The killer known as BTK is
Wichita's most notorious serial killer, now connected with eight unsolved
homicides from 1974 to 1986.
BTK stands for "Bind, Torture and
Kill," a style of killing he used. The serial killer used the
initials in letters he sent to local media.
Based upon a review of information the
killer has provided to police over the years, the following facts about
BTK are being made available to the public in the hopes of identifying
him:
He claims he was born in 1939, which would
make his current age 64 or 65.
His father died in World War II, and his
mother raised him.
His mother was forced to work, so his
grandparents cared for him.
His mother worked during the day near the
railroad.
He had a cousin named Susan, who moved to
Missouri.
His family moved a lot, but always lived
near a railroad.
His grandfather played the fiddle and died
of a lung disease.
His mother started dating a railroad
detective when BTK was around 11 years old. This relationship would have
occurred during the years 1950 to 1955.
In the early 1950s he built and operated a
ham radio.
He has participated in outdoor hobbies
including hunting, fishing and camping.
As a youth, he attended church and Sunday
school.
He had a female Hispanic acquaintance named
Petra, who had a younger sister named Tina.
Around 1960, he went to tech military
school. He then joined the military for active duty and was discharged in
1966.
He has a basic knowledge of photography and
the ability to develop and print pictures.
In 1966, he moved back in with his mother,
who had remarried and was renting out part of his house.
His first job was as an electro-mechanic,
requiring some travel.
After attending more tech school, he worked
repairing copiers and business equipment; this sometimes required travel
and he was away for extended periods.
He admits to soliciting prostitutes.
He has a lifetime fascination with
railroads and trains.
Based upon the investigation to date,
police believe that BTK:
Frequented the WSU campus in the 1970s.
Was acquainted with PJ Wyatt, who taught a
folklore class at WSU in the 1970s.
He has written or still writes poetry. An
example of this is the "Oh Anna, Why Didn't you appear" poem and
the "Oh! Death to Nancy" poem that were released in earlier
media advisories.
Utilized fake identification to gain access
to people's homes or to conduct surveillance.
The BTK Killer name is Dennis Rader
