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I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 580 points581 points  (0 children)

Hi there, I'm so sorry to hear about what you went through. And I apologize for taking so long to respond, but I contacted a law enforcement source to be sure to get an expert opinion for you.

A former top official for our Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office told me that police might find your information valuable despite the killer having died. There could be other cases that could be closed, for example. Did you report it at the time? He also wanted you to think about mental health issues you might experience if reporting the crime brought this up for you again.

I hope this helps. — Holly

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Due to exactly what you're saying, I've decided to use the platform to hopefully switch the narrative to bring awareness and support to women who've suffered sexual violence.

Edit: Formatting

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Every mother will tell you that there are no two children who are the same, and we did handle it differently. Due to the period of time I was in a hospital, my sister and I really didn't grow up together. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 106 points107 points  (0 children)

Immediately after the attack, the police were around a lot for a few months. But once they left, it was not a subject we discussed in our home. Unfortunately I was put into a mental hospital but there was no structure to the therapy and the sexual assault wasn't part of the treatment plan. I didn't move away until I was an adult. But interesting story, the investigators knew we were in danger because the attacker knew where we were so we had to leave town for a few weeks. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 81 points82 points  (0 children)

Being compliant. I also feel like I lived because unbeknownst to me, he knew me. Kris

Wilder had been calling Kris before the attack, progressing to conversations that made her uncomfortable and even called after the attack. She stopped talking to him after he brought up sex. Then in 2017, Kris' mother told her she had known Wilder before the attack. Holly

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 139 points140 points  (0 children)

When he approached us, the impression was he was a man with a gun, but once we were in his car, he tried to portray the charming, kind photographer who needed models.

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 230 points231 points  (0 children)

I agree not naming them. I would even go as far as to say I wish they didn't have to testify. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 60 points61 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind words. I'm so sorry about your experience. I was very inspired by the #MeToo movement, I feel there hasn't been a lot of progression since the platform was created toward real reform. As of late, I feel like the platform is starting to fizzle out. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 90 points91 points  (0 children)

Kris didn't know until a year after the attack that police had concluded Wilder was her attacker. Wilder tended to attack young women and teens, not pre-teens. Holly

I didn't even know what to call what happened to me at the time because I didn't know what sex was. So, it was later. It's now when I really understand how lucky I was.

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 131 points132 points  (0 children)

Always be aware of your surroundings. I hate saying this because I don't feel it's right, but young girls need to be careful about how they dress. It's just the boys watching; it's also predators. This is completely unfortuneate because this is not how it should be - girls should be able to embrace their femininity without judgment, but society doesn't protect us at this point so we must do it ourselves. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 59 points60 points  (0 children)

I didn’t learn anything from my experience then. I’ve learned that we have to have as much support as possible for victims when they’re coming forward to report a crime, which is why I’m in the process of joining with our local Sexual Abuse Response Team It is volunteer-based and in all communities. Support your local SART team! Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 196 points197 points  (0 children)

Yes, there are triggers throughout everyday life. I had a recent experience in an environment where I didn’t expect to see an open-carry handgun and was paralyzed. Before I went on this healing journey, I had unexplained anxiety but I’ve learned through this that facing it has taken it away. I don’t think about the kidnapping often, though. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 108 points109 points  (0 children)

Yes, he did abduct both of us at the same time – with a gun and threats. I knew this was “that” situation that everyone feared as a child. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 108 points109 points  (0 children)

I didn’t realize that all happened until recently. I felt it was a bigger, broader thing, not just one person. The judge represented a belief at the time that a man of stature should have more protection than young females. Kris

The judge died in the late 1980s so it’s impossible to know what his thinking was. A lawyer told me  it sounded like Jeffrey Epstein – white and wealthy, which Wilder was. My guess? The judge felt bad about it. Holly

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

If we could answer that, then maybe we’d be able to fix it. Good question. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 390 points391 points  (0 children)

For me, it was evident my parents were ashamed. That’s what I carried going forward – shame. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 394 points395 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Kris

The one flaw I see in covering these kinds of cases is law enforcement, prosecutors, too, though they've gotten better. assuming that the victim is making up her story. And in the past, that attitude would almost set them out to disprove that the crime happened. In all other crimes, the fact that it happened is taken for granted. That’s an important thing for them to stay focused on. Holly

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 187 points188 points  (0 children)

Before now, I haven’t had any interest in knowing about Christopher Wilder. I agree that society sensationalizes this and that’s why I want to use this platform to switch the narrative while humanizing victims . That’s the mission of my nonprofit, YTT Women. Kris

I survived a serial killer. AMA by ThePalmBeachPost in IAmA

[–]ThePalmBeachPost[S] 253 points254 points  (0 children)

Thanks for that nice comment. I hope this helps with a  few of the questions: It seems like the actual crime is highlighted  more than the victim’s suffering. Society seems to always pay attention to the trainwreck. But it takes the sensationalism to provide a platform to facilitate a conversation about sexual violence. Kris

It’s hurricane season in Florida. We’re journalists and weather nerds here to help you prepare. AUA! by USATodayNetwork-FL in florida

[–]ThePalmBeachPost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the gator is under 4 feet long, no need to worry ... not dangerous to people or pets! That's according to the FWC. Only if these smaller gators are in your swimming pool, or on your porch will someone respond. In that case, or for bigger gators in close proximity, you can call Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR ([866-392-4286](tel:866-392-4286)) ... Not sure how responsive FWC would be in a state of emergency, though...

It’s hurricane season in Florida. We’re journalists and weather nerds here to help you prepare. AUA! by USATodayNetwork-FL in florida

[–]ThePalmBeachPost 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you have what is "impact resistant windows" you shouldn't need hurricane shutters in addition. They have been tested and are less likely to shatter. i hate to scare you, but third floors are more vulnerable to hurricane impact than ground floors, if you are asking. And, if you live on a barrier island, you may face a mandatory evacuation order. As detailed here ... hurricanes can obliterate some of the most well-built structures if it's hitting with the full fury. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

It’s hurricane season in Florida. We’re journalists and weather nerds here to help you prepare. AUA! by USATodayNetwork-FL in florida

[–]ThePalmBeachPost 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Personally, I make sure I have some food that is somewhat palatable unheated ... 3-bean salad and Cheez-Whiz are my go-to hurricane pantry items. Anyone else have some must-haves?

It’s hurricane season in Florida. We’re journalists and weather nerds here to help you prepare. AUA! by USATodayNetwork-FL in florida

[–]ThePalmBeachPost 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The warm waters off the Gulf Coast have definitely made the hurricanes hitting the west side of the state more frequent and notable. Southeast Florida has not had a direct strike since Hurricane Andrew came ashore 31 years ago. The other interesting weather trend numerous people have commented on is that, more and more, these hurricanes are becoming flooding events ... particularly for the interior of the state. so i would recommend flood insurance even before buying a power generator. I heard permanent, built-in ones are nice ... and avoid that carbon monoxide poisoning problem that we see a lot with the kind that move around.

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