Dennis Rader, the BTK serial killer whose self-given nickname stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” played a cat and mouse game with investigators and reporters for decades before he was caught.
But Rader gradually faded from view after his 2005 arrest, as he served one life term for each of the 10 people he was convicted of killing.
He made headlines again this week, though, because he was named the prime suspect in an Oklahoma teen’s 1976 disappearance and a Missouri woman’s 1990 killing.
Eduardo Castillo
Dirt and rebar sit at the site where Dennis Rader's former property once stood after investigators dug in Park City, Kan., on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Authorities in Oklahoma and Missouri said Wednesday, Aug. 23, that they are investigating whether the BTK serial killer Rader was responsible for other homicides, with their search leading them to dig on near his former Kansas property. (Eduardo Castillo/The Wichita Eagle via AP)
Here’s a look at how Rader spread fear and was eventually caught and convicted:
WHAT IS THE LATEST NEWS?
The investigation into whether Rader, 78, was responsible for additional crimes started with the reexamination of the disappearance of Cynthia Kinney, a 16-year-old cheerleader who was last seen at a laundromat in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Rader worked for ADT Security Systems at the time, and the bank across the street was getting a new security system. Law enforcement has been unable to determine, though, whether Rader was the one who installed it.
Eddie Virden
This photo provided by the Osage County, Kan., Sheriff's Office shows the BTK Killer Dennis Rader’s former Kansas property near Park City, Kan., being searched on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, for clues pertaining to two new potential cases. (Eddie Virden/Osage County Sheriff's Office via AP)
Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden told KAKE-TV that he decided to investigate a possible link between Rader and Kinney’s disappearance when he learned that Rader had included the phrase “bad laundry day” in his writings.
Undersheriff Gary Upton said the investigation “spiraled out from there” into other unsolved murders and missing persons cases.” They include the the death of 22-year-old Shawna Beth Garber, whose body was discovered in December 1990 in McDonald County, Missouri. An autopsy revealed she had been raped, strangled and restrained with different bindings about two months before her body was found.
As part of the investigation, authorities conducted a dig this week near Rader’s former Kansas property in Park City.
Rader’s attorney, Rob Ridenour, said he had no comment.
WHO WAS BTK?
BTK first struck in 1974 and stoked fears throughout the 1970s in the Wichita area.
The earliest known crimes linked to the BTK strangler date to Jan. 15, 1974, when Joseph Otero, 38, his 34-year-old wife, Julie, and their 11- and 9-year-old children were found dead in their home.
After strangling three other women that decade, he began seeking attention.
“How about some name for me, its time: 7 down and many more to go,” he wrote in a letter to a TV station.
BTK killed again in 1985, 1986 and 1991, although some of the crimes weren’t linked to him initially. And then suddenly, with no explanation, he fell off the radar and the killings stopped.
Travis Heying
FILE - Convicted BTK killer Dennis Rader listens during a court proceeding, Oct. 12, 2005, in El Dorado, Kan. On Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, authorities in Oklahoma and Missouri said they are investigating whether the BTK serial killer was responsible for other homicides, with their search leading them to dig on Tuesday, Aug. 22, near his former Kansas property. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP, Pool, File)
HIS REEMERGENCE:
BTK resurfaced in March 2004 — the 30th anniversary of the first crimes — with a letter to The Wichita Eagle that included photos of the 1986 strangulation of Vicki Wegerle and a photocopy of her missing driver’s license.
Her case had not been linked to BTK until then.
Among the materials the BTK killer sent to the media were a cryptic word puzzle mailed to KAKE-TV that included dozens of hidden words, including a grouping of letters spelling “D. Rader,” the street number of his address, 6220, and the types of jobs that could be used to gain entry into homes.
The break in the case came after a computer disk the killer had sent was traced to Rader’s church.
RADER’S ARREST:
At the time of Rader’s arrest, he was a married father of two, a Boy Scouts leader and active member of a Lutheran church.
The former Air Force sergeant had lived in the Wichita area almost his entire life, earning a criminal justice degree at a local university.
Rader never became a police officer, though, instead going into code enforcement. His job allowed him to issue citations for minor infractions such as unkempt lawns.
Eddie Virden
This photo provided by the Osage County, Kan., Sheriff's Office shows the BTK Killer Dennis Rader’s former Kansas property near Park City, Kan., being searched on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, for clues pertaining to two new potential cases. (Eddie Virden/Osage County Sheriff's Office via AP)
THE TRIAL AND AFTERMATH:
When he pleaded guilty, Rader admitted in court that he would “troll” for victims on his off-time, then stalk and kill them.
He said he referred to them as “projects,” telling the court that sexual fantasies drove him to kill. He has not been accused of sexually assaulting his victims, but he admitted that he had masturbated over some of them.
Rader later told KAKE-TV that a “demon” got inside of him at a young age.
“I have a lot of remorse. I’m very sorry for them. It is something I wouldn’t want to happen to my family,” he said.
Kansas didn’t have the death penalty at the time of the killings, so the 10 life terms was the harshest sentence possible.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Samuel Little claims to have killed more than 90 women across the country between 1970-2005. The FBI said that federal crime analysts believe all of his confessions are credible, and officials have been able to verify 50 confessions so far. He says he strangled his 93 victims, nearly all of them women.
Little has been behind bars since 2012 and is serving multiple life sentences in California.
Samuel Little claims to have killed more than 90 women across the country between 1970-2005. The FBI said that federal crime analysts believe all of his confessions are credible, and officials have been able to verify 50 confessions so far. He says he strangled his 93 victims, nearly all of them women.
Little has been behind bars since 2012 and is serving multiple life sentences in California.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Juan Corona was convicted of murdering 25 farm workers whose bodies were found buried near Yuba City in northern California. Local authorities believe he may be responsible for several other murders.
Corona died in prison in March 2019.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Juan Corona was convicted of murdering 25 farm workers whose bodies were found buried near Yuba City in northern California. Local authorities believe he may be responsible for several other murders.
Corona died in prison in March 2019.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
ASSOCIATED PRESS
John Wayne Gacy killed 33 young men and boys in suburban Chicago from 1972-1978. He was known as the "Killer Clown" because he often performed as a clown at fundraisers and children's parties.
Gacy was sentenced to death for 12 of the murders and was executed in 1994.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
John Wayne Gacy killed 33 young men and boys in suburban Chicago from 1972-1978. He was known as the "Killer Clown" because he often performed as a clown at fundraisers and children's parties.
Gacy was sentenced to death for 12 of the murders and was executed in 1994.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
TRAVIS HEYING
Dennis Rader, who called himself BTK for "bind, torture and kill," killed 10 people in Wichita, Kansas from 1974-1991. He sent letters describing his crimes to police and the media, which eventually led to his arrest in 2005.
Rader is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences at a Kansas prison.
TRAVIS HEYING
Dennis Rader, who called himself BTK for "bind, torture and kill," killed 10 people in Wichita, Kansas from 1974-1991. He sent letters describing his crimes to police and the media, which eventually led to his arrest in 2005.
Rader is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences at a Kansas prison.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
JACKIE JOHNSTON
Robert L. Yates Jr. was convicted of 13 counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder in Spokane County, Washington, as well as two additional murders in Pierce County. The 13 women he killed in Spokane, were sex workers on the city's E. Sprague Avenue.
Yates's original death sentence was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2018 after Washington abolished the death penalty.
JACKIE JOHNSTON
Robert L. Yates Jr. was convicted of 13 counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder in Spokane County, Washington, as well as two additional murders in Pierce County. The 13 women he killed in Spokane, were sex workers on the city's E. Sprague Avenue.
Yates's original death sentence was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2018 after Washington abolished the death penalty.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Anonymous
David Berkowitz, also known as the "Son of Sam," killed six people and wounded seven others in New York City. He sent several taunting letters to police before he was caught in 1977. Initially, he claimed to be carrying out the orders of a demon that took the form of his neighbor's dog.
Berkowitz is serving six consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences.
Anonymous
David Berkowitz, also known as the "Son of Sam," killed six people and wounded seven others in New York City. He sent several taunting letters to police before he was caught in 1977. Initially, he claimed to be carrying out the orders of a demon that took the form of his neighbor's dog.
Berkowitz is serving six consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Rich Pedroncelli
Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer in Auburn, California, is suspected of being the so-called Golden State Killer. He has been arrested on four murder charges but is suspected of 170 crimes, including a dozen murders and 45 rapes between 1976 and 1986. He cannot be charged for the rape or burglaries due to statute of limitation laws.
Rich Pedroncelli
Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer in Auburn, California, is suspected of being the so-called Golden State Killer. He has been arrested on four murder charges but is suspected of 170 crimes, including a dozen murders and 45 rapes between 1976 and 1986. He cannot be charged for the rape or burglaries due to statute of limitation laws.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
McLendon
Cousins Angelo Buono Jr. (pictured) and Kenneth A. Bianchi, known as the "Hillside Stranglers" killed 10 young women in California in the late 70s. Bianchi also killed two other women in Washington state. The pair would often pretend to be undercover police officers to lure their victims into their vehicle.
Buono was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He died in prison in 2002.
Bianchi agreed to testify against Buono in exchange for leniency. He is currently serving life in prison and is also a suspect in three murders in Rochester, New York.
McLendon
Cousins Angelo Buono Jr. (pictured) and Kenneth A. Bianchi, known as the "Hillside Stranglers" killed 10 young women in California in the late 70s. Bianchi also killed two other women in Washington state. The pair would often pretend to be undercover police officers to lure their victims into their vehicle.
Buono was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He died in prison in 2002.
Bianchi agreed to testify against Buono in exchange for leniency. He is currently serving life in prison and is also a suspect in three murders in Rochester, New York.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
SF
Ted Bundy was convicted of three Florida murders that occured after he had escaped from a Colorado jail. He eventually confessed to more than 30 murders in seven states, but the number of actual victims is unknown.
He was executed in 1989.
SF
Ted Bundy was convicted of three Florida murders that occured after he had escaped from a Colorado jail. He eventually confessed to more than 30 murders in seven states, but the number of actual victims is unknown.
He was executed in 1989.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jeffrey Dahmer, also called the "Milwaukee Cannibal" or the "Milwaukee Monster," killed 17 men and boys from 1978-1992. Sixteen of the murders took place in Wisconsin, with one occurring in Ohio.
He was sentenced to 16 consecutive life terms. Dahmer was killed in prison in 1994.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jeffrey Dahmer, also called the "Milwaukee Cannibal" or the "Milwaukee Monster," killed 17 men and boys from 1978-1992. Sixteen of the murders took place in Wisconsin, with one occurring in Ohio.
He was sentenced to 16 consecutive life terms. Dahmer was killed in prison in 1994.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
ELAINE THOMPSON
Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the "Unabomber," carried out a series of mail bombings that killed three people and injured 23. He is serving a life sentence in Colorado.
ELAINE THOMPSON
Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the "Unabomber," carried out a series of mail bombings that killed three people and injured 23. He is serving a life sentence in Colorado.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Gary Gardiner
Wayne B. Williams was convicted and sentenced to two life terms for killing two men in Atlanta in 1981. Police believed he may have been responsible for the deaths of at least 23 of the 30 children who were murdered in Atlanta between 1979-1981. He was never tried for any of those crimes.
Authorities announced in early 2019 that they would re-test some of the evidence related to the Atlanta Child Murders.
Wayne is currently serving a life sentence at Telfair State Prison.
Gary Gardiner
Wayne B. Williams was convicted and sentenced to two life terms for killing two men in Atlanta in 1981. Police believed he may have been responsible for the deaths of at least 23 of the 30 children who were murdered in Atlanta between 1979-1981. He was never tried for any of those crimes.
Authorities announced in early 2019 that they would re-test some of the evidence related to the Atlanta Child Murders.
Wayne is currently serving a life sentence at Telfair State Prison.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Henry Lee Lucas was arrested on murder charges and confessed to police that he killed hundreds of people. He later recanted. Lucas was convicted of 11 murders. He was sentenced to at 10 life terms and one death sentence. Then-Gov. George W. Bush commuted that to life in prison, his only commutation as governor.
Lucas died in prison in 2001.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Henry Lee Lucas was arrested on murder charges and confessed to police that he killed hundreds of people. He later recanted. Lucas was convicted of 11 murders. He was sentenced to at 10 life terms and one death sentence. Then-Gov. George W. Bush commuted that to life in prison, his only commutation as governor.
Lucas died in prison in 2001.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
LENNOX MCLENDON
Richard Ramirez, also known as the "Night Stalker" was convicted of killing 13 people during break-ins in the Los Angeles area. He was also convicted of five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. A fourteenth victim who was also killed in 1984 was connected to Ramirez in 2009.
Ramirez died in prison in 2013.
LENNOX MCLENDON
Richard Ramirez, also known as the "Night Stalker" was convicted of killing 13 people during break-ins in the Los Angeles area. He was also convicted of five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. A fourteenth victim who was also killed in 1984 was connected to Ramirez in 2009.
Ramirez died in prison in 2013.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
NICK UT
Charles Ng and Leonard Lake are suspected of raping, torturing and murdering between 11 and 25 victims at a cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ng was convicted of 11 of the murders and is on death row in California. Shortly after his arrest, Lake killed himself with cyanide pills that were sewn into his clothing.
NICK UT
Charles Ng and Leonard Lake are suspected of raping, torturing and murdering between 11 and 25 victims at a cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ng was convicted of 11 of the murders and is on death row in California. Shortly after his arrest, Lake killed himself with cyanide pills that were sewn into his clothing.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Al Seib
Lonnie David Franklin Jr., known as the "Grim Sleeper," was convicted in the deaths of nine women and a teenage girl in Los Angeles. Franklin was linked at trial to 14 slayings, including four women he wasn't charged with killing. Police have said he may have had as many as 25 victims.
He is on death row in California.
Al Seib
Lonnie David Franklin Jr., known as the "Grim Sleeper," was convicted in the deaths of nine women and a teenage girl in Los Angeles. Franklin was linked at trial to 14 slayings, including four women he wasn't charged with killing. Police have said he may have had as many as 25 victims.
He is on death row in California.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
PETER COSGROVE
Aileen Wuornos, a rare female serial killer, was convicted of murdering six men while working as a sex worker along highways in central Florida. She claimed the murders were committed in self-defense and that the men either raped or attempted to rape her.
She was executed in 2002.
PETER COSGROVE
Aileen Wuornos, a rare female serial killer, was convicted of murdering six men while working as a sex worker along highways in central Florida. She claimed the murders were committed in self-defense and that the men either raped or attempted to rape her.
She was executed in 2002.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Eric Michelson
Joel Rifkin is believed to have killed up to 17 women in New York City and Long Island. He was sentenced to 203 years in prison for the murders of nine women between 1989 and 1993.
His first victim, Heidi "Susie" Balch, was killed in 1989 but went unidentified until 2013. The identities of two of his suspected victims are still unknown.
Eric Michelson
Joel Rifkin is believed to have killed up to 17 women in New York City and Long Island. He was sentenced to 203 years in prison for the murders of nine women between 1989 and 1993.
His first victim, Heidi "Susie" Balch, was killed in 1989 but went unidentified until 2013. The identities of two of his suspected victims are still unknown.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
CHRIS KASSON
Heriberto Seda, also known as the "New York Zodiac Killer," killed three people and wounded four in New York City. He also sent cryptic messages to police and claimed to kill people based on their zodiac signs.
Seda was caught in 1996 after an unrelated shootout with police and is currently serving a 232-year sentence.
CHRIS KASSON
Heriberto Seda, also known as the "New York Zodiac Killer," killed three people and wounded four in New York City. He also sent cryptic messages to police and claimed to kill people based on their zodiac signs.
Seda was caught in 1996 after an unrelated shootout with police and is currently serving a 232-year sentence.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
DAVID J. PHILLIP
Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, nicknamed the "Railroad Killer" (also "The Railway Killer"), was convicted of murdering Claudia Benton, but was linked by confessions and evidence to at least 15 other killings nationwide. He also confessed to killing seven people in Mexico. Reséndiz was executed in 2006.
DAVID J. PHILLIP
Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, nicknamed the "Railroad Killer" (also "The Railway Killer"), was convicted of murdering Claudia Benton, but was linked by confessions and evidence to at least 15 other killings nationwide. He also confessed to killing seven people in Mexico. Reséndiz was executed in 2006.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad randomly killed 10 people in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland as they pumped gas and went about their business during a three-week period in 2002. Malvo is serving several life sentences at a Virginia prison; Muhammad was executed in Virginia in 2009.
Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad randomly killed 10 people in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland as they pumped gas and went about their business during a three-week period in 2002. Malvo is serving several life sentences at a Virginia prison; Muhammad was executed in Virginia in 2009.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
PAT SHANNAHAN
Mark Goudeau, a former construction worker who was also known as the "Baseline Killer," was convicted of killing eight women and a man in Phoenix, Arizona. He was sentenced to death in 2011 and remains on death row.
PAT SHANNAHAN
Mark Goudeau, a former construction worker who was also known as the "Baseline Killer," was convicted of killing eight women and a man in Phoenix, Arizona. He was sentenced to death in 2011 and remains on death row.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Mark Duncan
Anthony Sowell, known as the "Cleveland Strangler," was convicted of killing 11 women and hiding the remains in and around his home in Cleveland, Ohio. He is on death row in Ohio.
Mark Duncan
Anthony Sowell, known as the "Cleveland Strangler," was convicted of killing 11 women and hiding the remains in and around his home in Cleveland, Ohio. He is on death row in Ohio.
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Motive for Florida family’s massacre may never be known
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Also known as the "Gary Strangler," Darren Deon Vann was arrested in the killing of a 19-year-old woman at a motel in Indiana and later confessed to the murders of six other women. He was sentenced to seven concurrent life sentences in May 2018.
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Also known as the "Gary Strangler," Darren Deon Vann was arrested in the killing of a 19-year-old woman at a motel in Indiana and later confessed to the murders of six other women. He was sentenced to seven concurrent life sentences in May 2018.
