Ep 28. Dennis Raider, BTK

Dennis Raider, better known as BTK, was one of America's most notorious serial killers. He terrorized Wichita, Kansas for over three decades, but police were unable to identify and apprehend him until 2005. In this episode of Killer Mysteries, viewers will learn about the evolution of Raider's criminal behavior, from voyeurism and theft to rape and murder.

The show begins by providing some background on Raider's upbringing. He was born in 1945 in Pittsburg, Kansas, and raised in a strict Lutheran household. Although he was a shy and socially awkward child, Raider married and had two children. Throughout the 1970s, he began to show signs of violent behavior, including animal cruelty and setting fires. However, it wasn't until his first known murder in 1974 that Raider became known to law enforcement.

Over the next several years, Raider continued to taunt the police and the media with cryptic letters and clues that he left at crime scenes. He even sent a poem to the Wichita Eagle-Beacon in 1978 claiming responsibility for several of the murders. Despite their efforts, investigators were unable to identify Raider or gather enough evidence to make an arrest.

In 1985, Raider went dormant and stopped killing for several years. However, he resumed his violent behavior in 1991 and continued to target women and children until his arrest in 2005. During this time, Raider was working as a compliance officer for a home security company, which gave him access to potential victims' homes and allowed him to monitor their movements.

The second half of the episode focuses on the investigation and eventual capture of Raider. Viewers will learn about the pivotal role that DNA evidence played in his capture, as well as the emotional impact that his crimes had on the families of his victims. The show also explores the question of why Raider continued to kill for so many years, even though he knew that authorities were actively searching for him.

Overall, this episode of Killer Mysteries provides a detailed and chilling account of one of America's most notorious serial killers. From Raider's disturbing childhood to his eventual capture, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the psychological makeup of a serial killer and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to bring them to justice.