1. Dennis Rader
Meghan Mineweaser

2. The BTK Killer (Bind, Torture, Kill)
“I actually think I may be possessed with demons, I was dropped on my head as a kid.”

3. Background Born in 1945 in Pittsburg, Kansas Oldest of four sons
His father was a member of the Marine Corps and later worked for the electric utility KG&E in 1948
Joined the boy scouts and participated in the church youth group
Attended Riverview Elementary School
Described as a quiet and polite young man who kept to himself
Graduated from Wichita Heights High School in 1963
Attended Kansas Wesleyan College in Salina
Served in the U.S. Air Force from the mid to late 1960s
Married to Paula in 1971 and had two children
Worked at a camping gear company for a few years
Went to work for ADT Security Services in 1974

4. Crime
Date
Victims
Punishment
Murder - Strangulation
January 15, 1974
Otero Family- Joseph, Julie, Josephine, and Joseph Jr.
4 life sentences
Murder- Strangulation and stabbing
April 4, 1974
Kathryn Bright
1 life sentence
Attempted Murder- Shot twice
Kevin Bright
Murder- Strangulation
March 17, 1977
Shirley Vian
December 8, 1977
Nancy Fox
Murder
April 27, 1985
Marine Hedge
September 16, 1986
Vicki Wegerle
January 19, 1991
Dolores Davis

5. Most Convincing Evidence
Rader was known to taunt authorities by sending letters or poems about his crimes. In 2004, Rader sent local media outlets and authorities letters that related to his crimes. This included pictures, a word puzzle, and an outline for the “BTK Story”. There was also a computer disk. That computer disk lead the authorities to Rader’s church. They also noticed Rader’s white van in many of the package drop off areas. They also were able to obtain a DNA sample from his daughter that helped to prove that he was guilty. While on trial, Rader pled guilty to all charges. Also, living victims were able to testify against him in court. He is serving in El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas.

6. Books
Bind, Torture, Kill: the Inside Story of the Serial Killer Next Door – Roy Wenzl, Tim Potter, L. Kelly, and Hurst Laviana
Confessions of a Serial Killer: the Untold Story of Dennis Rader the BTK Killer - Katherine Ramsland
The Inside Mind of BTK - John Douglas
Nightmare in Wichita: The hHunt for the BTK Strangler - Robert Beattle
The life and Crimes of the BTK Serial Killer - Stephen Singular
My Boss was the BTK Killer- Jim Dobkins

7. Movies The Hunt for the BTK Killer I survived BTK
NBC News: BTK Confessions

8. Songs "Bind Torture Kill" – Suffocation
"Bind, Torture and Kill" – Suicide Commando
"Raider II" - Steven Wilson
"B.T.K." - Church of Misery
"BTK" - Exodus

9. Theory
The Sociological Theory of Deviance that best explains Dennis Rader is Psychological. This is defined as the upbringing that causes the criminal to commit deviant acts. This impacts cognitive and behavioral development. When Rader was growing up, there were signs of trouble. It was reported that he would hang stray cats as a child. We know now that strangulation was his most common form of killing.
Rader was fascinated with bondage and torture. At a young age, he learned to keep his obsessions secret from the rest of the world. As a child, Rader was very shy and kept to himself. Killing could have been used to express his emotions that he otherwise kept to himself. Also, this shyness could have led to his need for the authority’s attention after his murders.