The Prosecutors: "You Might Also Like: Cold Case Files – Finding BTK"

Podcast: The Prosecutors (PodcastOne)
Episode Release: January 30, 2026
Episode Theme:
A gripping, detailed retelling of the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) serial killer investigation, arrest, confession, and sentencing, drawing on audio from "Cold Case Files," with firsthand insights from law enforcement and surviving family members. The episode demonstrates how the decades-long hunt concluded thanks to new forensic techniques, the killer's own arrogance, and relentless police work.

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode recounts the chilling case of Dennis Rader—the BTK Killer—who terrorized Wichita, Kansas, for nearly 30 years. Highlighting police procedural work, forensic breakthroughs, and psychological profiling, it details the investigation’s twists, Rader’s capture through a fatal digital mistake, his confessions, and the courtroom reckoning, all while spotlighting the emotional toll on victims’ families and the broader community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Horrors of BTK’s Crimes (01:17–07:55)

• Opening Context: BTK (Dennis Rader) was arrested on February 26, 2005, for multiple murders spanning from 1974 to 1991, starting with the Otero family.
• Survivor Testimony: Steve Relford, who at age six unknowingly let BTK into his home, recounts the trauma of witnessing his mother’s murder (03:03–04:19).
• Escalation and Methodology: Rader's killing rituals—binding, torturing, and killing his victims (05:15). Chilling details of the crime scenes, including sexual sadism and trophy-taking.
  • Quote: “He bound her feet and he bound her hands behind her...and while he was pulling her up, he hung her...as she was dying, he was masturbating close to her and got some semen on her leg.” (05:15, police recapping the Otero murder).

2. Public Fear and BTK’s Games (06:36–09:57)

• Community Impact: The Wichita community transformed—people became hyper-vigilant and fearful, women especially wary (06:36).
• BTK’s Correspondence: The killer taunted police with letters, demanding credit and notoriety, which included chilling confessions and codes ("bind them, torture them, kill them") (06:21–08:37).
  • Quote: “How many do I have to kill before I get a name in the paper or some national attention?”—BTK’s letter, read by news anchor (08:37).

3. Early Investigations and Innovations (09:57–12:18)

• Failed Leads and Cold Trails: Years of hysteria and uncertainty, debates over how many victims belonged to BTK (09:57).
• "Ghostbusters" Task Force: Formed in 1982, the unit, led by Jerry Harper and Dr. Stefan Brady, adopted DNA profiling (11:00).
• Technological Limitations & Progress: Early DNA testing allowed for some suspect elimination but no database existed yet (11:43).

4. The Long Silence and Sudden Return (12:40–14:44)

• Resurfacing After Decades: BTK re-emerges in 2004, sending a letter (and evidence) to The Wichita Eagle, linking himself to Vicki Wegerly’s unsolved murder (13:24).
• Police Response: DNA from Wegerly matched the BTK killings, but questioning 1,500 men yielded no suspects (14:19).

5. The Cat-and-Mouse Game Intensifies (14:39–16:58)

• BTK’s Fascination with Publicity: He sent novel-like chapters about his murders and life, included personal touches in letters to news anchors Susan Peters and Jeff Herndon (15:16–15:52).
  • Quote: “‘Sorry for Jeff and Susan's colds’...It was a little bit frightening.” —Susan Peters, ca. (15:39–15:53)
• Police Strategy: Authorities encouraged contact, certain that BTK would eventually make a mistake (16:12–16:42).

6. Breakthrough: The Fatal Floppy Disk Mistake (21:08–23:46)

• The Trap: Rader, seeking communication via technology, asked police if a floppy disk could be traced; police assured him (falsely) it could not (21:08–21:38).
• Forensic Coup: Metadata on the disk led Detective Randy Stone to Christ Lutheran Church’s computer, revealing the author as "Dennis"—Dennis Rader, church congregation president (22:53–23:33).
  • Quote: “...and then the next thing we look, statistics, and it shows here that was last saved by Dennis...” —Det. Randy Stone (22:53)

7. Surveillance, DNA, and the Arrest (24:02–28:14)

• Surveillance: Detectives confirmed Rader’s vehicle matched footage from a BTK package drop (24:31–24:46).
• Final Confirmation: Rader’s daughter’s medical records were subpoenaed, providing a familial DNA match to crime scene samples (27:21–27:39).
• Arrest: Rader was arrested peacefully, “never denying he’s BTK, never asking why we’re holding him” (28:14).

8. Interrogation & Confession (29:13–31:29)

• Cat-And-Mouse Dynamic: Rader enjoyed the police chase, but Lt. Landwehr pushed him to admit. Once he does (“Say who you are...I’m BTK”), Rader confesses fully (30:58–31:15).
• Previously Unknown Victims: Rader admits to two more murders—Maureen Hedge and Dolores Davis—both neighbors.

9. Courtroom Revelations: The Nature of BTK (32:27–38:25)

• Graphic Descriptions: In open court, Rader gives emotionless, graphic accounts of his crimes (33:01–34:41).
  • Quote: "He spoke very matter-of-factly, almost as if I'm speaking with you today." (33:01)
• Sexual Sadism & Pathology: Prosecutors and detectives testify to his autoerotic fantasies, obsession with bondage, and “juvenile” sexual fantasies that escalated to murder (35:19–36:25).

10. Victim Impact & Rader’s Bizarre Final Words (38:25–41:08)

• Family Testimony: Victims’ relatives confront Rader, expressing pain, rage, and a determination not to let his actions define their lives (38:35–39:24).
  • Quote: “If I embraced bitterness, I would remind you that you are nothing but a despicable child-murdering, cowardly, impotent eunuch and pervert masquerading as a human being.” (39:24)
• Rader’s Address: Rader draws disturbing parallels between himself and his victims, followed by thanks to his “supporters,” showing no remorse (39:34–41:03).
  • Quote: “I am the light of the world. Now that I've confessed, I expect to heal and to have life. And then hopefully someday God will accept me.” (41:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Impact of BTK:
  “This just didn't happen in Wichita, Kansas...That really shook up the people, that scared people to death.” —Larry Hatteberg (05:39)

• On Capturing BTK:
  “You can't get out your DNA unless you've had a total blood transfer and lost every organ. It's there.” —Lt. Landwehr (29:26)

• On the Cat-and-Mouse Nature:
  “He thought that this chase should go on forever and that it should be enjoyable for both of us.” —Lt. Landwehr (30:23)

• On a Survivor’s Closure:
  “Yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life...I'm gonna live it. I'm gonna be happy because I know this monstrous mother will never see daylight again.” (41:54)

Timeline of Major Events (selected timestamps)

• [01:17] — BTK’s arrest and the confirmation of his identity.
• [03:03–04:19] — Survivor testimony describing the murder of Shirley Vian.
• [05:15] — Detail of the Otero murders, introducing Rader’s sexual sadism.
• [06:21] — The first letter that ties multiple murders and coinage of "BTK".
• [13:24] — BTK’s return via letter to The Wichita Eagle after 25 years.
• [21:08–22:53] — The critical mistake: the floppy disk and the digital trail to Dennis Rader.
• [28:14] — The moment of arrest; Rader’s resignation and lack of resistance.
• [33:01–34:41] — Rader’s cold-blooded confessions in court.
• [39:24] — Victim family testimony, expressing decades of anguish and anger.
• [41:28] — Sentencing: Rader receives 10 consecutive life sentences.

Closing Reflections

The episode closes with Wichita law enforcement and victims' families expressing a mix of relief, exhaustion, and grim satisfaction. The investigation’s perseverance—paired with BTK’s own hubris—finally brought a local and national nightmare to an end.

• Final Words:
  “Dennis Raider is a pedophile. Dennis Raider is a serial killer. And Dennis Raider is where he belongs for the rest of his life.” —Lt. Ken Landwehr (42:48)

For listeners craving deep dives into the intersection of criminal investigation, psychology, and community trauma, this detailed account underscores the painstaking labor and emotional toll behind closing America’s coldest cases.