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BTK’s Capture: The Dumbest Moment in True Crime History?
Serial Killer with a Double Life
Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK Killer, managed to maintain an astonishing double life. He was a loving father and a respected church leader, all while brutally murdering at least ten people between 1974 and 1991.
A Taunting Serial Killer
Rader went above and beyond to taunt investigators and the media. He even gave himself the name BTK, short for "bind, torture, kill." He sent threatening poems and packages with dolls in creepy positions, making himself the epitome of a cliché serial killer.
The Dumbest Moment in True Crime History
Rader's arrest in February 2005 was one for the books. Wanting to further taunt the police, he sent them a letter asking if they could trace a floppy disk. The police responded via a newspaper ad, assuring him it was impossible. However, when Rader sent them a floppy disk containing more ramblings, investigators found metadata linking it to him within minutes.
His Wife's Innocence
Rader's wife, Paula Dietz, had no idea about her husband's true nature until the day he was arrested. She played no part in his capture and was shocked by the accusations against him. Paula immediately cut off all contact with Rader after his confession and was granted an emergency divorce on the same day she applied for it.
A Silent Life
Since the divorce, Paula has never visited Rader in prison or written him a letter. Her daughter, Kerri Rawson, revealed that Paula has dealt with the situation as if her husband died on the day of his arrest. She has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the events surrounding Rader's capture.
The Daughter's Forgiveness
On the other hand, Kerri Rawson, Rader's daughter, maintains a correspondence with her father and claims to have forgiven him. However, she admits that being the daughter of a serial killer is a lonely and unimaginable experience.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, please contact RAINN or the National Sexual Abuse Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Written by a London-based writer who will go to great lengths to cover topics like 'Metal Gear Solid' or 'Resident Evil'.
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