Dennis Rader

Dennis Lynn Rader (born March 9, 1945) is an American serial killer, who murdered at least ten people in Sedgwick County (in and around Wichita), Kansas, United States, between 1974 and 1991. He was known as the BTK killer (or strangler), which stands for Bind, Torture, and Kill, which was his modus operandi. Letters were written soon after the killings to police and to local news outlets, boasting of the crimes and knowledge of details. After a long hiatus, these letters resumed in 2004.

Modus Operandi and victims

The name BTK chosen by Rader for himself also dictated his methods. Rader bound, tortured, and killed his victims. He created what he called a "hit kit," a briefcase or bowling bag containing the items he would use during murders: guns, tape, rope and handcuffs. He also packed what he called "hit clothes" that he would wear for the crimes and then dispose of.

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Rader's victims include four members of one family (1974, Joseph Otero, his wife Julie Otero, and two of their five children: Joseph Otero II and Josephine Otero); Kathryn Bright (1974), Shirley Vian (1977), Nancy Fox (1977), and Vicki Wegerle (1986). Two other murders, Marine Hedge (1985) and Delores Davis (1991), were added after Rader's arrest. Police officials say there is no reason to believe Rader was responsible for any other murders, as he had kept collections related to the murders he committed and reportedly had nothing about any other killings there when they were found, although he hasn't necessarily been ruled out as a suspect in other cases.

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