{{Short description|American serial killer (born 1945)}} {{Pp-pc}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox criminal | name = Dennis Rader | image = DennisRader.jpg | caption = Photo of Rader from the Kansas Department of Corrections, {{circa}} 2009 | birth_name = Dennis Lynn Rader | other_names = BTK<br/>BTK Killer<br/>BTK Strangler | education = Butler County Community College (AE)<br/>Wichita State University (BS) | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|3|9}} | birth_place = Pittsburg, Kansas, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | children = 2, including Kerri | conviction = First degree murder – 10 counts<ref name="KDOC inmate number 0083707">{{cite web |url=https://kdocrepository.doc.ks.gov/kasper/search/xml?kdocNumber=0083707 |title=KDOC inmate number 0083707 |access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref> | conviction_status = Incarcerated<ref name="kdocrepository.doc.ks.gov">{{cite web|url=https://kdocrepository.doc.ks.gov/kasper/search/disclaimer|title=Disclaimer|publisher=kdocrepository.doc.ks.gov}}</ref> | sentence = 10 consecutive life sentences | victims = 10+ | country = United States | states = Kansas | motive = Sexual sadism | beginyear = January 15, 1974 | endyear = January 19, 1991 | apprehended = February 25, 2005 | imprisoned = El Dorado Correctional Facility<ref name="KDOC inmate number 0083707"/> | module = {{Infobox military person |embed=yes | allegiance = United States | branch = U.S. Air Force | service_years = 1966–1970 (active)<br/>1970–1972 (reserve) | rank = Staff sergeant<ref name="Military">{{Cite news |last=Hegeman |first=Roxana |date=March 17, 2015 |title=BTK suspect served in Alabama |url=https://www.gadsdentimes.com/story/news/2005/03/18/btk-suspect-served-in-alabama/32299704007/ |work=The Gadsden Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> }} }}
'''Dennis Lynn Rader''' (born March 9, 1945), better known by his pseudonym '''BTK''' (for "bind, torture, kill"), is an American serial killer and mass murderer who killed at least ten people in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991. Although he occasionally killed or attempted to kill men and children, Rader typically targeted women. His victims were often attacked in their homes and then bound, sometimes with objects from their homes, and either suffocated with a plastic bag or manually strangled with a ligature.<ref name="Siegel2012">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BbsJAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA353 |title=Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies |last=Siegel |first=Larry |date=2012 |publisher=Cengage Learning | location=Boston, Massachusetts |isbn=978-1-133-71052-3 |page=353 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728001507/http://books.google.com/books?id=BbsJAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA353 |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In a series of crimes that terrorized Wichita in the mid-to-late 1970s, Rader also initiated a series of taunting letters sent to police and media outlets, describing his crimes in detail and referring to himself as "BTK".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EBkEGAOlCDsC&pg=PR17 |title=Secret History: The Story of Cryptology |last=Bauer |first=Craig P. |date=March 25, 2013 |publisher=CRC Press | location=Boca Raton, Florida| isbn=978-1-4665-6186-1 |page=17 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727084825/http://books.google.com/books?id=EBkEGAOlCDsC&pg=PR17 |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ob0KAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA254 |title=Serial Murderers and Their Victims |last=Hickey |first=Eric W. |date=2012 |publisher=Cengage Learning |location=Boston, Massachusetts |isbn=978-1-285-40168-3 |page=254 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720155542/http://books.google.com/books?id=Ob0KAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA254 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, he stole keepsakes from his female victims, including underwear, driver's licenses and personal items. In 1979, BTK suddenly went quiet, and despite an exhaustive investigation, the case grew into one of the most infamous cold cases in American history. Rader would later confess to killing three further victims between 1985 and 1991 that were not initially linked to BTK but were confirmed to be his doing through DNA and items found in his possession.<ref>Cohen, Sharon (March 4, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-police-followed/176339241/ Police followed trail as details piled up]. ''Lexington Herald-Leader''. Associated Press. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref>
In 2004, after a thirteen-year hiatus, Rader resumed sending letters, where he hinted at committing further crimes. Based on items he mailed to law enforcement, he was identified and arrested in February 2005, pleading guilty to his crimes months later and given ten consecutive life sentences. Rader is currently incarcerated at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas.<ref name="kdocrepository.doc.ks.gov"/>
==Early life== ===Childhood=== Dennis Lynn Rader was born in Pittsburg, Kansas, on March 9, 1945, the oldest of four sons.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-dorothea-and-william-r/176669465/ Dorothea and William Rader]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. April 1, 1993. Retrieved July 14, 2025.</ref> His parents were Dorothea Mae Rader ({{née|Cook}}), a bookkeeper; and William Elvin Rader, a former United States Marine and Kansas Gas Service worker.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Douglas |first1=John |authorlink=John E. Douglas|title=Inside the Mind of BTK |date=2008 |publisher=Wiley |location=Hoboken, New Jersey|isbn=9780470325155 |page=130|quote=Dennis Lynn Rader was born just outside the tiny town of Columbus, Kansas, on March 9, 1945 ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1NxDwAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramsland |first1=Katherine M. |authorlink=Katherine Ramsland|title=Confession of a Serial Killer |date=2016 |publisher=University Press of New England |location=Lebanon, New Hampshire|isbn=9781611689730 |page=36 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WM2QDAAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref name="Minutaglio30Aug2018">{{cite news |last1=Minutaglio|quote=Rader was born on March 9, 1945 in the tiny town of Pittsburg, Kansas. |first1=Rose |title=The BTK Killer Brutally Murdered 10 People. In Chilling New Audio, He Explains Why. |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a22812299/where-is-btk-killer-dennis-rader-today/ |access-date=June 27, 2021 |work=Esquire |date=August 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-william-e-bill-rade/176761310/ William E. "Bill" Rader Obituary]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-dorothea-mae-rader-obi/176761402/ Dorothea Mae Rader Obituary]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref> Rader's parents were members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsburg, where Rader was baptized.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-readers-still-want-ans/176814538/ Readers still want answers on BTK]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. July 3, 2005. p.5. Retrieved July 16, 2025.</ref> Both parents worked long hours and paid little attention to their children at home, and in later years Rader said he felt neglected.<ref name="news.au.com">{{cite web|url= https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/kansas-btk-serial-killer-dennis-rader-said-a-demon-within-me-made-him-murder/news-story/9ff3d7a3d55fa5044812f050b2332a28|title=BTK serial killer Dennis Rader said 'a demon within me' made him murder|publisher=Fox News|via=news.au.com|date=September 4, 2018|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> Rader's father was described as strict and God-fearing, but not abusive.<ref>Wenzl, Ron (March 1, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-brother-told-police/177148955/ Brother told police: 'You got the wrong guy']. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 21, 2025.</ref>
Growing up in Wichita, Rader had an interest in novels, comic books, fishing and cub scouting.<ref>Davey, Monica (March 6, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-for-btk-serial-suspect-a-l/176612080/ For BTK serial suspect, a life of strictest mores]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved July 14, 2025.</ref> From a young age, however, he also harbored sadistic sexual fantasies about torturing "trapped and helpless" women.<ref name="news.au.com"/><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Hannah|last=Murphy|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/btk-serial-killer-what-we-learned-from-confessional-new-book-111057/|title=BTK Serial Killer: What We Learned From Confessional New Book|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 12, 2016|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> Rader exhibited zoosadism by torturing, killing and hanging small animals.<ref>{{cite book|first=Lee|last=Mellor|editor1-first=Joan|editor1-last=Swart|editor2-first=Lee|editor2-last=Mellor|title=Homicide: A Forensic Psychology Textbook|chapter=Sexually Sadistic Homicide Offenders|publisher=CRC Press|location=Boca Raton, Florida|date=2016|isbn=978-1-315-37001-9|page=138}}</ref><ref name="owlcation">{{cite news|first=Matthew I.|last=Crawford|url=https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Profile-of-a-Serial-Killer-Part-5-Dennis-Rader-The-BTK-Killer|title=Profile of a Serial Killer: Dennis Rader, the BTK Strangler|newspaper=The Crimewire|publisher=Purdue University|location=Lafayette, Indiana|date=March 8, 2017}}</ref> He acted out sexual fetishes for voyeurism, autoerotic asphyxiation and cross-dressing, often spying on female neighbors while dressed in women's clothing, including women's underwear that he had stolen. Rader also masturbated with ropes or other bindings around his arms and neck.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramsland |first1=Katherine |title=Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer |date=August 30, 2016 |publisher=ForeEdge |isbn=978-1611688412 |page=131}}</ref>
Whilst studying at Wichita Heights High School, Rader spent most of his out-of-school time working as a bag boy and shelf stocker for a local grocery store to earn money for a motor vehicle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wenzl |first1=Roy |last2=Laviana |first2=Hurst |title=The puzzle of Dennis Rader: Who is this man? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-the-puzzle-of-dennis-r/189631060/ |access-date=January 23, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 6, 2005 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-the-puzzle-of-dennis-r/189631060/ 1A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-the-puzzle-of-dennis-r/189631132/ 6A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-who-is-this-man-p7/176933024/ 7A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-the-puzzle-of-dennis-r/189631234/ 8A] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> After graduating in 1963,<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott A.|last=Bonn|date=February 7, 2022|title=Evolution of a Serial Killer: Dennis Rader, BTK |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/202202/evolution-serial-killer-dennis-rader-btk |website=Psychology Today}}</ref> Rader attended Kansas Wesleyan University, where he received only mediocre grades and dropped out after one year.
=== Early adulthood === [[File:Dennis Rader Airman Portrait.jpg|thumb|upright|Rader after entering the U.S. Air Force in 1966]] Rader joined the United States Air Force in June 1966.<ref name="tryt1">Potter, Tim (March 16, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-raders-tour-of-duty-p/176599997/ Rader's tour of duty]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. p.5. Retrieved July 13, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-air-force-recruits-28/176365910/ Air Force Recruits 28 in Area]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. September 15, 1966. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> He completed basic training and technical school in Texas before being stationed at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama, where he worked as an antenna installer and maintenance specialist.<ref name="pn442">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/goldsboro-news-argus-btk-suspect-earned/176451202/ BTK suspect earned good conduct medal while in Air Force]. ''The Goldsboro News-Argus''. March 17, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2025.</ref><ref>Colquitt, Ron (March 16, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register-military-records-pla/176364498/ Military records place suspected serial killer BTK in Mobile]. ''Press-Register''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> After being stationed for assignments in Turkey, Greece and South Korea, Rader was transferred to Japan in January 1968, where he spent six months stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa followed by twenty-five months stationed at Tachikawa Airfield in Tokyo.<ref name="pn442"/> He earned a medal for good conduct and a ribbon for marksmanship; he also earned a National Defense Service Medal because his service coincided with the military being under a state of emergency due to the Vietnam War.<ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007">{{cite news |last1=Sylvester |first1=Ron |title=Investigators tell of grisly crimes, Rader's delight |url=http://www.kansas.com/2005/08/18/19161/litany-of-horror.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219045210/https://www.kansas.com/2005/08/18/19161/litany-of-horror.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=April 21, 2019 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 14, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="e4r4n">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-a-double-life/176353342/ A double life]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. June 27, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> Rader later credited the Air Force for teaching him about sex.<ref>Sylvester, Ron (August 19, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-rader-gets-ten-life-te/177114731/ Rader gets 10 life terms; families get their say]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 20, 2025.</ref>
Rader received an honorable discharge on August 12, 1970, at the rank of staff sergeant.<ref name="ve4m">Hegeman, Roxana (March 19, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-serial-killer-suspect/176749680/ Serial Killer Suspect 'Clean-Cut' In Military]. ''The Tampa Tribune''. Associated Press. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref> He subsequently served in the Air Force Reserve Command until June 20, 1972, around the time he was hired by the Coleman Company, an outdoor recreational equipment manufacturer.<ref name="pn442"/> A year after his discharge, Rader purchased a home in Park City, Kansas, a suburb of Wichita.<ref name="e4r4n"/> He enrolled at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, earning an associate degree in electronics engineering in 1973.<ref name="InsideStory">{{cite book |last1=Wenzl |first1=Roy |last2=Potter |first2=Tim |last3=Laviana |first3=Hurst |last4=Kelly |first4=L. |title=Bind, Torture, Kill: The Inside Story of BTK, the Serial Killer Next Door |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VVV9KLQMEDEC |access-date=July 11, 2014 |date=May 27, 2008 |publisher=HarperCollins | location=New York City| isbn=978-0-06-137395-4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729003334/http://books.google.com/books?id=VVV9KLQMEDEC |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then attended Wichita State University (WSU) and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in administration of justice.<ref>Funk, Josh (February 27, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-college-connection/176752140/ College connection had been suspected]. ''The Kansas City Star''. The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref>
Rader initially worked in the meat department of an IGA supermarket where his mother was employed as a bookkeeper.<ref name="media.kansas.com">{{cite news |title=A Double Life: Dennis Rader lived quietly while killing 10 |url=http://media.kansas.com/pdfs/btk/022905btkrader_timeline.pdf |work=The Wichita Eagle |access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103182155/http://media.kansas.com/pdfs/btk/022905btkrader_timeline.pdf |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> From mid-1972 to mid-1973, he worked as an assembler for Coleman, where two of his victims (Julie Otero and Kathryn Bright) also worked.<ref>Simon, Stephanie, Simon; Huffstutter, P.J. (March 7, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-friend-neighbor/176749015/ Friend, neighbor ... suspected serial killer]. ''Portland Press Herald''. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref> From 1974 to 1988, Rader worked at the local Wichita office of ADT Security Services, where he installed security alarms. Ironically, many of his clients were concerned homeowners seeking security from his own killings as BTK.<ref name="InvestigationDiscovery" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Twiddy |first1=David |title=BTK Suspect's Career in Security Probed |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-105855357.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221845/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-105855357.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |agency=Associated Press | url-access=| date=March 1, 2005}}</ref> At ADT, Rader was nicknamed "blue book man" for overzealously following office rules and scolding coworkers when they failed to follow them.<ref>Simon, Stephanie; Huffstutter, P.J. (March 7, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ann-arbor-news-family-man-and-serial/174236883/ Family man and serial killer?]. ''The Ann Arbor News''. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved July 20, 2025.</ref>
=== Marriage === On May 22, 1971, Rader married Paula Dietz, a secretary for the American Legion, in a ceremony held at Christ Lutheran Church.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-paula-dietz-dennis-ra/176342553/ Paula Dietz, Dennis Rader]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. May 25, 1971. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> They had two children, Kerri and Brian.<ref name="InvestigationDiscovery">{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Gary C. |last2=Allen |first2=Kevin P. |title=Criminal Profile: Dennis Lynn Rader |url=http://investigation.discovery.com/criminals/serial-killers/dennis-rader.html |website=Investigation Discovery | publisher=Discovery Communications | access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231133739/http://investigation.discovery.com/criminals/serial-killers/dennis-rader.html |archive-date=December 31, 2012}}</ref><ref name="kansas.com-2005-07-27" /> On July 26, 2005, several months after Rader's arrest, Dietz was granted an emergency divorce, waiving the normal sixty-day waiting period.<ref name="kansas.com-2005-07-27">{{cite news |title=Raders' divorce granted |url=http://www.kansas.com/2005/07/27/19142/raders-divorce-granted.html |access-date=July 11, 2014 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153055/http://www.kansas.com/2005/07/27/19142/raders-divorce-granted.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="kansas/1003760">{{cite news |title=Paula and Dennis Raders' divorce granted |url=https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003760.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |work=kansas.com |date=July 27, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BTK killer's wife granted an emergency divorce |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8721125 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |publisher=NBC News | agency=Associated Press|date=July 27, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200629/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8721125/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> All of the crimes were committed while Rader was married, although neither Dietz nor her children suspected his involvement in the BTK killings.<ref>Effron, Lauren; Smith, Jennifer (July 25, 2019). [https://abcnews.go.com/US/btk-serial-killers-daughter-family-embracing-start-memoir/story?id=64514619 'BTK' serial killer's daughter says she, her family are 'embracing a new start' since memoir release]. ''ABC News''. Retrieved July 25, 2025.</ref> The family's former Park City residence was demolished in March 2007.<ref>[https://www.wistv.com/story/6191143/former-btk-home-demolished/ Former BTK home demolished]. ''WIS''. March 7, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref>
== BTK crimes == === Otero family murders === thumb|Rader's first four victims (''clockwise from top left''): Joseph Sr., Julia, Josephine, and Joseph II Otero|306x306px On January 15, 1974, Rader murdered four members of the Otero family in Wichita:<ref name="Potter2013">{{Cite news |first=Tim|last=Potter|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1115176.html |title=Charlie Otero finds peace, stability nearly 40 years after BTK murders |work=The Wichita Eagle | date=May 11, 2013|access-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083431/https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1115176.html |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Joseph Sr. (38), Julia (33), Joseph II (9) and Josephine (11). Their bodies were discovered by the family's three older children, who had been at school at the time of the killings.<ref name="Potter2013" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 18, 2005|title=BTK serial killer's victim families to address court|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/18/world/americas/btk-serial-killers-victim-families-to-address-court.html|access-date=January 30, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> After his 2005 arrest, Rader claimed that he first targeted the family two months prior, when he spotted Julia leaving to take her children to school, and stalked them for two to three weeks.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005">{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/27/rader.transcript/ |title=BTK: 'I took her to the basement and...hung her'|publisher=CNN|date=June 27, 2005 |access-date=April 8, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707195931/http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/27/rader.transcript/ |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On the morning of the murders, Rader parked his car and walked to the Otero residence, where he scaled a fence and cut the phone lines in the backyard.<ref name="Simon1May2004">{{cite news |last1=Simon |first1=Stephanie |title=Chilling echo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-chilling-echo/196297969/ |access-date=April 25, 2026 |work=The Hamilton Spectator |date=May 1, 2004 |page=F11 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> It was after this that Joey let out the family's dog through the back door, where Rader confronted him and forced his way into the home at gunpoint. Initially, the Otero family thought he was pulling a prank; Rader asserted that he wasn't and clarified that he had a .22 caliber pistol loaded with hollow-point bullets. Rader told the family that he was wanted in California before ordering them at gunpoint to lie on the living room floor. Then, he led the family into a bedroom and bound them with rope he had prepared ahead of time. Joseph and Joey were laid out on the floor, while Julie and Josie were laid out on the bed.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/>
After being bound, Rader said the family began complaining of problems related to poor blood circulation. Joseph complained of a cracked rib, which he had sustained from a previous car accident,<ref>{{cite news |title=Killer coldly, calmly describes murders |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2005/06/28/killer-coldly-calmly-describes-murders/ |access-date=March 9, 2026 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=August 26, 2005}}</ref> so Rader put a pillow under him. Rader later stated that it was around this time that he decided to kill them.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/> Rader covered Joseph's head with a plastic bag, which he then secured with ropes. After Joseph chewed a hole in the bag, Rader replaced it, causing him to slowly suffocate. Rader then strangled Julia with a rope. At one point she regained consciousness and pleaded for mercy for her children, prompting Rader to kill her.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/> Rader then placed another plastic bag, followed by two T-shirts and an additional bag, over Joey's head. Rader watched him struggle from a chair set up in the bedroom.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/>
After he murdered the rest of the family, Rader took Josephine down to the basement, where he undressed the girl and tied a noose around a sewage pipe.<ref name="CNN18August2005"/> Rader asked Josephine if she had a camera so he could take pictures, to which she responded no.<ref name="CNN18August2005"/> When she asked what was going to happen to her, Rader replied: "Well, honey, you're going to be in heaven with the rest of your family."<ref>{{cite news |title=Witnesses Detail BTK Brutality |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/witnesses-detail-btk-brutality/ |access-date=January 20, 2026 |work=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 17, 2005}}</ref> Rader proceeded to hang the girl in the basement and masturbated as he watched her struggle on the rope.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/> Leaving the house, he got in the Otero family car and drove it to the parking lot of a Dillons grocery store. Realizing that he had dropped a knife in the backyard of the Otero home, he drove the car back to the house to retrieve it.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/>
=== Murder of Kathryn Bright === Rader selected Kathryn Bright (21) as his next victim after he spotted her entering her house with a friend, referring to Bright as "Project Lights Out".<ref name="AndersonCooper360-2006" /> He had no knowledge of her younger brother Kevin (19) staying over,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bauer |first1=Laura |title=The man who survived BTK |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-the-man-who-survive/196236958/ |access-date=April 24, 2026 |work=The Kansas City Star |date=March 2, 2005 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-the-man-who-survive/196236958/ A-1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-btk-victims-broth/196237056/ A-4] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> which might have dissuaded him from targeting her, as he was trying to "stay away from the males as much as possible" to make the killings easier.<ref name="statesumevidence">{{cite web |last1=Foulston |first1=Nola Tedesco |last2=Parker |first2=Kim|last3=O'Connor |first3=Kevin |last4=Smith |first4=Aaron |title=State's Summary of the Evidence |url=https://serialkillersinfo.com/documents/btk-case-file/ |website=Stored on serialkillersinfo.com |publisher=The State of Kansas |access-date=April 24, 2025 |language=English |date=August 18, 2005}}</ref>
On April 4, 1974, Rader broke into Bright's house through the rear sliding glass door, finding no one was home yet. He began sweeping up the glass to try to minimize suspicion when Bright arrived. The delicate trigger of Rader's pistol caused an accidental discharge, causing him to fear that the smell of gunpowder would alert Bright. When Bright later arrived home accompanied by Kevin, Rader told them that he was a wanted man from California and needed money and a car.<ref name="Previch23May2004">{{cite news |last1=Previch |first1=Chad |title=Survivor recalls serial killer's attack |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2004/05/23/survivor-recalls-serial-killers-attack/61988446007/ |access-date=April 7, 2026 |work=The Oklahoman |date=May 23, 2004}}</ref><ref name="CNN3Mar2005">{{cite news |title=Victim's brother describes killing linked to BTK |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/02/btk.investigation/ |access-date=April 8, 2026 |work=CNN |date=March 3, 2005}}</ref> He forced the siblings into the southeast bedroom, where he made Kevin tie up his sister, before Rader bound Kevin himself.<ref name="CNN3Mar2005"/> Rader used household supplies, including bandanas, as restraints to distinguish the crime from the Otero murders. The siblings were separated into different rooms, with Kevin's feet tied to a bedpost and Bright to a chair.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005" /><ref name="Time7Mar2005">{{cite news |last1=Chu |first1=Jeff |title=Was the Killer Next Door? |url=https://time.com/archive/6671543/was-the-killer-next-door/ |access-date=April 8, 2026 |work=Time |date=March 7, 2005}}</ref> Rader turned on the stereo system in the living room to drown out any sounds of struggle, which he later claimed was a trick he learned from "detective magazines".<ref name="statesumevidence" />
Rader returned to the bedroom where Kevin was restrained to strangle him, but Kevin had freed himself. Rader then pulled out his firearm and a struggle ensued, during which Rader shot Kevin in the forehead.<ref name="WichitaEagle19Aug2019"/> Rader then attempted to strangle Kevin again, resulting in a similar struggle in which he fired two more shots: one landing just above Kevin's mouth and the other grazing him.<ref name="WichitaEagle19Aug2019"/> Kevin played dead until Rader left the room, then ran from the house.<ref name="InsideEdition31Jan2019">{{cite news |title=A Look at the Case of the BTK Killer |url=https://www.insideedition.com/look-case-btk-killer-50397 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |work=Inside Edition |date=January 31, 2019}}</ref> He flagged down neighbors, who took him to the hospital and called police.<ref name="CNNVicBro">{{cite web |title=Victim's brother describes killing linked to BTK |url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/02/btk.investigation/ |publisher=CNN |access-date=April 11, 2025 |date=March 2, 2005}}</ref><ref name="WichitaEagle19Aug2019">{{cite web |title=Living victim sues Rader |url=https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003754.html |website=Wichita Eagle |access-date=April 8, 2026 |language=en |date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>
When Rader reentered her room, Bright asked about the gunshots. Rader told Bright that he had shot her brother, at which point she fought back. Her resistance proved too strong for Rader to strangle her as planned, so he resorted to stabbing her "two or three times" in the area under her ribcage.<ref name="WichitaEagle19Aug2019"/> Rader heard Kevin call for help during the struggle. Once he thought Bright was dead, Rader grabbed her keys, ran outside and tried unsuccessfully to start her truck. When it did not start, Rader ran to his car, which was parked at the WSU campus. Bright was alive when police arrived at her house, holding a telephone, but partially verbally unresponsive. She died in emergency surgery from multiple stab wounds and strangulation.<ref name="statesumevidence" /> Kevin did not see his sister's body and was informed of her death several days after the attack while hospitalized.<ref name="CNN3Mar2005"/><ref name="InsideEdition31Jan2019"/>
=== Murder of Shirley Vian Relford === Three years later, on March 17, 1977, Rader targeted Shirley Vian Relford (26).<ref name="Wenzl3March2005">{{cite news |last1=Wenzl |first1=Roy |title=BTK survivor: 'That's the guy' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-btk-survivor-thats/188725392/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 3, 2005 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-btk-survivor-thats/188725392/ 1A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-victims/188725555/ 5A] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> Rader had a different victim planned for that day, but the victim was absent from home when he broke in. Frustrated, Rader decided to find a random person to kill instead.<ref name="SpringfieldNewsLeader28June2005">{{cite news |title=BTK killer's tale a cold one |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-btk-killers/188723526/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Springfield News-Leader |date=June 28, 2005 |page=2A |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> While looking for a potential victim, he came across Relford's son, Steven (5), walking home after buying soup for his sick mother.<ref name="Wenzl3March2005"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Tim |title=Now a guard at El Dorado, woman was nearly a victim of the serial killer |url=https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003779.html |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 27, 2012}}</ref> Rader approached Steven, claiming to be a detective, and asked him if he could identify individuals in a photo.<ref name="Wenzl3March2005"/> He showed Steven a photo of his wife and daughter, who the boy mistakenly identified as his mother and sister. Rader then followed Steven back to his mother's house.
At her residence, Rader asked Relford if she could identify the same photo. During this interaction, Rader pulled a gun<ref name="Wenzl3March2005"/> and claimed that he was a wanted man, and that Relford and her three children were being robbed. Rader attempted to tie up the children but struggled to do so, leading him to force the children into a bathroom, which he barricaded with Relford's coerced assistance. Rader reported giving the kids toys and supplies to keep them "comfortable" while he murdered their mother, threatening to shoot them if they broke free. After this, Rader took Relford to the rear bedroom. She vomited before being tied to her bedpost by her legs and handcuffed. Rader strangled her with rope after placing a plastic bag over her head.<ref>{{cite news |title=2 murders probed at Wichita |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-2-murders-probed-at-w/188724130/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Salina Journal |agency=UPI |date=March 18, 1977 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> During the murder, Relford was sick and asked for water, which Rader provided prior to strangling her.<ref name="SpringfieldNewsLeader28June2005"/>
Rader later confessed that he intended to eventually kill the children in the bathroom. However, the family phone rang and one of the children shouted that it was someone who would be visiting shortly, causing Rader to flee the home.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hegeman |first1=Roxana |title=Graphic details emerge at BTK hearing |url=https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/aug/18/graphic_details_emerge_btk_hearing/ |access-date=January 16, 2026 |work=Lawrence Journal-World |agency=Associated Press |date=August 18, 2005}}</ref>
=== Murder of Nancy Jo Fox === thumb|155px|Nancy Jo Fox Rader had been stalking Nancy Jo Fox (25)<ref name="McVey27December1977">{{cite news |last1=McVey |first1=Tom |title=2 Homicides Still Puzzle Police |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-2-homicides-still-puzz/188638357/ |access-date=January 11, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=December 27, 1977 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-2-homicides-still-puzz/188638357/ 1B], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-homicides-still-puzzle/188638509/ 3B] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> for some time before his decision to kill her;<ref name="NancyFoxWichitaEagle2007">{{cite news |title=Nancy Fox |url=https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003603.html |access-date=April 26, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 12, 2007}}</ref> he gave her the name "Project Foxhunt".<ref name="AndersonCooper360-2006" />
On December 8, 1977,<ref>{{cite news |title=Two timelines |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-two-timelines/188638106/ |access-date=January 11, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 6, 2005 |page=6A |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> Rader broke into Fox's home through a back window, discovering she was out. After some time, Fox returned home from work<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laviana |first1=Hurst |title=Nancy Fox's father sues Rader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-nancy-foxs-father-sue/191758127/ |access-date=February 20, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=July 19, 2005 |page=3B |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> and began screaming at Rader to leave her house, threatening to call police. Rader informed her that her phone lines were cut and she would not be able to make any calls.<ref name="Simon1May2004"/> He then informed her that he intended to restrain her and rape her.<ref name="NancyFoxWichitaEagle2007"/>
Rader allowed Fox to go to the bathroom after she assured him that she could not escape. He ordered her to come out of the bathroom partially undressed.<ref name="NancyFoxWichitaEagle2007"/> Rader began to undress himself and ordered her to lie down when she emerged from the bathroom. Fox resisted when Rader tried to remove her remaining clothing. Rader then began putting handcuffs on Fox,<ref name="NancyFoxWichitaEagle2007"/> to which she protested and questioned the need for them. Rader told her: "That's part of my deal. I got to have them or it won't work."{{citation needed|date=April 2026}} He then began to crawl on top of Fox and wrapped his belt around her neck. He would repeatedly loosen and tighten the belt, allowing her to come close to unconsciousness and then bring her back, before eventually killing her.<ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007"/>
=== Attempted murder of Anna Williams === During this time, Rader also intended to kill others, such as Anna Williams (63), who, in 1979, escaped death by returning home much later than expected. Rader explained during his confession that he became obsessed with Williams and was "absolutely livid" when she evaded him. He recalled spending hours waiting inside her home but becoming impatient and leaving when she did not return from visiting friends.<ref name="Bardsley">{{cite web |url=http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/unsolved/btk/13.html |title=The BTK Story – More Clues Revealed |first1=Marilyn |last1=Bardsley |first2=Rachael |last2=Bell |first3=David |last3=Lohr |website=Crime Library | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529005912/http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/unsolved/btk/13.html |archive-date=May 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 25, 2008}}</ref>
=== Communications === ==== "I did it" (October 1974) ==== In October 1974, Rader sent a letter to ''The Wichita Eagle'' using the pseudonym "BTK," taking responsibility for the Otero murders and offering details about the crime not previously made public.<ref>Ladwig, Craig (January 15, 1975). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/176346568/ Oteros Found Slain One Year Ago Today]. ''The Wichita Beacon''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-otero-killer-writes-l/176345973/ Otero killer writes letter?]. ''Salina Journal''. Associated Press. December 12, 1974. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-btk-timeline/176346223/ BTK TIMELINE]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. March 27, 2004. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> He said, "I did it by myself and no ones help," referring to three brothers in psychiatric care who had falsely confessed to the Otero murders the month prior.<ref>Ladwig, Craig (October 9, 1974). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon-police-chiefs-skepti/176345577/ Police Chief's Skeptical About Otero Confessions]. ''The Wichita Beacon''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-forum-wichita-serial-killer-resurfac/177119250/ Wichita serial killer resurfaces 25 years later]. ''The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead''. The Washington Post. September 7, 2004. Retrieved July 20, 2025.</ref> Earlier, in July, a man in Washington, D.C. was arrested for the murders,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-dc-police-hold-suspe/176345343/ D.C. Police Hold Suspect In Otero Case]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. July 20, 1974. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> but was cleared after a fingerprint comparison. In response to the letter, ''The Wichita Beacon'' ran a classified advertisement reading, "B.T.K Help is Available. Call 684–6321 before 10 p.m." for several of their late October issues.<ref>Granger, Don (October 31, 1974). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon-talk-of-the-town/177042538/ Talk of the Town]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 20, 2025.</ref>
==== "Nancy Fox" (December 1977) ==== On December 9, 1977, one day after he killed Fox, Rader called police from a phone booth and informed them of a murder at her address, telling them "where the victim's body could be found."<ref name="McVey27December1977"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chiszar |first1=Dan |title=Wichita Haunted By BTK Strangler |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/jacksonville-journal-wichita-haunted-by/188638937/ |access-date=January 11, 2026 |work=Jacksonville Journal |agency=UPI |date=March 2, 1978 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BTK Shares Bone-Chilling Nancy Fox Murder Details in Confession of a Serial Killer Clip |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/btk-shares-bone-chilling-nancy-170000723.html|access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=E! News|date=January 7, 2022 }}</ref> The call was recorded and released to the larger public in 1979, sparking over a hundred tips, albeit none were promising.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-who-is-btk/176378576/ WHO IS BTK?]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. March 25, 2004. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref>
==== "Shirleylocks, shirleylocks" (January 1978) ==== On January 31, 1978, Rader sent a letter to the classified ad department in Wichita. It contained a poem that began with "Shirleylocks, shirleylocks" followed by a detailed description of Relford's murder. The letter was addressed to the ''Beacon'' but did not arrive for several weeks.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mercury-after-25-years-wichitas-ki/180996640/ After 25 years, Wichita's killer reemerges, and so does fear]. ''The Manhattan Mercury''. The Washington Post. September 8, 2004. Retrieved September 13, 2025.</ref>
==== "How many do I have to kill?" (February 1978) ==== On February 10, 1978,<ref name="KAKEBTKBack2005">{{Cite web |last1=Kumari |first1=Cara |date=February 11, 2005 |title=KAKE {{!}} BTK Back |url=http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/1251737.html |access-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211120623/http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/1251737.html |archive-date=February 11, 2005 }}</ref> Rader sent a letter to Wichita television station KAKE, again claiming responsibility for the Otero murders, along with those of Bright, Relford and Fox.<ref name="McClellan" /> He demanded more media attention in this second letter, writing, "How many do I have to kill, before I get a name in the paper or some national attention?" He further suggested many possible names for himself, including "BTK." Rader wrote that he was driven to kill by "factor X", which he characterized as a supernatural element that also motivated Jack the Ripper, the Son of Sam and the Hillside Stranglers. He instructed police to respond to him with a hidden message.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003859.html|title=City's 'BTK Strangler' claims he's killed 7|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|via=Kansas.com|date=February 11, 1978|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> The letter was traced to a copy machine at the WSU library, where Rader was a student at the time.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-the-victims-of-btk/176727173/ The Victims of BTK]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. October 25, 1987. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref> Enclosed with the letter was a poem entitled "Oh! Death to Nancy", a parody of the lyrics to the American folk song "O Death".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wichitagov.org/NR/rdonlyres/909034E1-C202-4844-91E2-8231E12AFEFE/0/OhDeathtoNancy.pdf |title=Transcription of poem "Oh! Death to Nancy" |website=wichita.gov|publisher=City of Wichita |location=Wichita, Kansas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603033530/http://www.wichitagov.org/NR/rdonlyres/909034E1-C202-4844-91E2-8231E12AFEFE/0/OhDeathtoNancy.pdf |archive-date=June 3, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref><ref name="douglas2007">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2TKyxh-VUqwC |title=Inside the Mind of BTK: The True Story Behind the Thirty-Year Hunt for the Notorious Wichita Serial Killer |last1=Douglas |first1=John|author-link1=John E. Douglas |last2=Dodd |first2=Johnny |date=November 3, 2008 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Hoboken, New Jersey| isbn=978-0-470-43768-1 |page=83 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724151539/http://books.google.com/books?id=2TKyxh-VUqwC |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== "Oh Anna" (June 1979) ==== On June 15, 1979, two months after the failed murder attempt on Williams, Rader left a letter outside her residence, which read, "Oh Anna, Why Didn't You Appear?", followed by the BTK signature.<ref>Montgomery, Rick (February 27, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-he-just-wanted-his/180998092/ 'He just wanted his story out there']. ''The Kansas City Star''. Retrieved September 13, 2025.</ref> Prior to the communication, it had been privately discussed among detectives that the break-in at her residence was possibly linked with BTK. The envelope also contained a drawing of a nude bound woman, a scarf and two plastic clips. The scarf and clips had been taken in the April break-in.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hirschman |first1=Bill |title=Police Had Indication That Burglar Was BTK |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-police-had-indication/180998571/ |access-date=January 20, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=June 19, 1979 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-police-had-indication/180998571/ 1A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-btk-probe-continues-h/189375148/ 4A] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref>
==== "Oh God He Put Kelli Sherri In The Tub" (January 1988) ==== In January 1988, Mary Fager received an envelope postmarked January 5. The envelope contained a poem entitled "Oh God He Put Kelli Sherri in the Tub" and a picture of a young nude girl bound at the wrists and ankles lying next to a pool or hot tub. Fager's husband, Melvin, and two young daughters had been murdered in the Fager home on December 27, 1987. Her daughters Sherri Fager (10) and Kelli (16) were found in an aboveground hot tub. Sherri had been bound and drowned in the hot tub. Kelli had been strangled and placed nude in the hot tub approximately eight hours after Sherri. Melvin had been shot. Rader has not been connected to these murders, nor does he claim to have committed them, but said he admired the homicide, stating, "Another one prowls the deep abyss of lewd thoughts and deeds." Rader also drew his own depiction of the murders, which was not accurate to the scene.<ref name="Minutaglio30Aug2018" />
=== Investigation === [[File:BTK Now Call the Chief.png|thumb|The subliminal message to Rader that was flashed by KAKE-TV in 1978]] In 1978, with the knowledge that BTK watched KAKE news programming, police decided to flash a subliminal message during one of the station's evening newscasts for a split second. The message stated: "Now call the chief" and featured a drawing of an upside-down pair of glasses, which were found at the Fox crime scene.<ref name="KAKEBTKBack2005" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2005 |title='MSNBC Reports' BTK Killer for May 3 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7736592 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Police hoped the message would influence the perpetrator to turn himself in, but it was unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stroebe |first=Wolfgang |date=May 1, 2012 |title=How Advertisements Manipulate Behavior |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-subtle-power-of-hidden-messages/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref>
In the mid-1980s, with BTK still having not been identified, a new task force of detectives colloquially known as the "Ghostbusters" revamped the investigation based on advances in forensic evidence. Over the span of three years, investigators compared blood and saliva samples with as many as 225 suspects, many of whom no longer lived in Wichita, and all but seven were cleared.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-search-goes-on-for-wi/176340859/ Search goes on for Wichita killer]. ''Salina Journal''. Associated Press. October 30, 1987. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref><ref>Laviana, Hurst (August 15, 2004). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-longshot-odds-dog-poli/177094364/ Longshot odds dog police sifting through DNA data]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 20, 2025.</ref><ref>Davey, Monica (April 4, 2004). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-fear-grips-wichita/177094732/ Fear grips Wichita after word from phantom serial killer]. ''The Oregonian''. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved July 20, 2025.</ref>
The case was still considered active in the 1990s, but investigators described their frustration with diminishing leads and worthless tips. Many former detectives on the case believed the killer was either imprisoned for another crime, was institutionalized, was deceased or possibly found a submissive partner who allowed him to act out his sexual fantasies upon them.<ref>Hirschmann, Bill (January 15, 1994). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-20-years-after-first-i/176354806/ 20 years after first inspiring fear, BTK strangler inspires frustration]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> At a lecture at WSU, former FBI agent Robert Ressler correctly assumed the killer was a graduate student in the criminal justice field.<ref>Lessner, Lori (March 12, 1997). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-speaker-serial-killer/176354136/ Speaker: Serial killers easily blend in]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> In 1998, investigators opted to use geographic profiling in an attempt to locate BTK's possible area of residence.<ref>Finger, Stan (May 7, 1998). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-a-new-look-at-the-btk/176340386/ A new look at the BTK murders]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref>
== Hiatus years == During his "cooling off" periods between murders, Rader would take pictures of himself wearing women's clothes and a female mask while bound. He later admitted that he was pretending to be his victims as part of his sexual fantasy.<ref>{{cite web|first=Aly|last=Vander Hayden|url= https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-time/creepy-bondage-selfies-btk-killer-dennis-rader|title=The Creepy Bondage Selfies The BTK Took In Between His Murders|website=Oxygen|date=August 31, 2018|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> Also during this period, Rader committed numerous burglaries, mostly stealing underwear, jewelry and money.{{sfn|Smith|2006|p=178}} He kept his proclivities well hidden, and was widely regarded in his community as "normal, polite, and well mannered."<ref name="owlcation" /> Rader was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Wichita, and in January 2005 was elected president of the church council.<ref>Wenzl, Roy; Laviana, Hurst (Marc 6, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-who-is-this-man-p7/176933024/ Who is this man?]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. p.7. Retrieved July 18, 2025.</ref><ref name="InvestigationDiscovery" /><ref name="Booth2005">{{cite news |last1=Booth |first1=Jenny |title=Church leader confesses: 'I am BTK serial killer' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/church-leader-confesses-i-am-btk-serial-killer-vl3ggs25s2p?region=global |access-date=May 23, 2025 |work=The Times |date=June 27, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christ-lutheran.org/people/ |title=People at CLC – Christ Lutheran Church – Wichita, Kansas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206044729/http://www.christ-lutheran.org/people/ |archive-date=February 6, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also a Cub Scout leader.<ref name="InvestigationDiscovery" /><ref name="Booth2005"/>
In 1989, Rader was a field operations supervisor for the Wichita area during the 1990 United States census.<ref name="McClellan">{{cite book |last=McClellan |first=Janet |title=Erotophonophilia: Investigating Lust Murder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ObDVYYMCJIC&pg=PA157 |date=May 18, 2010 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |publisher=Cambria Press | location=Amherst, New York| isbn=978-1-62196-929-7 |pages=157, 173 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729165519/http://books.google.com/books?id=1ObDVYYMCJIC&pg=PA157 |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 1991, he became a dogcatcher and compliance officer in Park City.<ref name="InvestigationDiscovery" /><ref name="Dismissed">{{cite news |last1 = Buselt |first1 = Lori O'Toole |title = Park City Council dismisses Rader|url = http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/special_packages/btk/11037860.htm |access-date = January 21, 2015 |work = The Wichita Eagle|date = March 3, 2005|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050305052051/http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/special_packages/btk/11037860.htm|archive-date = March 5, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Neighbor: I Watched BTK Suspect Shoot Dog |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=535740 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |website=ABC News | date=February 27, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000554/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=535740 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Meadows |first1=Bob |last2=Klise |first2=Kate |last3=Comander |first3=Lauren |last4=Grisby |first4=Lorna |last5=Haederle |first5=Michael |title=The BTK Case: the Killer Unmasked? |magazine=People | date=March 21, 2005 |volume=63 |issue=11 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20147134,00.html |access-date=July 11, 2014 |quote=The trait served Rader well in his next job, as a compliance officer for Park City, a Wichita suburb—but his nit-picking won him few friends. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002949/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20147134,00.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In this role, neighbors described Rader as being sometimes overzealous and extremely strict. One neighbor recalled observing Rader in their front lawn with a tape measure trying to determine if their grass was too long;<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-dispatch-neighbors-describe-su/176352880/ Neighbors describe suspect as 'bureaucratic bully']. ''The Daily Dispatch''. Associated Press. February 27, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> another claimed they spotted Rader in their adjoining backyards filming their house;<ref>Twiddy, David (February 28, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal-neighbors-descriptio/176364046/ Neighbors' descriptions reveal two sides of suspect]. ''The Ithaca Journal''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> and a female neighbor complained that Rader killed her dog for no reason.<ref name="SerialKillerDocumentaries2012">*Interview with Misty King; A&E Documentary Special—The BTK Killer Speaks *{{cite web |title=The BTK Killer Speaks (2005) |url=https://www.darkdocumentaries.com/serial-killer-documentaries/the-btk-killer-speaks |website=Serial Killer Documentaries |access-date=June 9, 2023 |date=December 4, 2012}} *{{cite web |author1=jpark |title=Did Society Help the BTK Killer? |url=https://professorramos.blog/2018/08/09/did-society-help-the-btk-killer/ |website=Professor Ramos' Blog |access-date=June 9, 2023 |language=en |date=August 9, 2018}} </ref> Rader served on the Sedgwick County Animal Control Advisory Board from 1996 to 1998.<ref>Wenzl, Roy; Laviana, Hurst (March 6, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-who-is-this-man-p7/176933024/ Who is this man?]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. p.7. Retrieved July 18, 2025.</ref>
Rader's neighbors recalled him taking special pleasure in bullying and harassing single women.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lois |last=Romano |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/03/06/portrait-of-suspect-in-btk-cases-emerging/58d34b28-17d1-41ce-966d-1b9b210bd4e6/ |title=Portrait of Suspect in BTK Cases Emerging |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 6, 2005 |access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> Two women he stalked in the 1980s, and one whom he stalked in the mid-1990s, filed restraining orders against him; one of these women also changed her address to avoid him.<ref name="a&e">A&E Documentary Special – The BTK Killer Speaks</ref>
== Later murders == === Marine Hedge === Marine Hedge (53), whom Rader referred to as "Project Cookie",<ref name="AndersonCooper360-2006"/> lived only a few houses away from his Park City residence and was targeted just to see if Rader could murder one of his neighbors and get away with it. On the night of April 27, 1985, Rader faked a headache that he blamed on inclement weather, affording him the opportunity to leave a Cub Scouts outing on the pretense of driving home.<ref name="CNN18August2005">{{cite news |title=BTK took body to church, says investigator |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/08/18/btk.killings.wed/ |access-date=March 9, 2026 |publisher=CNN |date=August 18, 2005}}</ref> Rader drove to a deserted area where he quickly changed out of his Cub Scouts attire. He then drove to a bowling alley at 21st Street and Woodlawn, where he ordered a beer, swished it in his mouth and splashed it on his face and clothes. Rader called a taxi using a fake slurred drunk voice, then was dropped off one street down from where he and Hedge lived.
Rader cut the phone line to Hedge's home before he broke in and hid inside a bedroom closet.<ref name="Laviana8May1985">{{cite news |last1=Laviana |first1=Hurst |title=Killer Left Many Clues, Police Say |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-killer-left-many-clues/188726793/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=May 8, 1985 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-killer-left-many-clues/188726793/ 1C], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-police-scooping-up-clu/188726877/ 4C] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref><ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007"/> After some waiting, Hedge came home with her boyfriend,<ref>{{cite news |title=Man believes mother victim of serial killer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-parsons-sun-man-believes-mother-vict/196392293/ |access-date=April 27, 2026 |work=The Parsons Sun |agency=Associated Press |date=December 9, 1991 |page=2}}</ref> leading Rader to wait even longer in the closet until after the boyfriend left.<ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007"/> After he was confident Hedge was in bed, he crept out of the closet and quickly flipped on the bathroom light switch. Hedge woke up and began screaming. Rader subdued and handcuffed Hedge before strangling her to death with his bare hands.<ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007"/>
Rader felt compelled to remove Hedge's body from the house to "tie her up and take pictures of her." After finding her car keys and collecting mementos, he stripped and then dragged her body out to her car. He drove her to the Christ Lutheran Church, to which he had a set of keys, dragging her body inside and covering the windows with garbage bags,<ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007"/> ensuring no light would be visible from the outside. Rader then began positioning Hedge's body in the church and taking photographs of her corpse "tied up and in sexually graphic positions."<ref name="Sylvester14Mar2007"/> As daylight approached, Rader cleaned the scene, removed the garbage bags off the windows, turned off the lights and returned Hedge's body to the trunk. Rader drove a short distance away and dumped her body in a remote ditch, covering her with brush.
On May 2, police located Hedge's abandoned car at a Wichita shopping center.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laviana |first1=Hurst |title=Missing Woman's Car Is Found Empty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-missing-womans-car-is/188727114/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=May 3, 1985 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-missing-womans-car-is/188727114/ 1D], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-friends-fear-the-worst/188727476/ 4D] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> On May 5, investigators recovered Hedge's nude body, alongside a pair of knotted pantyhose, from a ditch {{convert|7|mi|km}} from her home.<ref name="Laviana8May1985"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Unmuth |first1=Katherine Leal |title=Victim's son learned of arrest on TV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-victims-son-learned-o/188731377/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 5, 2005 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-victims-son-learned-o/188731377/ 1A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-hedge/188731469/ 7A] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref>
=== Vicki Wegerle === thumb|Photocopy of Vicki Wegerle's driver's license that Rader stole and would later mail to police in 2004 By late 1986, Rader was still an ADT employee. While working in the field, he saw Vicki Lynn Wegerle (28) get into her car. Rader stalked Wegerle for a short time, hearing her playing piano while prowling around outside her house. He subsequently referred to her as "Project Piano".<ref name="AndersonCooper360-2006">{{cite news |title=BTK: Hiding in Plain Sight |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/acd/date/2006-04-12/segment/02 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |work=Anderson Cooper 360° |publisher=CNN |date=April 12, 2006}}</ref>
On September 16, 1986,<ref name="Jenks17September1986">{{cite news |last1=Jenks |first1=John |title=Wichita Woman Found Strangled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-wichita-woman-found-st/188778158/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=September 17, 1986 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-wichita-woman-found-st/188778158/ 1A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-slain-woman-was-pleasa/188778351/ 6A]}}</ref> Rader used an ADT hard-hat and a Southwestern Bell manual to pose as a technician for the telephone company.<ref name="Roehrman25January2019">{{cite news |last1=Roehrman |first1=Michael |title=BTK serial killer Dennis Rader's testimony describing how he killed his victims |url=https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article225087595.html |access-date=January 25, 2026 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=January 25, 2019}}</ref> Rader first gained entry into Wegerle's neighbor's house, and pretended to do telephone work, before leaving and knocking on Wegerle's door, doing so to make Wegerle less suspicious.<ref name="Roehrman25January2019"/> Once inside the house, Rader told Wegerle he had to check the "telephone terminals". She directed him to the phone near the dining room table. Rader made small talk with Wegerle as he pretended to check the phone. After declaring the phone line looked okay, Rader pulled a gun on Wegerle and instructed her to go to the bedroom.<ref name="Roehrman25January2019"/>
Wegerle told Rader that her husband Bill would be home soon, but he persisted. Rader forced her into the bedroom, where she broke free of her bonds and scratched his face hard enough that, at the time of his confession twenty years later, he testified that he "probably still ha[d] the scratch somewhere ... if you looked." The struggle upset Wegerle's dogs, who began barking. Rader grew nervous, because the windows were open and he did not know when Wegerle's husband would be home. Regardless, Rader strangled Wegerle. Despite the lack of time, he took pictures of her body after he killed her for "sexual purposes".
Rader fled with Wegerle's car and passed her husband on the way out;<ref name="Schorn29September2005">{{cite news |last1=Schorn |first1=Daniel |title=BTK: Out of the Shadows |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/btk-out-of-the-shadows/ |access-date=January 13, 2026 |work=CBS News |date=September 29, 2005}}</ref> witnesses reported seeing the car leaving the house at 10:30 a.m.<ref name="Jenks17September1986"/> Rader parked the car in a grocery store parking lot two blocks away and drove back home in his own vehicle. As he passed the Wegerle residence, he saw paramedics responding. Police recovered the vehicle at 12:10 p.m. and suspected the driver was Wegerle's killer.<ref name="Jenks17September1986"/> However, up until Rader confessed to the crimes, some police officers and members of the community believed her husband Bill was the killer and he "lived under a cloud of suspicion" for almost two decades.<ref name="Schorn29September2005"/>
=== Dolores Davis === Rader targeted Dolores Davis (62) after observing her not far from where he lived, referring to her as "Project Dogside" because of dog kennels north of her home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Families Confront BTK In Court |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/families-confront-btk-in-court/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 18, 2005}}</ref> Rader "cased" Davis' residence many times trying to figure out a plan to gain entry.<ref name="Dooley2019" />
On January 18, 1991, the Trappers Scouts were having their annual "dead of winter" outing at Harvey County Park West. Rader went to the park and set up camp before fabricating a story and leaving. Rader drove to his parents' house and changed out of his Trappers Scouts uniform.<ref name="CNNAugust2023" /> He then drove to Park City Baptist Church, to which he had a key in relation to his scouting duties. Rader left the church, walked through adjoining wheat fields and cut through a cemetery to get to Davis' home. The severe cold drove Rader to break into the house by smashing the window rather than trying a quieter method.<ref name="31 Years" />
Between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., Rader arrived at Davis' home, looked through her window blinds and saw her reading. Rader waited until the interior lights had been out for a few minutes before throwing a cinder block through the sliding glass door. Upon being confronted by Davis, Rader told her he would tie her up and leave her but take her car and some food. Davis refused and told him to leave, at which point Rader informed her that he had a gun, a club and a knife on his person; Davis became cooperative.<ref name="Siegel2012" /> Rader obtained the keys to Davis' car and ransacked the kitchen, pretending to look for food. Davis begged for her life, prompting Rader to strangle her with pantyhose. He initially intended to stay and take photos with Davis' body but left sooner than planned when Davis falsely told him she was expecting company.<ref name="Singular2007" />
Rader used a bedspread to drag Davis' body to her car and put her in the trunk. He drove her car to a lake adjacent to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), where he dumped her body in the bushes. He then drove back to Davis' home and threw her keys on the roof, having read that police had looked for the Oteros' keys on the roof of their home. Rader walked back to Park City Baptist Church to pick up his car. Rader drove back to the lake, collected Davis's body and drove out to a rural area, where he dumped the body again underneath a bridge. He elected to leave immediately without taking pictures of the body because he needed to get back to the Trappers Scouts camp before his absence raised suspicion.<ref name="Paulson2018">{{Cite web |last=Paulson |first=Rick Jr |date=February 4, 2018 |title=BTK Confession Court Transcript |url=https://serialkillersinfo.com/documents/btk-confession-court-transcript/ |access-date=March 15, 2025 |website=Serial Killers Info |language=en-US}}</ref>
Davis' body was discovered on February 1, 1991, by fifteen-year-old Nelson Schock after he followed his dog under the bridge.<ref name="Geberth2010">{{cite book |last=Geberth |first=Vernon |title=Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives |date=2010 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4398-2656-0 |location=Boca Raton. Florida |page=628}}</ref>
== List of victims == {{Table alignment}} {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders nowrap col2right" |- ! Name ! Age ! Date of attack ! class="unsortable" | Place of attack ! class="unsortable" | Cause of death |- ! scope="row" | Joseph Otero | 38 | rowspan="4" | {{dts|January 15, 1974}} | rowspan="4" | 803 N. Edgemoor Street,<br/>Wichita, Kansas | rowspan="2" | Suffocated with plastic bag |- ! scope="row" | Joseph Otero Jr. | 9 |- ! scope="row" | Josephine Otero | 11 | {{Not a typo|Hanged}} with rope |- ! scope="row" | Julia Maria Otero | 33 | Strangled with rope |- ! scope="row" | Kathryn Doreen Bright | 21 | rowspan="2" | {{dts|April 4, 1974}} | rowspan="2" | 3217 E. 13th Street N.,<br/>Wichita | Stabbed with knife<ref>{{cite book |last=Dangelo |first=Adrian |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Robert Beattie Nightmare in Wichita: The Hunt for the BTK Strangler |url=https://archive.org/details/RobertBeattieNightmareInWichitaTheHuntForTheBTKStrangler |page=[https://archive.org/details/RobertBeattieNightmareInWichitaTheHuntForTheBTKStrangler/page/n58 47] |access-date=January 19, 2019}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Kevin Bright | 19 | {{N/A}} |- ! scope="row" | Shirley Ruth Vian Relford | 24 | {{dts|March 17, 1977}} | 1311 S. Hydraulic Street,<br/>Wichita | Strangled with rope |- ! scope="row" | Nancy Jo Fox | 25 | {{dts|December 8, 1977}} | 843 S. Pershing Street,<br/>Wichita |Strangled with belt |- ! scope="row" | Marine Wallace Hedge | 53 | {{dts|April 27, 1985}} | 6254 N. Independence Street,<br/>Park City, Kansas |Strangled bare-handed |- ! scope="row" | Vicki Lynn Wegerle | 28 | {{dts|September 16, 1986}} | 2404 W. 13th Street N.,<br/>Wichita |Strangled with nylon stocking |- ! scope="row" | Dolores Earline Johnson Davis | 62 | {{dts|January 19, 1991}} | 6226 N. Hillside Street,<br/>Wichita | Strangled with pantyhose |}
== 2000s developments == By the early 2000s, the BTK investigation was considered a cold case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magnus |first1=Edie |title=31 years of the BTK killer |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8916264 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |date=August 13, 2005}}</ref> Local author Robert Beattie began writing a book about the killings, ''Nightmare in Wichita'', after being shocked to learn that many young people had never heard of the murders.<ref>[https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003742.html ''The Wichita Eagle'', 2005]</ref> In January 2004, ahead of the thirtieth anniversary of the Otero murders, the ''Eagle'' published the story under the headline "BTK case unsolved, 30 years later"; in a 2005 interview, Rader said he saw the story and was "kind of bored", so he decided to resurface as BTK and resume sending letters.<ref>Finger, Stan (August 13, 2005). [https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003767.html 'Bored,' Rader decided to resurface]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref>
=== BTK reemerges === On March 19, 2004,<ref name="cflap3">{{cite news |last1=Hegeman |first1=Roxanne |title=Police: Serial killer mailed more items, possibly from victims |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-police-serial-killer/177092968/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=The Bay City Times |agency=Associated Press |date=February 22, 2005 |page=9A |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> the ''Eagle'' received a letter from someone using the pseudonym "Bill Thomas Killman", claiming that he had murdered Vicki Wegerle in 1986. Enclosed with the message were photographs of the crime scene and a photocopy of Wegerle's driver's license, which had been stolen at the time of the murder.<ref name="AndersonCooper360-2006"/><ref name="vic">{{cite news |title=BTK Strangler resurfaces after 25 years |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/btk-strangler-resurfaces-after-25-years-1-519136 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |work=The Scotsman | date=March 28, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151807/http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/btk-strangler-resurfaces-after-25-years-1-519136 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to this message, it had not been definitively established that Wegerle was killed by BTK.<ref name="vic" /> DNA collected from under her fingernails provided police with previously unknown evidence. They began DNA testing hundreds of men, including police officers and college professors, in an effort to find the killer.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-iola-register-request-for-dna-raisin/176376877/ Request for DNA raising controversy]. ''The Iola Register''. Associated Press. November 22, 2004. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/BTK-serial-killer-caught/2005/02/27/1109439444107.html |work=The Age |title='BTK' serial killer caught |date=February 27, 2005 |access-date=October 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528073227/http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/BTK-serial-killer-caught/2005/02/27/1109439444107.html |archive-date=May 28, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Unmuth, Katherine Leal (June 28, 2005). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-wichita-state-universi/177181977/ Wichita State University was not tied to Rader's actions, officials say]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. Retrieved July 21, 2025.</ref> Altogether, more than 1,300 DNA samples were taken and later destroyed by court order.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-05-31-DNA-BTK_x.htm |work=USA Today |title=Police destroy 1,326 DNA samples taken in BTK investigation |date=May 31, 2006 |access-date=May 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616105137/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-05-31-DNA-BTK_x.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:BTKLetter2004.jpg|thumb|Rader's letter to ''The Wichita Eagle'' under the name "Bill Thomas Killman"]] In May, KAKE received a letter with chapter headings for a proposed book called ''The BTK Story'', fake IDs and a word puzzle.<ref name="media.kansas.com" /> On June 9, a package was found taped to a stop sign at the corner of First and Kansas roads in Wichita, which contained graphic descriptions of the Otero murders and a sketch labeled, "The Sexual Thrill Is My Bill."<ref name="Singular2007">{{cite book |last=Singular |first=Stephen |title=Unholy Messenger: The Life and Crimes of the BTK Serial Killer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BOtccTWu3FYC&pg=PA115 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |date=March 27, 2007 |publisher=Simon & Schuster | isbn=978-1-4165-3154-8 |pages=115–116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724185808/http://books.google.com/books?id=BOtccTWu3FYC&pg=PA115 |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also enclosed was a chapter list for ''The BTK Story'', which mimicked a story about BTK written in 1999 by Court TV crime writer David Lohr. In July, a package dropped into the return slot at a public library contained more material, including the claim that BTK was responsible for the death of nineteen-year-old Jake Allen in Argonia, Kansas, earlier that month. This claim was false, and that death was ruled a suicide.<ref name="31 Years">{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Tim |title=After 31 years and 10 deaths pieces fall in place |url=http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003747.html |access-date=January 21, 2015 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=July 10, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229201313/http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003747.html |archive-date=December 29, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In his correspondence, Rader revealed considerable information about himself to detectives, including that he was former military and had a fascination with trains. Conversely, he also gave investigators misleading or false information, claiming he was born in 1939 and moved around frequently as a child.<ref>{{cite news |title=Police release clues on elusive Kansas serial killer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/albany-democrat-herald-police-release-cl/176349568/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |agency=Associated Press |date=November 30, 2004 |page=A9 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> After his capture, Rader admitted under questioning that he had been planning to kill again, that he had set a date (October 2004) and was stalking his intended victim.<ref name="a&e" /> That month, a manila envelope was dropped into a UPS box in Wichita. It contained many cards with images of terror and bondage of children pasted on them, a poem threatening the life of lead investigator Lieutenant Ken Landwehr and a false autobiography with many details about Rader's life. These details were later released to the public.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Saunokonoko|url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/btk-killer-dennis-rader-how-the-serial-killer-was-caught-kansas-crime-news/4bb6d60f-1d15-47df-9c13-8d79d82d0a6b|title=How vanity and a rogue Microsoft Word document led to the capture of evil 'BTK' serial killer|website=9news.com.au|date= August 28, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> In December, Wichita police discovered another package in Wichita's Murdock Park, which contained the driver's license of Nancy Fox, which was noted as stolen from the crime scene, as well as a doll that was symbolically bound at the hands and feet with a plastic bag tied over its head.<ref>{{cite book |last=Girard |first=James E. |title=Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EXJHAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA417 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |date=2013 |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers |location=Burlington, Massachusetts| isbn=978-1-4496-9180-6 |page=417 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718025951/http://books.google.com/books?id=EXJHAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA417 |archive-date=July 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="31 Years" />
In January 2005, Rader attempted to leave a cereal box in the bed of a pickup truck at a Home Depot in Wichita, but the box was discarded by the truck's owner.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Home Depot where BTK left one of his letters| date=October 12, 2022 |url=https://oddstops.com/location.php?id=271|access-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> It was later retrieved from the trash after Rader asked what had become of it in a later message. Surveillance tape of the parking lot from that date revealed a distant figure driving a black Jeep Cherokee leaving the box in the pickup. In February, more postcards were sent to KAKE, and another cereal box left at a rural location was found to contain another bound doll.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Hansen|title=How the Cops Caught BTK: Playing to a serial killer's ego helped crack the case|url=https://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/how_the_cops_caught_btk|newspaper=ABA Journal|publisher=American Bar Association|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=May 1, 2006|access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref>
In his letters to police, Rader asked whether his writings, if put on a floppy disk, could be traced. Police answered his question in a classified ad posted in the ''Eagle'', saying, "Rex, it will be ok."<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/176741458/ ''The Wichita Eagle'' Thu, February 3, 2005].</ref> On February 16, Rader sent a purple 1.44-megabyte Memorex floppy disk to Wichita station KSAS-TV.<ref name="probe" /><ref name="campnovel" /> Also enclosed were a letter, a gold-colored necklace with a large medallion and a photocopy of the cover of ''Rules of Prey'', a 1989 novel by John Sandford about a serial killer.<ref name="campnovel">{{cite news |first=John|last=Sandford|url=http://www.johnsandford.org/articles050303.html |title=Camp novel crops up in the BTK case |newspaper=Star-Tribune|date=March 3, 2005 |via=johnsandford.org|access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509092637/http://www.johnsandford.org/articles050303.html |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Surveillance of Rader === Police found metadata embedded in a deleted Microsoft Word document that was, unknown to Rader, still stored on the floppy disk. It was a church meeting agenda written and edited by Rader himself.<ref>{{cite book |last=Girard |first=James E. |title=Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EXJHAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA417 |access-date=January 21, 2015 |date=2013 |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers | isbn=978-1-4496-9180-6 |page=417 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718025951/http://books.google.com/books?id=EXJHAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA417 |archive-date=July 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The metadata contained the words "Christ Lutheran Church" and the document was marked as last modified by "Dennis".<ref name="trutv">{{cite web|title=BTK Kansas Serial Killer – Full BTK Story|website=Crime Library|url=http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/unsolved/btk/index_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615015844/http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/unsolved/btk/index_1.html |archive-date=June 15, 2008 }}</ref> An Internet search determined that a "Dennis Rader" was president of the church council.<ref name="probe">{{cite news |title=Cops Make Arrest in BTK Probe |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/cops-make-arrest-in-btk-probe/ |access-date=July 11, 2014 |publisher=Fox News|location=New York City|date=February 27, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715092621/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/02/27/cops-make-arrest-in-btk-probe/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> When investigators drove by Rader's home, a black Jeep Cherokee was parked outside.<ref name="Eagle20070314">{{cite news |last=Potter |first=Tim |title=Police tell details of BTK hunt |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 14, 2007 |url=http://www.kansas.com/2005/07/16/19136/police-tell-details-of-btk-hunt.html |access-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112034643/http://www.kansas.com/2005/07/16/19136/police-tell-details-of-btk-hunt.html |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was strong circumstantial evidence against Rader, but police needed more direct evidence to detain him.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Tim|last1=Potter|first2=Stan|last2=Finger|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/jul/10/police_detail_capture_btk/ |title=Policeman details capture of BTK killer |newspaper=Lawrence Journal-World|date=July 10, 2005|access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229125025/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/jul/10/police_detail_capture_btk/ |archive-date=December 29, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Police obtained a warrant to test a pap smear taken from Rader's daughter at the Kansas State University medical clinic. DNA tests showed a "familial match" between the pap smear and the sample from Wegerle's fingernails; this indicated that the killer was closely related to Rader's daughter and, combined with the other evidence, was enough for police to arrest Rader.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nakashima |first1=Ellen |title=From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/20/AR2008042002388.html |access-date=January 21, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post | date=April 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204143344/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/20/AR2008042002388.html |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Arrest == thumb|270x270px|Screenshot of Rader during his interrogation Rader was arrested while driving near his Park City home shortly after noon on February 25, 2005.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Valerie |last1=Nye |first2=Kathy |last2=Barco |title=True Stories of Censorship Battles in America's Libraries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BihlxYtVEOkC&pg=PA133 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |year=2012 |publisher=American Library Association | isbn=978-0-8389-1130-3 |page=133 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724011702/http://books.google.com/books?id=BihlxYtVEOkC&pg=PA133 |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> An officer asked, "Mr. Rader, do you know why you're going downtown?" Rader replied, "Oh, I have suspicions why."<ref>{{cite news |first=Edie |last=Magnus |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8916264/page/6/ |title=31 years of the BTK killer |publisher=MSNBC|date=August 24, 2005 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026145742/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8916264/page/6 |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="fox">{{cite book |last1=Fox |first1=James Alan |url=https://archive.org/details/extreme_fox_2012_00_1652 |title=Extreme Killing: Understanding Serial and Mass Murder |last2=Levin |first2=Jack |date=March 14, 2011 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-4129-8031-9 |location=Thousand Oaks, California |page=[https://archive.org/details/extreme_fox_2012_00_1652/page/11 11] |author-link1=James Alan Fox |author-link2=Jack Levin (sociologist) |access-date=July 11, 2014 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Officers from the Wichita Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched Rader's home and vehicle, seizing evidence including computer equipment, a pair of black pantyhose retrieved from a shed and a cylindrical container. Christ Lutheran Church, Rader's office and the main branch of the Park City library were also searched.<ref name="Bardsley" /> At a press conference the next morning, Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams announced, "The bottom line: BTK is arrested."<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/26/btk.investigation/ |title=CNN.com – Report: Daughter of BTK suspect alerted police – Apr 19, 2005 |publisher=CNN |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045633/http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/26/btk.investigation/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Samuelson |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/feb/27/wichita_police_btk/ |title=Wichita police: 'BTK is arrested' |work=Lawrence Journal-World | publisher=Ogden Newspapers Inc. |location=Lawrence, Kansas |date=February 27, 2005 |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522145640/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/feb/27/wichita_police_btk/ |archive-date=May 22, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Under questioning, Rader asked about the death penalty in Kansas and inquired several times about what his potential sentence would end up being. He further asked whether he would be assigned to a "special section" of prison or among the "loonies" in the general population. At one point, Rader told an officer to put "BTK" on the lid of his cup before putting it in the refrigerator, rather than his own name.<ref name="CNN27Jun2005"/>
== Legal proceedings == On February 28, 2005, Rader was charged in the Sedgwick County District Court with ten counts of first-degree murder.<ref name="charges">{{cite web |url=http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/btk/karader30105inf.html |title=BTK Serial Killer Suspect's Charges – State of Kansas v. Dennis Rader (page 6) |date=February 28, 2005 |work=findlaw.com |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416080223/http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/btk/karader30105inf.html |archive-date=April 16, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon afterward, the Associated Press cited an anonymous source alleging that Rader had confessed to other murders in addition to those with which he had been officially connected.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=2857 |date=March 1, 2005 |title='BTK' Serial Killer in Custody, Claims Police |access-date=June 2, 2008 |publisher=St. Petersburg Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409111913/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=2857 |archive-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref> However, the Sedgwick County district attorney denied the story, yet refused to say whether Rader had made any confessions or if investigators were looking into his possible involvement in more unsolved killings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-02-27-wichita-killings_x.htm |date=February 27, 2005 |newspaper=USA Today|agency=Associated Press |title=BTK Suspect Said to Confess to 6 Slayings |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527212129/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-02-27-wichita-killings_x.htm |archive-date=May 27, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 5, news sources claimed to have verified by multiple sources that Rader had confessed to the ten murders he was charged with, but no others.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Stan |last1=Finger |first2=Tim |last2=Potter |url=http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,600116654,00.html |title=Rader has admitted to killings, daily says |work=Deseret News | publisher=Deseret News Company |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |date=March 6, 2005 |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108181137/http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,600116654,00.html |archive-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 1, Rader's bail was set at US$10 million, and a public defender was appointed to represent him.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/02/btk.investigation/index.html |title=Victim's brother describes killing linked to BTK |date=March 2, 2005 |publisher=CNN |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010053741/http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/02/btk.investigation/index.html |archive-date=October 10, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 3, the judge entered not guilty pleas on Rader's behalf, as Rader did not speak at his arraignment.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Dana |last1=Strongin |first2=Hurst |last2=Laviana |url=http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003691.html |title=Families of BTK victims prepare to wait |work=The Wichita Eagle | location=Wichita, Kansas |date=May 5, 2005 |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130940/http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article1003691.html |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Conviction and sentencing === On June 27, the scheduled trial date, Rader changed his plea to guilty. He coldly described the murders, which he referred to as "projects",<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-a-killer-confesses/176726201/ A KILLER CONFESSES]. ''The Wichita Eagle''. June 28, 2005. Retrieved July 15, 2025.</ref> in detail to the court and made no apologies.<ref>{{cite web|title=BTK Confession, full version|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvWOje46Xp8|via=YouTube| date=February 26, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BTK CONFESSION (DENNIS L RADER) – COURT TRANSCRIPT|url=https://serialkillersinfo.com/documents/btk-confession-court-transcript/|work=Serial Killers Info|date=February 4, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anger-relief-over-btk-confessions/ |title=Anger, Relief Over BTK Confessions |publisher=CBS News |date=June 28, 2005 |access-date=June 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906234320/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/28/national/main704663.shtml |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hansen |first1=Mark |title=How the Cops Caught BTK |url=http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/how_the_cops_caught_btk/ |website=ABA Journal | publisher=American Bar Association | access-date=January 21, 2015 |date=April 21, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121044855/http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/how_the_cops_caught_btk/ |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Leigh|last=Sales|title=US Serial Killer pleads guilty to ten murders |url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1402337.htm |access-date=January 21, 2015 |work=The World Today | date=June 28, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210013457/http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1402337.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
At Rader's August 18 sentencing, victims' families made statements, after which Rader apologized in a rambling thirty-minute monologue<ref>{{cite web|title=BTK Dennis Rader's Sentencing Statement|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy_DC-OzriE|via=YouTube| date=February 26, 2014 }}</ref> that the prosecutor likened to an Academy Awards acceptance speech.<ref name="who" /> His statement has been described as an example of an often-observed phenomenon among psychopaths: the inability to understand the emotional content of language.<ref>{{cite book|quote=For most people, emotional words and scenes lead to heightened activity in the amygdala as the emotional sense of the situation overcomes them, often shutting down higher functions. For psychopaths, the amygdala responds less powerfully to the same items and when it does respond it does so in step with higher cortical activity. The cortex is the brain area associated with rational thought and interpretive functions. So, psychopaths presented with an emotional stimulus have to think about its meaning and rationally make sense of it in order to parse their response. They do not feel the effects of others' fear, sadness, or pain, so they have to work to interpret their environment.<br />This characteristic appears clearly in the allocution of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer. Standing in court before the judge, the victims' families, and the assembled press, Rader listened as the judge read out the details of his offenses. Without blinking an eye, Rader stopped the judge at several junctures to correct some minor detail. Unmoved by the enormity of his crimes or the responses of the people gathered there, Rader makes almost casual responses to the facts in the case; at one point making mouth noises as he sought a precise fact. This is a man who cannot even begin to appreciate the impact he had on others.|first=Richard M.|last=Gray|date=2010|chapter=Psychopathy and the Will to Power: Ted Bundy and Dennis Rader|editor-first=Sara|editor-last=Waller|title=Serial Killers – Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing|location=Oxford, England|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|isbn=978-1-4443-4140-9|pages=198–99}}</ref> Rader was sentenced to ten consecutive life sentences, with a minimum of 175 years.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Sam |last=Coates |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/18/AR2005081800201.html |title=Rader Gets 175 Years For BTK Slayings |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 19, 2005 |access-date=February 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024104531/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/18/AR2005081800201.html |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kansas did not enforce the death penalty at the time of the murders.<ref name="who">{{cite news |url=http://www.whotv.com/global/story.asp?s=8945 |title=BTK killer sentenced to 10 consecutive life terms |date=August 19, 2005 |publisher=WHO-TV (AP) |access-date=August 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809084420/http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?s=8945 |archive-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> On August 19, Rader was moved to the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Prospect Township, Butler County, Kansas.<ref name="kdoc0083707">{{cite web |url=http://www.dc.state.ks.us/kasper/offenders?lastname=rader&firstname=dennis&middlename=lynn |title=Dennis Rader's listing on the Kansas Department of Corrections ''Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository'' site |access-date=June 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071125191551/http://www.dc.state.ks.us/kasper/offenders?lastname=rader&firstname=dennis&middlename=lynn |archive-date=November 25, 2007}}</ref>
=== Psychological evaluation === Rader's defense lawyers hired Massachusetts psychologist Robert Mendoza to conduct a psychological evaluation and determine if an insanity-based defense might be viable. Mendoza conducted an interview after Rader had pleaded guilty on June 27, 2005. Mendoza diagnosed Rader with narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive and antisocial personality disorders: he observed that Rader has a grandiose sense of self, a belief that he is "special" and therefore entitled to special treatment; a pathological need for attention and admiration; a preoccupation with maintaining rigid order and structure; and a complete lack of empathy.<ref>Ramsland, pp. 217–218.</ref>
The videotape of Mendoza's interview ended up being broadcast on ''Dateline NBC''. NBC News claimed Rader knew the interview might be televised, but this was false according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office. Rader mentioned the interview during his sentencing statement. On October 25, 2005, Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline filed a petition to sue Mendoza and Tali Waters, co-owners of Cambridge Forensic Consultants LLC, for breach of contract, claiming that they intended to benefit financially from the use of information obtained through their involvement in Rader's defense. On May 10, 2007, Mendoza settled the case for US$30,000 with no admission of wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news |title=BTK Psychologist to Pay State |url=http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/7446541.html |agency=Associated Press | publisher=WIBW |date=May 10, 2007 |access-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211065249/http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/7446541.html |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Aftermath == Rader talked about innocuous topics such as the weather during the forty-minute drive to El Dorado but began to cry when the victims' families' statements from the court proceedings were broadcast on the radio. He now lives in solitary confinement for his own protection, which will likely continue until his death.<ref name="SerialKillerDocumentaries2012" />
In April 2006, the Kansas Department of Corrections cited Rader's good behavior in their decision to grant him privileges such as allowing him to possess a television set, listen to the radio, read books and possess art supplies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2006 |title=BTK Killer Gets Extra Jail Perks |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/btk-killer-gets-extra-jail-perks/ |access-date=March 14, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> Prosecutors had argued in favor of not giving such privileges, saying images of women and children along with news accounts of his murders would allow him to relive his sadistic fantasies.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12454089 Prison restrictions eased for BTK killer]. ''NBC News''. Associated Press. April 23, 2006. Retrieved June 7, 2025.</ref>
In 2019, Rader's daughter, Kerri Rawson, published her book ''A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming'' where she discusses Rader's role in her childhood. In an 2019 interview, Kerri stated she writes to her father and has forgiven him, but still struggles to reconcile her "normal" childhood with the knowledge that she was raised by BTK.<ref name="Dooley2019">{{cite web|first1=Sean|last1=Dooley|first2=Lauren|last2=Effron|first3=Jenner|last3=Smith|title=BTK serial killer's daughter: 'We were living our normal life. ... Then everything upended on us'|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/btk-serial-killers-daughter-living-normal-life-upended/story?id=60428529|website=ABC News|date=January 22, 2019|access-date=January 30, 2021|language=en}}</ref> Rawson visited Rader in 2023 and reported him as "rotting" and "unhappy", reporting that "he's lost like seven inches and he's in a wheelchair."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Gina|last=Salamone|date=August 25, 2023 |title=BTK's Daughter Visits Him for First Time in Years, Says He's "Rotting" as Authorities Probe Possible Links to Even More Murders |url=https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/btk-dennis-raders-daughter-says-hes-rotting-in-prison |access-date=March 14, 2025 |website=Oxygen.com |language=en-US}}</ref> At the 2024 Crime Con, Kerri presented excerpts from her father's journal which suggested he had sexually abused her when she was a child.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://slate.com/life/2024/08/crime-murder-mystery-petito-btk-jonbenet-interview.html | title=Her Dad Was the BTK Killer. Their Daughter Was Gabby Petito. Why Would They Ever Agree to This? | magazine=Slate | date=August 14, 2024 | last1=Winkie | first1=Luke }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Katie|last=Hawkinson|url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/btk-killer-daughter-abuse-journal-entries-b2555395.html|title=BTK killer's daughter confronts him behind bars for abusing her when she was too young to remember|website=The Independent|date=June 2, 2024|accessdate=July 3, 2025}}</ref>
Rawson stated in an interview that Rader had been disciplined by prison officials for corresponding with "fans", including sending personal items such as clothing, glasses, and artwork featuring BTK symbols.<ref name="indep2023">{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Bevan |title=BTK Killer’s daughter sensed her father in the Idaho murders. Bryan Kohberger’s arrest took her breath away |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/bryan-kohberger-btk-killer-dennis-rader-idaho-murders-b2274519.html |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=The Independent |date=6 January 2023}}</ref>
=== Further investigations === Following Rader's arrest, police in Wichita and several surrounding cities investigated unsolved cases in cooperation with state and federal authorities. They particularly focused on cases from after 1994, when the death penalty was reinstated in Kansas. Law enforcement in neighboring states also examined cold cases that matched Rader's pattern. After exhaustive investigations, none of these agencies discovered any additional murders definitively attributable to Rader, supporting early suspicions that he would have claimed responsibility for any further crimes he had committed. Consequently, the ten known murders were believed to be the only cases for which Rader was responsible, although Wichita police are fairly certain he stalked and researched several other potential victims. This includes one individual who was spared when Rader called off his planned attack upon arriving near the target's home, due to the presence of nearby construction crews. In his police interview, Rader stated, "there are a lot of lucky people", indicating that he had considered and developed various levels of murder plans for other victims.<ref name="InsideStory" />
In August 2023, the Associated Press reported that authorities discovered "possible trophies" from victims after launching a search of evidence recovered from Rader's home, resulting in the investigation of his potential involvement in additional unsolved disappearances and murders.<ref name="APNews20230823">{{Cite web |first1=Heather|last1=Hollingsworth|first2=Summer|last2=Ballentine|date=August 23, 2023|title=Oklahoma authorities name the BTK killer as the 'prime suspect' in at least two unsolved cases |url=https://apnews.com/article/btk-serial-killer-investigation-161ee1a8d405a0a2d6ae87db85d643af|access-date=August 24, 2023|work=Associated Press News|language=en}}</ref> Among the cases was the disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney (16) in Osage, Oklahoma, on June 23, 1976, when she was last seen leaving a local laundromat.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cynthia Dawn Kinney|url=https://charleyproject.org/case/cynthia-dawn-kinney|access-date=August 24, 2023|agency=The Charley Project|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cynthia Dawn Kinney|url=https://oklahomacoldcases.org/cynthia-d-kinney/|access-date=August 24, 2023|agency=Oklahoma Cold Cases|language=en}}</ref> Osage Sheriff Eddie Virden stated that Rader had been identified as a prime suspect after it was determined that he had participated in Cub Scout events in the area and had included the phrase "bad wash day" in his writings. A bank across the street from the laundromat was also having ADT alarms installed when Kinney went missing; Rader was a regional installer for ADT at the time. Furthermore, Rader has allegedly claimed to have "fantasized about kidnapping a girl from a laundromat".<ref name="CNNAugust2023">{{Cite web|title=Authorities search BTK serial killer's former property in connection with 1976 missing person case and other unsolved cases|date=August 23, 2023 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/22/us/btk-serial-killer-dennis-rader-kansas-property-search/index.html|access-date=August 24, 2023|publisher=CNN|language=en}}</ref> Rader has denied involvement in the murder, which Virden believes is due to possibly being tried in Oklahoma and potentially being given the death penalty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Killman |first1=Curtis |title=Sheriff details investigation into BTK killer as suspect in Oklahoma girl's disappearance |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/crime-courts/sheriff-details-investigation-into-btk-killer-as-suspect-in-oklahoma-girls-disappearance/article_8f6331d6-4ce6-11ee-8c2c-9b79c2f40897.html |access-date=September 10, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=September 10, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
Rader had also been named publicly as the prime suspect in the 1990 murder of twenty-two-year-old Shawna Garber in McDonald County, Missouri.<ref name="APNews20230823" /> However, cold case investigators eventually concluded a different killer was responsible for her death.<ref name="kzrg">{{Cite news|last=Albright|first=Ty|title=Southwest Missouri cold case solved, suspect deceased|date=March 21, 2024|url=https://www.newstalkkzrg.com/2024/03/21/southwest-missouri-cold-case-solved-suspect-deceased/|access-date=February 20, 2024|publisher=KZRG News|language=en}}</ref>
== In media == Forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland compiled ''Confession of a Serial Killer'' from her five-year correspondence with Rader.<ref name="Ramsland">Ramsland, pg. 1</ref> Michael H. Stone, a forensic psychiatrist from Columbia University, analyzed Rader's case in his 2009 book ''The Anatomy of Evil'' by using his scale of evil.<ref name="cbsnews1">{{cite news |last1=Leibowitz |first1=Barry |title=Book 'Em: The Anatomy of Evil |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/book-em-the-anatomy-of-evil/ |access-date=19 May 2026 |work=CBS News |date=7 August 2009}}</ref>
Documentaries and TV specials: * KSNW documented the then-unidentified BTK killer in the 2002 series, "BTK: A New Theory".<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/176351088/ KAB awards]. ''The Wichita Eagle'' September 18, 2002. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> * ''Born to Kill?'' covered Rader's crimes and personal life in season 4, episode 6, "Dennis Rader: The Bind and Torture Killer (BTK)".<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1692535/episodes/?year=2013 IMDb]. March 14, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2025.</ref> * The Netflix docuseries ''Catching Killers'' went over the BTK case on Season 2, Episode 1.<ref>{{Citation |title=Bind. Torture. Kill: BTK |date=February 9, 2022 |work=Catching Killers |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18080230/ |access-date=March 14, 2025 |others=Kelly Otis, Dana Gouge, Tim Relph}}</ref> * The 2025 Netflix documentary ''My Father, the BTK Killer'', produced and directed by Skye Borgman, focuses on the devastating consequences for Dennis Rader's family following his arrest and confession of multiple killings, especially on the life of his daughter, Kerri Rawson.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moorfoot |first1=Addie |title='Unknown Number' Director Skye Borgman Talks Kendra Licari and Releasing Three Netflix Docs in Seven Weeks |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/unknown-number-skye-borgman-kendra-licari-netflix-docs-1236543602/ |access-date=April 7, 2026 |work=Variety |date=October 14, 2025}}</ref> Multiple creative works draw on the case: * Stephen King has said his novella ''A Good Marriage'', and the film based on it, were inspired by the BTK killer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Roy |last=Wenzl |title=Daughter of Wichita serial killer BTK; Stephen King 'exploiting my father's 10 victims' |url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/state/kansas/article2254570.html |work=The Kansas City Star |date=September 26, 2014 |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317065442/http://www.kansascity.com/news/state/kansas/article2254570.html |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> * Novelist Thomas Harris has said that the character of Francis Dolarhyde in his 1981 novel ''Red Dragon'' is partially based on the then-unidentified BTK killer.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Beattie |first1=Robert |title=Nightmare in Wichita |date=2005 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=New York City |isbn=0-451-21738-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/nightmareinwichi0000beat }}</ref> *The 2004 ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' episode "Scavenger" is based on this case.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parade.com/1085380/jessicasager/best-law-order-svu-episodes/|title = Ahead of the Season 22 Premiere, We Ranked the 30 Best Law & Order: SVU Episodes Ever|date = November 12, 2020}}</ref> * Episode 15 of season 1 (2006) of ''Criminal Minds'', titled "Unfinished Business", is based on Rader's murders.<ref>{{cite book|first=Katherine|last=Ramsland|author-link=Katherine Ramsland|title=The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds|publisher=Penguin Publishing|location=New York City|date=2010|asin=B0030CHFQC|page=36}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Marilyn|last=La Jeunesse, Marilyn|url=https://www.businessinsider.my/criminal-minds-episodes-real-life-crimes-2019-2/|title=11 episodes of 'Criminal Minds' that were likely inspired by real-life crimes|magazine=Business Insider|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=December 8, 2019|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208082151/https://www.businessinsider.my/criminal-minds-episodes-real-life-crimes-2019-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * A character based on Rader played by actor Sonny Valicenti appears in the Netflix series ''Mindhunter''.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Amy Renée |last1=Leiker |title=That creepy ADT guy on 'Mindhunter'? He's based on a Kansas serial killer |url=http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article179181456.html |newspaper=The Wichita Eagle | date=October 16, 2017 |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027024616/http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article179181456.html |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Joanna |last1=Robinson |title=Mindhunter: Who is the ADT Killer from Kansas? |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/10/mindhunter-who-is-adt-killer-kansas-dennis-rader-season-2-wichita-park-city |work=Vanity Fair |date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019025914/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/10/mindhunter-who-is-adt-killer-kansas-dennis-rader-season-2-wichita-park-city |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> * The antagonist from the movie ''The Clovehitch Killer'' was inspired by Dennis Rader.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/clovehitch-killer-btk-murders-true-story-similarities/|title=Is The Clovehitch Killer Based On The BTK Murders True Story?|date=May 10, 2021|website=Screen Rant|access-date=November 11, 2021}}</ref> * Thrash metal band Exodus wrote a song entitled "BTK" for their album ''Blood In, Blood Out'', which was inspired by Rader's crimes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/exodus/btk |title=Lyrics for BTK by Exodus |publisher=Songfacts |access-date=February 13, 2022}}</ref> * Japanese doom metal band Church of Misery has a song titled "B.T.K" on their 2013 studio album ''Thy Kingdom Scum''. * The song "Raider II" from Steven Wilson's 2011 album ''Grace for Drowning'' is written primarily about Rader's murders.<ref>[http://www.unsungmelody.com/concert-reviews/the-raven-that-refused-to-sing-steven-wilson-at-park-west-theater-in-chicago/ The Raven that Refused to Sing – Concert Review]</ref> * There is a line referring to BTK in the Indian Telugu film, ''HIT: The Third Case'', as the antagonist's murders were planned similarly to his in the film.
== See also == * {{anl|I Survived BTK|''I Survived BTK''}} * List of serial killers by number of victims * List of serial killers in the United States {{clear}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== Further reading == * Beattie, Robert. ''Nightmare in Wichita: The Hunt for the BTK Strangler''. New American Library, 2005. {{ISBN|0-451-21738-1}}. * Davis, Jeffrey M. ''The Shadow of Evil: Where Is God in a Violent World?''. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1996. {{ISBN|0-7872-1981-9}}. (Davis is the son of BTK victim Dolores Davis.) * Douglas, John E. ''Inside the Mind of BTK: The True Story Behind Thirty Years of Hunting for the Wichita Serial Killer''. Jossey Bass Wiley, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-7879-8484-7}}. * Ramsland, Katherine. Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer. Foredge, 2016. {{ISBN|978-1-5126-0152-7}}. * Rawson, Kerri. ''A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming''. Thomas Nelson, 2019. {{ISBN|978-1400201754}}. * Singular, Stephen. ''Unholy Messenger: The Life and Crimes of the BTK Serial Killer''. Scribner Book Company, 2006. {{ISBN|1-4001-5252-6}}. * Smith, Carlton. ''The BTK Murders: Inside the "Bind Torture Kill" Case that Terrified America's Heartland''. St. Martin's True Crime, 2006. {{ISBN|0-312-93905-1}}. * Wenzl, Roy; Potter, Tim; Laviana, Hurst; Kelly, L. ''Bind, Torture, Kill: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Next Door''. HC an imprint of HarperCollins, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-06-124650-0}}. * Welch, Larry. ''Beyond Cold Blood: The KBI from Ma Barker to BTK''. University Press of Kansas, 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-7006-1885-9}}.
== External links == {{Commons category|Dennis Rader}} {{Wikiquote|Dennis Rader}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110302140523/http://documentarystorm.com/crime/b-t-k-the-worlds-most-elusive-serial-killer/ B.T.K. – The Worlds Most Elusive Serial Killer] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050404013301/http://sedgwickcounty.org/da/Dennis_Rader/index.html Sedgwick County 18th Judicial District collection of legal documents on the Rader case] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162454/http://www.kansas.com/btk/archive/ ''The Wichita Eagle'' Collection of articles and videos about BTK] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050422012107/http://www.kake.com/searchresults?searchKeywords=BtK§ion=%2F KAKE Collection of articles and videos on BTK] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930043302/http://www.dc.state.ks.us/kasper/offenders?lastname=rader&firstname=dennis&middlename=lynn Dennis Rader's listing on the Kansas Department of Corrections ''Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository'' site], including current location and disciplinary actions. * [https://archive.today/20140711200210/http://www.investigationdiscovery.com/famous-cases/videos/crimes-that-shook-the-world-finding-btk.htm "Finding BTK" Investigation Discovery] * [http://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/btk/article10809929.html When your father is the BTK serial killer, forgiveness is not tidy]
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