setting

• Georgia introduces the case as an iconic unsolved double homicide from Australian history: two 15-year-old girls, Marianne Schmidt and Christine Sharrock, found murdered in the dunes at Wanda Beach, Sydney, in 1965.

B. The Day of the Crime

• Victims: Marianne Schmidt (15) and Christine Sharrock (15).
• Companions: Four of Marianne’s younger siblings.
• Recap of their beach trip, their movements, and the context (Australian summer holidays).
• Their disappearance occurs after walking with a mysterious teenage boy into the dunes ([23:28]).

C. Key Witness – Wolfgang (7 years old)

• Wolfgang, one of the children, reports seeing the girls with a shirtless, tanned, long-haired teenage boy with zinc on his nose and a knife ([23:28–24:53]).
• Questions arise about the reliability of memories, especially from a traumatized child.

D. Discovery & Crime Scene Details

• Discovery: Local Pete Smith finds the bodies the next morning, partially covered in sand ([16:50–18:41]).
• The girls have suffered brutal attacks, sexual assault, and both stabbing and blunt trauma ([28:13–29:45]).
• Clues: drag marks, blood stains, broken knife blade, and undigested food (Australian "chiko roll") in Christine’s stomach. Presence of a blood alcohol level and semen sample (now lost).

E. Investigation and Suspect Profiles

• Overview of immense police effort—thousands of tips, undercover operations, reward (which, due to inflation, has dwindled considerably) ([36:49–37:29]).
• Main suspects over the years:
  1. Christopher Wilder – "Beauty Queen Killer" ([39:40–43:00])
     • Had a history of sexual assault in Australia and the US; lived nearby; physical description fit. DNA inconclusive or lost for direct comparison.
     • Karen: “Why does nothing ever fucking stick on these men?” [40:45]
  2. Alan Bassett
     • Convicted of a similar murder; sent paintings to police with alleged secret details ([44:26–45:11]).
     • Georgia: “Maybe he did, baby.” / Karen: “Did you just call me baby?” [44:44–44:56]
  3. Derek Percy
     • Linked to other infamous child murder cases; possibility of being in Sydney then ([45:37–46:42]).

F. Frustration, Lost Evidence, and the Cold Case Trap

• Key evidence lost or degraded; rewards now meaningless; family still hopes for answers ([43:01–47:09]).
• Emotional quotes from Marianne’s brother Hans, wishing for justice and a meaningful reward ([46:42]).

4. Reflection & Cultural Commentary

[47:45–49:01]

• Karen and Georgia discuss the bleak legacy of 1960s–70s policing, the possibility of AI in cold case solving, and mourn systemic failures.
• Karen: “If they do make these changes and we now have the science, like, couldn’t this be something they put AI toward instead of…writing movies? Couldn’t it be something like cold case patterns, old evidence…?” [47:45–48:09]

5. Listener Hoorays

[51:39–57:55]

• A series of uplifting community stories, from graduating law school and starting beekeeping, to beginning medical school and running half marathons.
• Typical MFM warmth and encouragement, closing on a high, positive note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Georgia (on Willoughby, relationships, and sense & sensibility):
  “All the Willoughbys are like, holy shit—good job.” [06:13]
• Karen (re: parents' neglect of red flags):
  “Why does nothing ever fucking stick on these men?...They get away with it over and over, back then especially.” [40:45–40:57]
• Georgia (on lost cold case evidence):
  “Frustratingly, the semen that was collected at the time…has said to have been lost.” [43:01]
• Karen and Georgia (bantering about “baby”):
  Karen: “Did you just call me baby?”
  Georgia: “No, why would I call you baby? I said maybe he did, baby.” [44:44–44:56]
• Georgia quoting Marianne’s brother Hans:
  “We sit at one of the most horrific murders in the country and we’re still at $20,000…It would have been nice if she were still around. She would be 75 now.” [46:42–47:09]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:09–10:00 – Banter about nostalgia, relationships, and Sense & Sensibility
• 14:36–15:20 – Georgia introduces and sources the Wanda Beach Murders story
• 16:01–18:41 – Victims, their backgrounds, and the day leading to the beach trip
• 23:28–24:53 – Wolfgang’s key witness account of the mysterious boy
• 28:13–29:45 – Forensic findings and oddities at the crime scene
• 32:30–33:31 – Theory: Were the girls lured to the dunes to meet someone?
• 36:49–37:29 – Reward announcement and its impact over time
• 39:40–43:01 – Christopher Wilder profile and frustrations with ongoing impunity
• 44:26–45:11 – Alan Bassett and the "painting" connection
• 45:37–46:42 – Derek Percy as a suspect
• 46:42–47:09 – Anniversary, reward, and quote from Marianne’s brother
• 51:39–57:55 – Listener Hoorays

Tone and Delivery

Karen and Georgia maintain their trademark mix of irreverence and empathy, frequently using humor to lighten the mood (“Did you just call me baby?” [44:44]), but bringing gravity and emotional depth to sensitive topics (frustration over lost evidence, empathy for murdered children and their families). The dynamic oscillates between comedic friendship and pressing social commentary.

Episode Takeaways

• The Wanda Beach Murders remain a source of national pain and frustration in Australia, exemplifying the tragic confluence of teenage freedom, predatory violence, and historical investigative failures.
• The episode demonstrates the emotional resonance of unresolved cases—for families, communities, and even podcast listeners decades later.
• Karen and Georgia, through their warmth, wit, and genuine empathy, foster a community that reflects on darkness, but seeks hope, solutions, and progress—whether that’s through technological advancements (AI in cold case solving) or everyday victories (listener Hoorays).

For Further Listening/Reading

• Referenced podcast: Casefile (particularly Episode 1, which Georgia used for background)
• Previous MFM episodes:
  • Beauty Queen Killer (Christopher Wilder) [Ep. 472]
  • Adelaide Oval abduction [Ep. 466]
• Further reading and sources are available in the episode show notes.

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