Oklahoma authorities are actively working to recover additional trophies that the notorious BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader, has claimed he hid in various locations. In a recent news conference, Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden announced that they have been provided with specific locations by Rader himself, and they are now working diligently to retrieve those items.
This development comes shortly after investigators discovered a cache of items, including trophies from at least one victim and bondage materials, at a hidden location on Rader’s former family property. Their search was prompted by a letter Rader had written in 2008 from prison, revealing the existence of buried trophies under the floor of a backyard shed.
Rader, who is now 78 years old, was arrested in 2005 and pleaded guilty to 10 murders committed in Wichita, Kansas, between the 1970s and 1990s. Known for his taunting communication with law enforcement, Rader sent clues about his murders prior to his capture. Currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences, Rader has been implicated as the prime suspect in the 1976 disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney, a 16-year-old girl, and several other unsolved crimes in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.
Federal authorities are assisting the ongoing investigation, which began in January, and the claims of five individuals who recently came forward as surviving victims of Rader are being examined for verification. Two of these individuals are from Oklahoma. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple tips following CNN’s exclusive report on detailed drawings of barns with female victims, created by Rader and recovered after his arrest. The sheriff urges anyone with information contradicting these drawings to come forward.
To aid in the investigation, a National BTK Task Force has been established, including investigatory experts, law enforcement officials, and prosecuting agencies. This task force, which includes the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Kansas Department of Corrections overseeing Rader’s imprisonment, aims to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated effort to uncover the truth.
With the assistance of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, local authorities are determined to bring closure to the families of victims and shed light on the crimes committed by the BTK killer. By meticulously following leads, verifying claims, and uncovering potential hidden evidence, they hope to provide justice to those affected by Rader’s heinous acts.
