True Crime Friday: Dennis Rader, the BTK Serial Killer

Dennis Lynn Rader was born on March 9, 1945. His method of killing was bind, torture, kill, hence the moniker of BTK. Dennis Rader murdered at least ten people in Wichita, Kansas between the years of 1974 and 1991. Rader attempted to kill men and did kill a man but eventually settled on women and children as easier targets. Rader like most serial killers would take souvenirs from his victim’s homes such as underwear, driver's licenses, and other personal items. Dennis Rader sent taunting letters to police and media outlets outlining his crimes. He took a thirteen year hiatus but returned to the spotlight in 2004 of which eventually led to his arrest as the elusive killer BTK.

The Early Childhood of Dennis Rader

His parents were Dorothea Mae Rader and William Elvin Rader. Rader was the eldest of four sons. Rader stated that he felt ignored by his mother even though both of his parents worked long hours to support their family. Rader said he had fantasies about torture and killing at a young age. When he would watch cartoons he would become sexually aroused when a woman was bound on a train track. He would often dress in women’s clothing to aid in his sexual fantasies. There was no recorded abuse of Rader or his siblings. There may have been neglect since both parents worked around the clock trying to take of their children.

Rader worked odd jobs and then served in the Armed Forces. Once discharged he worked in the meat department at the supermarket where his mother was a bookkeeper. Rader married in 1971 and had two children. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Electronic Engineering in 1973. He then went back to school earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Rader got a job working for ADT Security Services where he installed security alarms. Many of his clients were concerned homeowners seeking security from his own killings as BTK.

In 1991, Dennis Rader became a compliance officer for the State of Kansas. His main duty was as a supervisor for the dog catching department. Complaints came from residents that Rader was overzealous and extremely strict. He was seen as a bully mostly harassing women. Complaints were filed against Rader for stalking two women. The women filed restraining orders against Rader. Rader was accused of killing a neighbor’s dog for no reason. Rader was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. He was eventually elected president of the church council. He was also a Club Scout leader and would frequently use being with the scouts as his alibi when a BTK killing was discovered.

The Victims of Dennis Rader

• Joseph Otero Sr., 38
• Julia Maria Otero, (33)
• Joseph Otero II, (9)
• Josephine Otero, (11)
• Kathryn Bright, (21)
• Shirley Ruth Relford, 30
• Nancy Jo Fox, 25
• Marine Hedge, 53
• Vicki Wegerle, 28
• Dolores Davis, 62

Suspected Victims of Dennis Rader

• Cynthia Dawn Kinney, 16
• Shawna Beth Garber, 22

The Survivors of Dennis Rader

• Kevin Bright, 19
• Shirley Ruth Relford three children
• Anna Williams, 63
• Vicki Wegerle, husband and two children

The victim’s suffer so much at the hands of these serial killers. I have seen several documentaries about how the families of these victims get shunned by their communities so essentially they are victimized twice. Vicki Wegerle’s husband was suspected of her murdered even though BTK was active at the time. If BTK had not claimed the murder of Vickie Wegerle an innocent man could have gone to prison. Her husband and children became pariahs and lost friends over the murder that BTK had committed.

When Rader was in court the judge asked him why he had taken a hiatus. Rader stated as though he was talking to friend that he grew too old to carry bodies. So he stalked his victims to ensure no one would be there to save them while he was in their homes. He is truly an evil man. He killed one of his neighbors and to keep the police at bay he took her to a church and left her body posed on the back parking lot. He sent a letter to the police asking if he could use a floppy disk instead of writing letters. The police told him he could but what Rader did not realize is the police could trace the disk. When he sent the disk back the police traced it to a Dennis at Christ Lutheran Church where he was the president of the church council. The police also requested a copy of his daughter’s exam so they could test the DNA. The test came back showing Rader as the father and as the BTK serial killer.

Lady Justice

Author Robert Beattle began writing a book about the killings. Beattle was shocked that many young people he spoke to had never heard of the BTK case. Rader heard about the book and decided to re-emerge as BTK in 2004. Rader was arrested while driving near his home in Park City shortly after noon on February 25, 2005. He is serving his sentence in a prison in the state of Kansas.

Reference

Wikipedia - Dennis Rader
CBS News - BTK Victims
BTK killer Dennis Rader is potentially linked to five new murders, daughter says