The following information has been taken from
http://altereddimensions.net/crime/BTKBindTortureKill.aspx
January 15th 1974, three children of the Otero's family arrived home from school at around 4:00om. On their arrival they found their father Joseph Otero, thier mother Julie Otero, Sister Josephine Otero and brother Joseph II Otero all had been strangled to death in their home.
The police were quickly informed of the findings, and they rushed over to 803 North Edgemoor residence, not realising this was just the start of a serial killing spree.
The father, Joseph, was found by the children, on the floor in their home, his hands and feet were bound with cord that been ripped from a Venetian blind, from one of the rooms. The mother, Julie, was found on the bed in one of the bedrooms, also bound similar to the father. Both Parents were choked to death by the same type of cord used to bound them. The Sister, Josephine, was found by the police in the basement hung from a rope that was tied to a water pipe, she was only wearing a t-shirt and socks when she was found. The brother, Joseph II, was found, also by the police, lying near the bottom of his bed, hands and feet were bound just like the mother and father. Joseph was then suffocated with a plastic bag that was placed over his head.
The police had found the phone lines leading into the family home had been cut, unabling the family to make any phone calls for help during the murders.
The Oteros family car, a 1966 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser wagon, was also missing.
On further investigation on the murders, it was revealed there was semen in various locations of the house. Found mainly around the victims bodies.
At around 7:00pm later that day, police had found the missing family car in a near by parking lot. It was belive that the killer had driven the car to nearest parking lot and chose the first empty space available; to which happen to be under a light pole in the centre of the lot, easily visable to the public eye. Then the killer fled the parking lot on foot.
Not long after the murders, the supposidly 'killer', had made an anonymous call to the Witchita Eagle Newspapers. One of the reports that took the phone call was given an instruction by the 'killer'. He told the reporter that he would find a valuble clue in a Mechanical Engineering book in the Witchita Public library. This reporter then took it upon himself to go to the library and track down the book the phone caller had told him to find. Insdie the book happen to be a letter. The person who wrote the letter claimed to have killed the Otero family and also provided additional details to the murders that not anyone in the public or the police could have possibly known. The contents of the letter is shown below.
''I write this letter to you for the sake of the tax payer as well as your time. Those three dude you have in custody are just talking to get publicity for the Otero murders, They know nothing at all. I did it by myself and no ones help. There has been no talk either. Lets put it straight.
Joe:
Position: Southwest bedroom, feet tie to the bed. Head pointed in a southerly direction.
Bondage: Window blind cord.
Garrote: Blind cord, brown belt.
Death: The old bag trick and strangulation with clothes line rope.
Clothed: White sweat shirt, green pants.
Comments: He threw up at one time. Had rib injury from wreck few week before. Laying on coat.
Julie:
Position: Laying on her back crosswise on the bed pointed in southwestern direction. Face cover with a pillow.
Bondage: Blind cord.
Garrote: Clothes line cord tie in a clove-hitch.
Death : Strangulation twice.
Clothes: Blue house coat, black slack, white sock.
Comments: Blood on face from too much pressure on the neck, bed unmade.
Josephine:
Position: Hanging by the neck in the northwest part of the basement. Dryer or freezer north of her body.
Bondage: Hand tie with blind cord. Feet and lower knees, upper knees and waist with clothes line cord. All one length.
Garrote: Rough hemp rope 1/4 dia., noose with four or five turns.
Clothes: Dark bra cut in the middle, sock.
Death: Strangulation once, hung.
Comments: Most of her clothes at the bottom of the stairs, green pants, and panties. Her glasses in the southwest bedroom.
Joseph:
Position: In the east bedroom laying on his back pointed in eastern direction.
Bondage: Blind cord.
Garrote: Three hoods; white T-shirt, white plastic bag, another T-shirt
Clothes line cord with clove-hitch.
Death: Suffocation once, strangulation-suffocation with the old bag trick.
Clothes: Brown pants, yellow-brown stripe T-shirt
Comments: His radio is blaring .
All victims had their hands tie behind their backs. Gags of pillow case material. Slip knots on Joe and Joseph neck to hold leg down or was at one time. Purse contents south of the table. Spilled drink in that area also, kids making lunches. Door shade in red chair in the living room. Otero's watch missing. I needed one so I took it. Runs good. Thermostat turn down. Car was dirty inside, out of gas.
I'm sorry this happen to society.... ...Good luck with your hunting.
YOURS, TRULY GUILTILY.
P.S. Since sex criminals do not change their M.O. or by nature cannot do so, I will not change mine. The code words for me will be ... Bind them, Torture them, Kill them, B.T.K., you see be at it again. They will be on the next victim.''
On the 4th August 1974, Kathryn Bright was found in her home at 3217E. 13th Street. Kathryn was found partly dressed, bounded by cord and had been strangled to death just like the Otero family. but unfortunately Kathryn had also been stabbed several times.
Evidence collected from the murder scene of Kathryn Bright directly pointed out that this murder had been done by the BTK killer. Also nearby the scene, a 'muder kit' had been found, which could have belonged to the BTK killer as it contained rope and wire cutting tools.
Kevin Bright, the brother of Kathryn, was also at the scene of the crime as he walked Kathryn home. The killer had attacked Kevin but fortunately, after he was strangled and shot in the head, Kevin faked his death, but the BTK killer had noticed he was still alive and shot him again directly in the head. Remarkably, Kevin again fake his death as the second shot again didnt kill him, and waited for the right moment to scarper off for help. This became a key piece of evidence as the police now had a witness.
Kevin remembered how the BTK killer had tol him the he was ' a wanted man in california and was seeking a car to escape'. Kevin also stated that the BTK killer has commented ' Hey, haven't i seen you at University?'.
Kevin was the only surviour of the BTK killer.
Three years later, on 17th March 1977, the Witchita police had recieved a phone call for assistance at 1311 South Hydraulic Street. On arrival, they found the body of Shirley Vian. Just like the other victims Shirley had been bounded with cord, partly dressed but was suffocated with a plastic bag over her head. On further investigating the house, they found Vians Children locked in the closet. Vians son, Steve Relford, aged 5, had tragically witnesseed the whole incident by looking threw the keyhole of the door.
On 8th December 1977, the Witchita police recieve another phone call. This time the police were instructed to go to 843 South Pershing Street. The caller had told the police he had the driving licience of the woman he just murdered. On arrival at 843 South Pershing Street, police found the body of Nancy Jo Fox on the living room floor. On investigation they believed Fox had been killed the night befor and died of strangulation. Again semen was found but they concluded Nancy had not been raped. Police had also found that the nancy didnt not have any defensive wound leading to believe the BTK killer had very good control of his victims. He was either someone they knew, or felt comfortable with allowing into their homes.
After this incident, the BTK killer had gone silent. No communication was recieved linking into the BTK killings for several years, which made the police believe the killer was either dead or imprisoned else where, as it was believed by psycologists, serial killers did not have the will power to stop killing.
''How many do I have to kill, before I get my name in the paper or some national attention? Do the cops think that all those deaths are not related? Yes, the M.O. is different in each, but look at the pattern that is developing. The victims are tied up _ most have been women _ phone cut _ bring some bondage mater sadist tendencies _ no struggle, outside the death spot _ no witnesses except the Vian's kids...
After a thing like Fox, I come home and go about life like anyone else. And I will be like that until the urge hits me again...''
Five years later, in 1984, the police had set up the task force called 'The Ghostbusters'. This task force had deicded to look at the evidence the police had collected from the BTK killings, these were then examined by extensive computer analysis. They found the murders were all close by one another and believe the killer must have been local. From some of the letters BTK himself had sent, they found they were all impossible to trace as they had been put through copying machines several times. Unfortunately for the killer, one of the copies had been traced to the Wichita State University Library. This lead to the police believing it was either a current or ex-student that could possible have been the BTK killer.
On 27th April 1985, the body of Marine Hedge was found. Her body had been moved from the scene of the crime and disposed of else where. From the evidence found, police believed this murder must have been related to the BTK killings, even though the body was moved as the other victims were not moved. The police had decided it was either a copy-cat of the BTK killer or it could possibly be the return of the original BTK killer himself.
On 16th September 1986, Bill Wegerle had returned home to find the body of his wide Vicki Wegerle. She had been strangled and was sprawled out on their bedroom floor. Police were immediately notified and went straight to the address of Vicki Wegerle at 2400 block of West 13th Street. On investigation the found nothing had been stolen and the only thing to be missing was Vicki's driving licence. Although the evidence appeared to be similar to BTK killings, the police still were unsure whether these crimes were in connection with the original BTK killer, as there has been no communication with him for several years.
On January 19th 1991, the body of Dolores Davis had been found near a river in Sedwick County. On investigation police found that she had been abducted from her home, strangled and again her body was moved and disposed of near the river. The police had now finally concluded that the BTK killer was the main suspect.
Almost 20 years after the first murder was commited by the BTK killer, he was still at work, leading police to the assumption that this serial killer was 'part time', he could go on a killing spree, then stop, the resume his killing years later. This was difficult for the police to come to terms with. They had never came across a 'part time serial killer'.
New Letter!
Thirty years after the first murder,on 19th March 2004, Wichita police recieved a strange letter. The letter was postmarked 17th March 2004, with the return addres of Bill Thomas Killman ... (BTK). The letter had contained Vicki Wegerle's driver's license and thre photograph copies of her body. In the potographs, police had noted that the body and the clothes were moved into different positions for each shot. They was able to rule out the fact, they could have been crime scene photos, as the evidence is not allowed to be touched until all photographic evidence had been taken, so they knew these photo's must have been taken by the BTK killer. Police had now linked Vicki's murder to the BTK killings.
The return address on the letter was 1684 South Oldmanor. Police quickly drove to the location only to find an empty, vacant lot.
On 5th May 2004, ABC affiliate, KAKE, channel 12 in Wichita, Kansas had recieved a puzzle and photocopies of two employees identification cards. Neither employee had any idea on how anyone could have possibly got hold of a photocopy of their identification cards, especially third party. police were able to identify that it was the BTK killer that sent the letter, although it's meanign was unknown.
More Clues!
In late 2004, Wichita police Lieutenant Ken Landwehr, held a public news conference and released details about the BTK killer to reporters, details that were gained from the text of the BTK letters to the Wichita Eagle. Landwehr explained:
'In these letters, he has provided certain background information about himself which he claims is accurate.
The contents of the letters revealed an amazing amount of detail including the fact that he was born in 1939 (which would make BTK around 65 years old in 2004), that his family moved around often and always lived near railroad tracks, that his father was killed in World War II and he had been raised by his mother with the help of his grandmother, that his mother dated a railroad detective, that his grandfather played the fiddle and died of lung disease, that he had a cousin named Susan who lived in Missouri, and that he had once had a friend named Petra who had a younger sister named Tina.'
Police were unsure how accurate these statements were but did believe that at least parts of the information were correct.
As time went on more and more letter had arrived to the police along with more persnal items from the victims. The BTK killer had purposely left the key evidence items in public places for them to be found and to be handed to the police.
The police now knew the BTK killer had resurfaced and was now disposing the 'trophies' he had collected over the series of murders. Fortunately for the police the killer was disposing them hurrily and sloppily. Also whilst doing this, the BTK killer was filling in the gaps of where the police were confused on why BTK had done some of the things he did.
One example of this was one of the letter explaining why Shirley Vian's children were left alive.
'They were very lucky; a phone call saved them. I was going to tape the boys and put plastic bags over there heads like I did Joseph and Shirley - and then hang the girl. God-oh God what a beautiful sexual relief this would been.'
People then believed the BTK killer was readying himself to be caught out. they believe something could have possibly changed in the killers life to which he wanted to be caught, was something driving him to send clues to the police in order for the killer to be caught. Or was it the BTK killer decided to obtain the media hype he long desired by giving all this information on the 30th anniversary of the first deaths. Others believed the BTK killer was jealous of more recent publicity given to the 'Green River Killer' and the 'Washington Sniper'. Whatever the reason, the BTK killer was carelessly leaving vital clues.
On 25th February 2005, based on DNA evidence, Dennis Rader was unmasked as the BTK killer. Rader was arrested by Wichita Poilce Chief Norman Williams. Raders home was then search and his computer was siezed. He was accused of killing 10 people between 1974 and 1991.Rader confessed to the killing and details on the DNA have not been fully confirmed, but it was believed that the DNA obtained from Raders daughter, and the DNA from the crime scenes were a very close match meaning aclose relative had to be the killer ... Another major clue that solved the case was a floppy disk that was sent to the police. This was traced to Raders church. Furthermore, publicity from the letters recieved from the BTK killer, allowed the polivce to gain enough details from the general public to pinpoint Rader as the culprit.
In 1994, Kansas reinstated the death penalty, but this would not apply to Rader unless they could tie a cold case murder he commited after 1994. Currently Rader is serving 175 years to life in prison.
http://altereddimensions.net/crime/BTKBindTortureKill.aspx
January 15th 1974, three children of the Otero's family arrived home from school at around 4:00om. On their arrival they found their father Joseph Otero, thier mother Julie Otero, Sister Josephine Otero and brother Joseph II Otero all had been strangled to death in their home.
The police were quickly informed of the findings, and they rushed over to 803 North Edgemoor residence, not realising this was just the start of a serial killing spree.
The father, Joseph, was found by the children, on the floor in their home, his hands and feet were bound with cord that been ripped from a Venetian blind, from one of the rooms. The mother, Julie, was found on the bed in one of the bedrooms, also bound similar to the father. Both Parents were choked to death by the same type of cord used to bound them. The Sister, Josephine, was found by the police in the basement hung from a rope that was tied to a water pipe, she was only wearing a t-shirt and socks when she was found. The brother, Joseph II, was found, also by the police, lying near the bottom of his bed, hands and feet were bound just like the mother and father. Joseph was then suffocated with a plastic bag that was placed over his head.
The police had found the phone lines leading into the family home had been cut, unabling the family to make any phone calls for help during the murders.
The Oteros family car, a 1966 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser wagon, was also missing.
On further investigation on the murders, it was revealed there was semen in various locations of the house. Found mainly around the victims bodies.
At around 7:00pm later that day, police had found the missing family car in a near by parking lot. It was belive that the killer had driven the car to nearest parking lot and chose the first empty space available; to which happen to be under a light pole in the centre of the lot, easily visable to the public eye. Then the killer fled the parking lot on foot.
Not long after the murders, the supposidly 'killer', had made an anonymous call to the Witchita Eagle Newspapers. One of the reports that took the phone call was given an instruction by the 'killer'. He told the reporter that he would find a valuble clue in a Mechanical Engineering book in the Witchita Public library. This reporter then took it upon himself to go to the library and track down the book the phone caller had told him to find. Insdie the book happen to be a letter. The person who wrote the letter claimed to have killed the Otero family and also provided additional details to the murders that not anyone in the public or the police could have possibly known. The contents of the letter is shown below.
''I write this letter to you for the sake of the tax payer as well as your time. Those three dude you have in custody are just talking to get publicity for the Otero murders, They know nothing at all. I did it by myself and no ones help. There has been no talk either. Lets put it straight.
Joe:
Position: Southwest bedroom, feet tie to the bed. Head pointed in a southerly direction.
Bondage: Window blind cord.
Garrote: Blind cord, brown belt.
Death: The old bag trick and strangulation with clothes line rope.
Clothed: White sweat shirt, green pants.
Comments: He threw up at one time. Had rib injury from wreck few week before. Laying on coat.
Julie:
Position: Laying on her back crosswise on the bed pointed in southwestern direction. Face cover with a pillow.
Bondage: Blind cord.
Garrote: Clothes line cord tie in a clove-hitch.
Death : Strangulation twice.
Clothes: Blue house coat, black slack, white sock.
Comments: Blood on face from too much pressure on the neck, bed unmade.
Josephine:
Position: Hanging by the neck in the northwest part of the basement. Dryer or freezer north of her body.
Bondage: Hand tie with blind cord. Feet and lower knees, upper knees and waist with clothes line cord. All one length.
Garrote: Rough hemp rope 1/4 dia., noose with four or five turns.
Clothes: Dark bra cut in the middle, sock.
Death: Strangulation once, hung.
Comments: Most of her clothes at the bottom of the stairs, green pants, and panties. Her glasses in the southwest bedroom.
Joseph:
Position: In the east bedroom laying on his back pointed in eastern direction.
Bondage: Blind cord.
Garrote: Three hoods; white T-shirt, white plastic bag, another T-shirt
Clothes line cord with clove-hitch.
Death: Suffocation once, strangulation-suffocation with the old bag trick.
Clothes: Brown pants, yellow-brown stripe T-shirt
Comments: His radio is blaring .
All victims had their hands tie behind their backs. Gags of pillow case material. Slip knots on Joe and Joseph neck to hold leg down or was at one time. Purse contents south of the table. Spilled drink in that area also, kids making lunches. Door shade in red chair in the living room. Otero's watch missing. I needed one so I took it. Runs good. Thermostat turn down. Car was dirty inside, out of gas.
I'm sorry this happen to society.... ...Good luck with your hunting.
YOURS, TRULY GUILTILY.
P.S. Since sex criminals do not change their M.O. or by nature cannot do so, I will not change mine. The code words for me will be ... Bind them, Torture them, Kill them, B.T.K., you see be at it again. They will be on the next victim.''
On the 4th August 1974, Kathryn Bright was found in her home at 3217E. 13th Street. Kathryn was found partly dressed, bounded by cord and had been strangled to death just like the Otero family. but unfortunately Kathryn had also been stabbed several times.
Evidence collected from the murder scene of Kathryn Bright directly pointed out that this murder had been done by the BTK killer. Also nearby the scene, a 'muder kit' had been found, which could have belonged to the BTK killer as it contained rope and wire cutting tools.
Kevin Bright, the brother of Kathryn, was also at the scene of the crime as he walked Kathryn home. The killer had attacked Kevin but fortunately, after he was strangled and shot in the head, Kevin faked his death, but the BTK killer had noticed he was still alive and shot him again directly in the head. Remarkably, Kevin again fake his death as the second shot again didnt kill him, and waited for the right moment to scarper off for help. This became a key piece of evidence as the police now had a witness.
Kevin remembered how the BTK killer had tol him the he was ' a wanted man in california and was seeking a car to escape'. Kevin also stated that the BTK killer has commented ' Hey, haven't i seen you at University?'.
Kevin was the only surviour of the BTK killer.
Three years later, on 17th March 1977, the Witchita police had recieved a phone call for assistance at 1311 South Hydraulic Street. On arrival, they found the body of Shirley Vian. Just like the other victims Shirley had been bounded with cord, partly dressed but was suffocated with a plastic bag over her head. On further investigating the house, they found Vians Children locked in the closet. Vians son, Steve Relford, aged 5, had tragically witnesseed the whole incident by looking threw the keyhole of the door.
On 8th December 1977, the Witchita police recieve another phone call. This time the police were instructed to go to 843 South Pershing Street. The caller had told the police he had the driving licience of the woman he just murdered. On arrival at 843 South Pershing Street, police found the body of Nancy Jo Fox on the living room floor. On investigation they believed Fox had been killed the night befor and died of strangulation. Again semen was found but they concluded Nancy had not been raped. Police had also found that the nancy didnt not have any defensive wound leading to believe the BTK killer had very good control of his victims. He was either someone they knew, or felt comfortable with allowing into their homes.
After this incident, the BTK killer had gone silent. No communication was recieved linking into the BTK killings for several years, which made the police believe the killer was either dead or imprisoned else where, as it was believed by psycologists, serial killers did not have the will power to stop killing.
''How many do I have to kill, before I get my name in the paper or some national attention? Do the cops think that all those deaths are not related? Yes, the M.O. is different in each, but look at the pattern that is developing. The victims are tied up _ most have been women _ phone cut _ bring some bondage mater sadist tendencies _ no struggle, outside the death spot _ no witnesses except the Vian's kids...
After a thing like Fox, I come home and go about life like anyone else. And I will be like that until the urge hits me again...''
Five years later, in 1984, the police had set up the task force called 'The Ghostbusters'. This task force had deicded to look at the evidence the police had collected from the BTK killings, these were then examined by extensive computer analysis. They found the murders were all close by one another and believe the killer must have been local. From some of the letters BTK himself had sent, they found they were all impossible to trace as they had been put through copying machines several times. Unfortunately for the killer, one of the copies had been traced to the Wichita State University Library. This lead to the police believing it was either a current or ex-student that could possible have been the BTK killer.
On 27th April 1985, the body of Marine Hedge was found. Her body had been moved from the scene of the crime and disposed of else where. From the evidence found, police believed this murder must have been related to the BTK killings, even though the body was moved as the other victims were not moved. The police had decided it was either a copy-cat of the BTK killer or it could possibly be the return of the original BTK killer himself.
On 16th September 1986, Bill Wegerle had returned home to find the body of his wide Vicki Wegerle. She had been strangled and was sprawled out on their bedroom floor. Police were immediately notified and went straight to the address of Vicki Wegerle at 2400 block of West 13th Street. On investigation the found nothing had been stolen and the only thing to be missing was Vicki's driving licence. Although the evidence appeared to be similar to BTK killings, the police still were unsure whether these crimes were in connection with the original BTK killer, as there has been no communication with him for several years.
On January 19th 1991, the body of Dolores Davis had been found near a river in Sedwick County. On investigation police found that she had been abducted from her home, strangled and again her body was moved and disposed of near the river. The police had now finally concluded that the BTK killer was the main suspect.
Almost 20 years after the first murder was commited by the BTK killer, he was still at work, leading police to the assumption that this serial killer was 'part time', he could go on a killing spree, then stop, the resume his killing years later. This was difficult for the police to come to terms with. They had never came across a 'part time serial killer'.
New Letter!
Thirty years after the first murder,on 19th March 2004, Wichita police recieved a strange letter. The letter was postmarked 17th March 2004, with the return addres of Bill Thomas Killman ... (BTK). The letter had contained Vicki Wegerle's driver's license and thre photograph copies of her body. In the potographs, police had noted that the body and the clothes were moved into different positions for each shot. They was able to rule out the fact, they could have been crime scene photos, as the evidence is not allowed to be touched until all photographic evidence had been taken, so they knew these photo's must have been taken by the BTK killer. Police had now linked Vicki's murder to the BTK killings.
The return address on the letter was 1684 South Oldmanor. Police quickly drove to the location only to find an empty, vacant lot.
On 5th May 2004, ABC affiliate, KAKE, channel 12 in Wichita, Kansas had recieved a puzzle and photocopies of two employees identification cards. Neither employee had any idea on how anyone could have possibly got hold of a photocopy of their identification cards, especially third party. police were able to identify that it was the BTK killer that sent the letter, although it's meanign was unknown.
More Clues!
In late 2004, Wichita police Lieutenant Ken Landwehr, held a public news conference and released details about the BTK killer to reporters, details that were gained from the text of the BTK letters to the Wichita Eagle. Landwehr explained:
'In these letters, he has provided certain background information about himself which he claims is accurate.
The contents of the letters revealed an amazing amount of detail including the fact that he was born in 1939 (which would make BTK around 65 years old in 2004), that his family moved around often and always lived near railroad tracks, that his father was killed in World War II and he had been raised by his mother with the help of his grandmother, that his mother dated a railroad detective, that his grandfather played the fiddle and died of lung disease, that he had a cousin named Susan who lived in Missouri, and that he had once had a friend named Petra who had a younger sister named Tina.'
Police were unsure how accurate these statements were but did believe that at least parts of the information were correct.
As time went on more and more letter had arrived to the police along with more persnal items from the victims. The BTK killer had purposely left the key evidence items in public places for them to be found and to be handed to the police.
The police now knew the BTK killer had resurfaced and was now disposing the 'trophies' he had collected over the series of murders. Fortunately for the police the killer was disposing them hurrily and sloppily. Also whilst doing this, the BTK killer was filling in the gaps of where the police were confused on why BTK had done some of the things he did.
One example of this was one of the letter explaining why Shirley Vian's children were left alive.
'They were very lucky; a phone call saved them. I was going to tape the boys and put plastic bags over there heads like I did Joseph and Shirley - and then hang the girl. God-oh God what a beautiful sexual relief this would been.'
People then believed the BTK killer was readying himself to be caught out. they believe something could have possibly changed in the killers life to which he wanted to be caught, was something driving him to send clues to the police in order for the killer to be caught. Or was it the BTK killer decided to obtain the media hype he long desired by giving all this information on the 30th anniversary of the first deaths. Others believed the BTK killer was jealous of more recent publicity given to the 'Green River Killer' and the 'Washington Sniper'. Whatever the reason, the BTK killer was carelessly leaving vital clues.
On 25th February 2005, based on DNA evidence, Dennis Rader was unmasked as the BTK killer. Rader was arrested by Wichita Poilce Chief Norman Williams. Raders home was then search and his computer was siezed. He was accused of killing 10 people between 1974 and 1991.Rader confessed to the killing and details on the DNA have not been fully confirmed, but it was believed that the DNA obtained from Raders daughter, and the DNA from the crime scenes were a very close match meaning aclose relative had to be the killer ... Another major clue that solved the case was a floppy disk that was sent to the police. This was traced to Raders church. Furthermore, publicity from the letters recieved from the BTK killer, allowed the polivce to gain enough details from the general public to pinpoint Rader as the culprit.
In 1994, Kansas reinstated the death penalty, but this would not apply to Rader unless they could tie a cold case murder he commited after 1994. Currently Rader is serving 175 years to life in prison.