Originally Published: April 10, 2014 | Birmingham Examiner (AL)
Author/Byline: Traciy Curry-Reyes; Birmingham Movie Examiner | Section: Movies
Complex of Fear is a movie based on the true story of Norcross, Georgia, rapist John Charles Whipple. Complex of Fear originally aired as a CBS Tuesday Night Movie. In recent years, it has aired on Lifetime Television.
The film was directed by Brian Grant and is based on a teleplay by Dyanne Asimow. The cast includes Hart Bochner, Chelsea Field, and Joe Don Baker. The rapist's name was changed for the film.
"Complex Of Fear" Synopsis/Plot
When a rash of rapes terrorizes an upstanding apartment community, the women depend on one local police officer who lives in the building to save them from the unknown rapist.
The movie took its story from the case of John Whipple, also known as John Charles Whipple. According to police, Whipple terrorized an apartment complex in Norcross, Georgia, during the late 1980s.
He was eventually arrested and charged with the rapes, according to the Chicago Tribune.
End of the Examiner article
Transcript (from the YouTube video)
Complex of Fear is a 1993 movie based on a true story. In this video, I will tell you who I believe inspired it. I'll show you a photo of the real person and provide an update on where he is today.
But first, Complex of Fear first aired as a Tuesday night CBS drama. Then it aired on Lifetime, and it is still streaming today.
The teleplay included many details from the real story. Now, the writers changed the assailant's name in the movie, but the terrifying events remain eerily true to life.
The cast includes Art Hindle.
"Everybody's a suspect."
"Joe Baker. There will be no more at Woodside. Is that understood?"
"I don't care if Vicki was sleeping with 50 guys a week or she was leading some guy on. No means no."
"No one is safe in the Complex of Fear."
So, in the movie, a predator terrorizes the women of a stylish apartment complex.
Concerned and nosy neighbors believe the culprit must be someone in the building.
Now, the real story behind Complex of Fear terrified an entire community.
Between the late 1980s and 1990, a rash of assaults targeted women at Shadow Creek Apartments, a large 395-unit complex in Norcross, Georgia.
Now, in the movie version, they changed the name to Woodside Complex.
And someone said filming took place in 1992 at the Asbury Square Apartment Complex in Dunwoody, Georgia. So you can see the wordplay there, you know, from Dunwoody to Woodside.
Usually, I figure that out myself. I love when they flip the facts this way, but I found that particular tidbit on IMDb this year from a commenter, and I thought it was very interesting.
Now, in Complex of Fear, they changed the assailant's name to Ed Wy.
Now, back in the 2000s, I was the first to reveal to you the real man's name, which I'll reveal again in a minute.
"Name is you, pal. I can't take this anymore."
There was one incident involving a married woman who was grabbed and assaulted while home alone with her little one.
Eventually, residents in the real community were tired of the assaults.
They basically said, "No more excuses." They wanted cops to find out who the perpetrator was, and it had to be somebody that they knew.
"Based on a true story."
Ray and Michelle Dolan thought they'd be safe in a suburban complex, but at Woodside Condominiums, someone was stalking women.
"I thought it was supposed to be safe around here."
Concerned residents watched from behind their curtains, and gossip spread throughout the complex. Residents were terrified, but authorities were running out of time. They needed to catch the person who was responsible.
And at one point, there was so much fear and tension in the complex that many husbands were afraid to leave their wives and kids at home alone, which led to many women and husbands arming themselves for protection.
Now, the man behind the attacks was John Charles Whipple in the real story.
Now, he was a 29-year-old unemployed roofer and former construction worker who had recently moved into the Norcross community. His reign of terror began shortly after.
Whipple would go on to commit several assaults in Norcross, along with multiple assaults and attempted assaults in Illinois, before he was finally caught.
Now, police were finally tipped off after a key piece of evidence, which turned out to be an offhand remark by a woman about her boyfriend owning two Chicago Bears T-shirts.
One of the shirts matched the description given by a Georgia assault victim who had been attacked by Whipple that December. Investigators traced that shirt back to Whipple, and eventually that led to his arrest.
Whipple gave a very detailed confession about the Gwinnett attacks. He admitted to each horrifying act.
Now, police detectives say John admitted that he liked to stalk pretty women. He only liked pretty women. He would sneak up on them while wearing a ski mask when he attacked them.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Whipple is originally from Chicago, Illinois.
Now, I came across a commenter while I was researching some updated information. A commenter on IMDb said John Whipple was from Joliet, Illinois, and he had gone through a very stressful time in his life.
Now, of course, I'm not telling you this to excuse his behavior because, you know, many people have had unpleasant lives, but don't go on to stalk, assault, and rob women.
So, you know, that statement is included just to give you some context and possible background information on the real guy.
What was interesting was that Whipple had a pregnant girlfriend at the time.
They all lived in the building. She was 28 years old and the mother of his two daughters.
In an interview with the news back in 1990, she revealed that he had given her a steak knife, warning her to be careful.
She recalled that it kept dropping out of her purse, and she'd have to bend down to pick it up. She actually got stuck with it a few times. She said she carried it until the very last time.
Eventually, the masked assailant was caught and identified, and it turned out to be her guy.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and other charges.
His assaults took place in both Georgia and Illinois.
And from what I understand, he was considered a very, very dangerous man, especially given the terrifying way he carried out these attacks.
The movie Complex of Fear highlights how this unsuspecting apartment complex had the courage to fight back and demand justice.
So, where is Ed Wy today? Where is the real Ed Wy today, aka John Charles Whipple?
Well, today... Let me back up a little bit.
The real man was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences for his crimes.
Public records indicate that he is still incarcerated in Georgia, serving out those life sentences for the attacks in Norcross.
Now, when I told you this story back in the mid-2000s, he looked like this.
And here is John Charles Whipple today. (see above)
So, he is in a place where he can no longer harm another woman.
If you found tonight's conversation valuable, give us your subscription.
And next time, I'll share another unforgettable story from the movie vault—a story that will shock you just as much as this one.
Until then, open your eyes, watch your surroundings, lock your doors, but don't live in fear.
Next read My Journey Into True Crime