Monster: BTK - Bonus Episode: Susan Visits the Sites

Release Date: March 10, 2025

In the bonus episode titled "Susan Visits the Sites" of Monster: BTK, listeners are taken on an emotional journey through Wichita, Kansas—the haunting backdrop of Dennis Rader's (BTK) heinous crimes. Hosted by Susan Peters, alongside writers and producers Nomes Griffin and Jesse Funk, the episode delves deep into the real-life locations connected to BTK's murders, providing a poignant exploration of the lasting impact on the community and the victims' families.

Introduction to the Site Visits

[02:09] Nomes Griffin: Nomes Griffin, one of the episode’s writers and producers, sets the stage by recounting the production team's three-day trip to Wichita. Their primary goal was to interview key figures such as Steve Relford, Charlie Otero, Bob Smizer, and Larry Hadteburg while Susan Peters acted as their guide through the city she calls home. This immersive approach aimed to bring authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative.

Visiting the Otero Family Home

[03:20] Nomes Griffin: The first significant location visited was the former home of the Otero family, victims of BTK. Susan shared her experience accompanying Steve Relford to the site, emphasizing the emotional weight of the visit.

[04:01] Tim Harford: Tim Harford, a co-producer, provides a vivid description of the Otero house:

"I have a pit in the middle of my stomach. It is so, so haunting because you look at the front door, everything's the same. It's a small white home where a wonderful family lived in an average part of town in Wichita, Kansas."

Harford reflects on the transformation of Wichita from a "sleepy, safe town" into a place marked by horror due to BTK's actions. He poignantly notes:

"The Otero family home here on Edgemoor Street is the beginning of the changing of the Wichita community. From a sleepy, safe town where no one locked their doors to a town of, well, for years. Horror."

Returning to Steve Relford’s Childhood Home

[06:28] Nomes Griffin: Next, the team visits the childhood home of Steve Relford, BTK's only surviving victim and the son of one of the victims, Shirley Vianne.

[06:37] Tim Harford: Harford describes the house's unchanged appearance and recounts the emotional moment when Steve returned to the site for the first time since his mother's murder:

"Steve knelt down in his mom's bedroom and started saying a prayer and cried his eyes out. It was the first time he had been back since the day of the murder."

He further elaborates on the lingering anger and frustration:

"My only other feeling besides complete sadness is very, very much anger. Absolutely."

Visiting Katherine Bright's Former Residence

[09:31] Nomes Griffin: The episode then moves to the site of Katherine Bright's murder in 1974. The original houses have been demolished, but remnants like foundation marks and the old mailbox remain.

[10:25] Tim Harford: Harford provides context about the bustling area where Katherine was killed:

"There had to have been so many. There were businesses on this corner. Kevin Bright, after he was shot, ran from this corner down to a business down the street and said, call the police."

Reflections on the BTK Impact

[11:04] Nomes Griffin: As the team visits these sites, Susan reflects on the persistent presence of BTK's legacy in Wichita.

[11:11] Tim Harford: Harford discusses BTK's audacity, highlighting his choice to commit crimes in busy areas to taunt authorities:

"Dennis Raider had such an ego that he never thought he was going to be caught. He was a brazen, evil person."

Exploring the Cake TV Station

[12:02] Nomes Griffin: The tour proceeds to the Cake TV station, where Susan recounts her memories as a news anchor during the BTK investigation.

[12:19] Tim Harford: Harford shares a harrowing memory of covering BTK’s preliminary hearing:

"We sat in that corner with our mouths dropped open for four hours as Dennis Raider described in detail, every single murder in detail."

He expresses the emotional toll it took:

"I was crying for the victims' families who were in the courtroom that day."

Final Reflections and Community Resilience

[25:07] Nomes Griffin: Nomes Griffin discusses the discovery of BTK-related mementos recently unearthed in Park City, Oklahoma, tying it back to the ongoing investigations and the community's resilience.

[26:46] Susan Peters: Susan observes the lingering effects of BTK’s presence on the community:

"When everything's done with the new investigations and what do you think should be done to this property? Should you just leave it as land or should they...?"

[28:13] Tim Harford: Harford suggests transforming the site into something positive, such as a food pantry or a mini-park, to help the community move forward:

"If they built something here that people could name, maybe a mini park here, the city of Park City could build... kids could play and recreate."

[29:01] Susan Peters: Susan concurs, envisioning a dog park or similar community space:

"And as I'm sitting here and looking, you know, a dog park."

Conclusion: The Quest for Closure

[26:54] Tim Harford: Reflecting on the persistent scrutiny of BTK-related sites:

"It's almost like we're turning this place where an evil parasite used to live into something nice for children, into something that will help children grow and play and thrive."

[29:12] Nomes Griffin: Nomes Griffin wraps up the episode by acknowledging the emotional difficulty of the trip but emphasizes the importance of covering such impactful stories:

"The demolition of Dennis Rader's home should have signaled the finality of this case. But walking past the torn-up sidewalk, it just goes to show you that closure is fickle."

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Impact: The episode poignantly captures the lingering trauma and emotional scars left by BTK's crimes on the victims' families and the Wichita community.

• Community Resilience: Despite the horrors of the past, Wichita demonstrates resilience and a desire to transform sites of tragedy into spaces of healing and growth.

• Quest for Closure: The visit to these sites underscores the complexity of finding closure in the aftermath of such pervasive evil, highlighting that the quest for healing is ongoing.

Notable Quotes:

• "Dennis Raider had such an ego that he never thought he was going to be caught. He was a brazen, evil person." — Tim Harford [11:20]

• "I was crying for the victims' families who were in the courtroom that day." — Tim Harford [13:42]

• "The demolition of Dennis Rader's home should have signaled the finality of this case. But walking past the torn-up sidewalk, it just goes to show you that closure is fickle." — Nomes Griffin [26:46]

This bonus episode of Monster: BTK offers a deeply moving exploration of the physical and emotional landscapes shaped by one of America's most notorious serial killers. Through site visits and heartfelt reflections, listeners gain a profound understanding of the enduring legacy of Dennis Rader's crimes and the unwavering strength of those affected by them.