True Crime Garage: Mindhunter /// Part 3 /// 870

Original Air Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Nic and the Captain

Episode Overview

In Part 3 of True Crime Garage’s "Mindhunter" series, Nic and the Captain dissect episodes 4-6 of the acclaimed Netflix series Mindhunter. They draw connections between the show’s dramatization and real-world cases, delve into the psychology and methodology of serial killers (particularly BTK), and explore the burgeoning field of criminal profiling as it evolved in the 1970s. The hosts blend historical facts, true crime lore, and their signature garage camaraderie to illuminate both the series and actual investigations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. BTK (Dennis Rader) and His Depiction in 'Mindhunter'

• Opening Scene Analysis (03:28–04:23):
  The episode opens on the ADT serviceman (BTK) in a tense scene, setting the tone for his duality—family man vs. serial murderer.

  “At this point, we can infer that the ADT serviceman is becoming BTK or already has submitted to some of his deep seated and guarded urges of binding, torturing and killing…” – Nic (03:28)

• Access to Victims via ADT Job:
  Rader’s work allowed him regular access to homes and “future projects,” emphasizing the dangers of unchecked authority figures.

  "His capacity as the ADT man allows him into the homes of many people day after day, where he is getting used to the layout of people’s homes..." – Nic (04:41)

• Communication With Media & Cops:
  The hosts detail real instances where BTK sent letters for recognition, such as “the I did it letter” and the “how many do I have to kill?” communiques, connecting the dramatized show to actual police missteps.

  "He wanted to get his name in the paper. He wanted his moniker, BTK, to be known and feared." – Nic (21:54)

• Frustrations With Rader’s Desire for Fame:

  “It’s so desperate and frankly pathetic that he's creating his own name, sending a long list of suggestions of names to be called.” – Nic (24:07)

2. Analyzing Serial Killers: Monty Risell and Others

• Monty Risell Background (04:41–07:46):
  Nic provides a case history of Risell—abandonment, start of criminal behavior as a teen, confessions, and parole denial.
• Interview Tactics and Psychology:
  The hosts reflect on how agents (like Tench) elicit confessions and the reciprocal curiosity between agents and killers about each other’s motives.

  “Tench saying, we want to figure out why you do what you do. And Russell replying, yeah, I would like to know as well." – Nic (07:50)

• Serial Killers Wanting Answers:

  "When Dahmer is caught and the FBI is talking to him…all he asked for is, ‘Can you help me figure out why I am the way I am?’" – Captain (08:34)

3. Profiling Developments and the Real-Life Basis

• Failings and Learning Curves (14:35–15:11):
  Early efforts at profiling (“white male loner who hunts at night”) highlighted inexperience, but also the beginnings of more sophisticated analyses.

  "Their experience and basically the path of their thought ways are coming through in the interrogation of this case during the show…" – Captain (15:11)

• Basement Office Details – Pushpins Map (34:02–34:06):
  A map with serial killers’ names acts as a visual clue to the wide reach and ambition of the profilers' work.

4. Real Cases Inspiring Fiction

• Beverly Jean / Betty Jean Shade Case (13:25–14:35; 36:44):
  The podcast draws direct parallels between the show's cases and true events (e.g., Betty Jean Shade’s murder and its investigation).
• Misconceptions About Killers:
  The “serial killer only strikes at night” myth is debunked with real crime examples (15:53).

5. Profiling the Family Man Killer – Dual Lifestyles

• BTK’s Family and “Cubism” (38:48–47:43):
  An extended discussion occurs on how Dennis Rader embodied both the suburban dad and sadistic murderer.

  "He calls it cubism, where he talks about himself as...a different part of Dennis Raider of BTK." – Nic (47:43)

• Can Killer’s Show Real Love?
  The hosts debate whether these killers’ ‘caring’ for their families was genuine or simply a façade to aid their deceptions.

• Revelations by BTK’s Daughter (43:04–44:56):
  Explicit mention is made of Carrie Rawson’s revelations about her father, including the 2024 CrimeCon disclosure of sexual abuse.

6. The Evolution of FBI Profiling

• Emergence of Behavioral Science Unit (30:48–34:02, 53:52–53:58):
  The real-life shift toward hands-on casework, as exemplified by John Douglas’s later years, is depicted via the show’s characters and discussed by the hosts.

• Dr. Wendy Carr / Dr. Ann Burgess (50:49–53:58):
  They acknowledge Carr’s roots in the contributions of Dr. Ann Burgess and Roy Hazelwood, crediting the real-life pioneers of offender profiling.

  “If you attended CrimeCon Denver, you already know that Dr. Burgess is an absolute delight and a true gem, and we will get to know her a bit more as we get to know the Wendy Carr character…” – Nick (51:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On the twisted logic of serial killers:

  "These guys lie about just about everything, right? …And this is something that we find with a lot of these types." – Nic (07:46)

• On serial killers wanting answers for themselves:

  "All he (Dahmer) asked for is, can you help me figure out why I am the way I am?" – Captain (08:34)

• On profiling’s early stumbles:

  “White male loner who hunts at night is super vague, obviously. But it also would just fall into with what little they knew at the time.” – Nic (14:35)

• On the compulsion for recognition:

  "He wanted to get his name in the paper. He wanted his moniker, BTK, to be known and feared." – Nic (21:54)

• On the “cubism” of BTK:

  “He talks about himself as…a different part of Dennis Raider of BTK. BTK is one of those parts. But you can only see the front panel, the front side of the cube. That's what he chose to show everybody.” – Nic (47:43)

• On abuse revelations:

  "At the 2024 CrimeCon in Nashville, Tennessee…Carrie presented excerpts from her father's journal that revealed he had sexually abused her when she was a child." – Nic (44:42)

• On the legacy of offender profiling:

  “Roy Hazelwood had a much more hands-on role with the BSU than what the Shepard character has in the show. And he was both a leader and a teacher for the BSU.” – Nic (52:26)

Important Timestamps for Segments

• Intro and Beer Shoutouts: 01:40–03:11
• Discussion of BTK/ADT Man Scenes: 03:28–04:23; 21:54–24:07
• Monty Risell Interview Analysis: 04:41–08:53
• Misconceptions/Profiling Myths: 14:35–15:53
• Case Parallel—Beverly Jean / Betty Jean Shade: 13:25–14:35; 36:44–38:48
• BTK Duality & Family Life: 38:48–47:43
• Carrie Rawson & Abuse Revelation: 43:04–44:56
• Profiler Unit and Dr. Wendy Carr/Ann Burgess: 50:49–53:58

Flow & Tone

True Crime Garage delivers this deep dive with its signature blend of dark humor, methodical research, and candid banter. The hosts move seamlessly from technical analysis to personal musings, showing genuine outrage at offender behavior and fascination with investigative breakthroughs. Their irreverent tone helps balance uncomfortable subject matter, and their attention to detail—both real-life and dramatic—makes the episode accessible and insightful for both seasoned true crime fans and newcomers.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

• If you’re watching Mindhunter or studying the evolution of criminal profiling, this episode provides extensive context and real-life connections.
• The hosts’ discussion around BTK and serial killer psychology offers a sobering look at how seemingly “ordinary” lives can mask nightmarish realities.
• The episode underscores how criminal profiling has grown from rudimentary guesses to a science driven by collaboration and tragedy.
• Listeners gain an appreciation for the real people whose stories inspired the series and the agents whose innovations changed law enforcement.

Final Notes

Stay tuned for the finale of the Mindhunter series; as always, Nic and the Captain close with a reminder to “be good, be kind, and don’t litter.”