Dennis Rader
Dennis Rader BTK
Born in Pittsburg in 1945, Kansas, Dennis Rader was the oldest of four sons of Dorothea Mae Rader and William Elvin Rader. Though born there he spent his childhood in Wichita. At a young age, according to his own confessions,
he enjoyed torturing animals. later on he developed a fetish for women’s underwear.Between 1966 and 1970, Rader served in the United States Air Force. After discharge, he moved to Park City.
There, in 1971, he married Paula D and had two children together.
BTK Victims Timeline
Denise Raider
BTK Victims Timeline
- Jan. 15, 1974: Joseph Otero, 38, and his wife, Julie, 34, are strangled in their home along with two of their children, Josephine, 11, and Joseph II, 9.
- April 4, 1974: Kathryn Bright, 21, is stabbed and strangled in her home. Her 18-year-old brother, Kevin, survives a gunshot wound to the head. Police later conclude she was a BTK victim.
- Oct. 22, 1974: The Wichita Eagle-Beacon gets a letter from someone taking responsibility for the Otero family killing and including crime scene details.
- March 17, 1977: Shirley Vian, 26, is found tied up and strangled at her home.
- Dec. 8, 1977: Nancy Fox, 25, is found tied up and strangled in her home. The killer’s voice is captured on tape when he calls a dispatcher to report the crime.
- Jan. 31, 1978: A poem referring to the Vian killing is sent to The Wichita Eagle-Beacon.
- Feb. 10, 1978: A letter from BTK is sent to KAKE-TV claiming responsibility for the deaths of Vian and Fox, as well as another unnamed victim. Police Chief Richard LaMunyon announces a serial killer is at large and has threatened to strike again.
- April 28, 1979: BTK waits inside a home, but leaves before the 63-year-old woman who lives there returns. He later sends her a letter letting her know he was there.
- Aug. 15, 1979: Police get more than 100 tips in the first day of radio and TV broadcasts that repeat the voice of the BTK strangler from the 1977 recording.
- Sept. 16, 1986: Vicki Wegerle, 28, is strangled in her home.
- March 19, 2004: A letter arrives at The Wichita Eagle containing a photocopy of Wegerle’s driver’s license and photos of her body. Police link it to BTK.
- May 4, 2004: Letter sent to KAKE-TV, with copies of ID badge.
- June 9, 2004: Communication found at stop sign, about Chapter 2 of BTK story.
- July 17, 2004: Communication found at Wichita downtown library, containing letter claiming responsibility for death of Sumner County teenager found tied to train tracks. Police determine BTK had nothing to do with that death, which was later ruled a suicide.
- Oct. 22, 2004: Communication found on 2nd and Kansas streets in Wichita, with a letter on BTK life history.
- Dec. 15, 2004: Package found at Murdock Park, containing a bound doll and a letter.
- Jan. 25, 2005: Post card sent to KAKE TV, directing them to cereal box at 69th and Seneca streets.
- Jan. 27, 2005: Police find Home Depot cereal box, containing jewelry, which had been initially left at the store’s parking lot on Jan. 8. Store surveillance vehicle shows unidentifiable vehicle.
- Feb. 3, 2005: Post card sent to KAKE-TV.
- Feb. 16, 2005: Computer floppy disk and letter sent to KSAS-TV. The disk, containing the name “Dennis,” was traced to Christ Lutheran Church.
- Feb. 25, 2005: Authorities arrest Dennis Rader. Besides the eight slayings already attributed to BTK, he is charged with the killings of Marine Hedge, 53, in April 1985 and Dolores Davis, 62, in January 1991.
- June 27, 2005: Rader pleads guilty to 10 counts.
- Aug. 17, 2005: Prosecutors begin a sentencing hearing, though Rader’s punishment – life in prison with no realistic chance for parole – is undisputed.
BTK Case Files
Records
BTK Case Files
Reports, evidence, testimony, and restitution records.
Crime Scene Otero Family Murder
BTK
Crime Scene Otero Family Murder
January 15, 1974 The Otero Family Murders
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Crime Scene Kathryn Bright Murder
BTK
Crime Scene Kathryn Bright Murder
April 4, 1974 Kathryn Bright Murder
Crime Scene Shirley Vian Murder
BTK
Crime Scene Shirley Vian Murder
March 17, 1977 Shirley Vian
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Crime Scene Nancy Fox Murder
BTK
Crime Scene Nancy Fox Murder
December 8, 1977 Nancy Fox
Crime Scene Vicki Wegerle Murder
BTK
Crime Scene Vicki Wegerle Murder
Sept. 16, 1986 Vicki Wegerle
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- LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01
BTK Records and Journals
Records
BTK Records and Journals
BTK case records and court documents.
| Case File | Open | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-07-15 Dennis Rader Part FBI.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-01-23 Sentencing Memo.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-02-28 Complaint.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-01 Complaint.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-02 Protective Order of Seal 3.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-02 Protective Order of Seal.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-03 Protective Order of Seal.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-15 DNA Release.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-17 Motion to Determine Conflict of Interest.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-17 Order of Seal 4.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-31 Order of Seal 3.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-03-31 Order.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-14 Motion to Endorse.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-14 Order of Seal 2.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-19 Journal Entry – Preliminary Examination.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-19 Motion Minutes Sheet.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-19 Order of Endorsement2.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-19 Order of Seal.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-21 Motion to Intervene and For Release of Sealed Documents.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-21 Motion to Intervene Release of Sealed Documents.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-29 Financial Affidavit.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-04-29 Order Removing Seal of Court Filings.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-01 Order 7.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-02 Order 6.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-03 Journal Entry – Preliminary Examination.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-03 Notice of Intent Separate Sentencing Proceeding.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-03 Order 5.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05 04 Motion for Discovery and Inspection.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-06 Motion Minutes Sheet3.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-06 Response to Defendant’s Motion for Discovery.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-10 Order for Discovery (K.S.A. 22-3212).pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-11 Order for Reciprocal Discovery.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-18 Notice of Hearing2.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-20-05 Motion Minutes Sheet.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-05-31 Order Vacating Seal.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-01 Motions Minute Sheet2.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-04 Motion to Rescind Court Orders.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-16 Motion to Endorse.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-17 Journal Entry.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-17 Order of Endorsement.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-20 Order Removing Seal.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-22 Order for Special Visitation 2.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-24 Order for Special Visitation.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-27 Transcript – Guilty Plea.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-30 Defendant’s Acknowledgement of Rights and Entry of Plea.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-06-30 Record of Trial or Plea.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-07-01 Subpoena Duces Tecum with Affidavit of Service.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-07-18 states summary of the evidence-btk.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-08-10 Motion to Compel Discovery.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-08-10 Motions Minute Sheet.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-08-15 State’s Summary of the Evidence.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-08-18 Journal Entry of Commitment.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-08-18 States Summary of the Evidence btk.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-08-18 Summary of Evidence Victims Timeline.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-10-04 Notice of Hearing.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-10-20 Notice of Appeal.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-10-24 Appointment Letter.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-10-31 Journal Entry of Judgment Journal Entry of Commitment.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-10-31 Order Establishing Restitution.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2005-10-31 Order of Disposition of Evidence.pdf | Open | Download |
| Journal Entry – First Appearance.pdf | Open | Download |
| 2004-2005 FBI Case Files Dennis Rader.pdf | Open | Download |
| Dennis Rader BTK Journal and Records.pdf | Open | Download |
| Dennis Rader BTK Poses Records Evidence.pdf | Open | Download |
BTK Records and Journals Gallery
Records Gallery
BTK Records and Journals Gallery
Additional BTK records and journal images.
