Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK serial killer, has been named the prime suspect in the 1976 cold case involving the disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma initially labeled Rader as a prime suspect, but the local District Attorney, Mike Fisher, stated that there is currently insufficient information to file charges against him.
Despite the lack of evidence, District Attorney Fisher recently requested a formal investigation into Kinney’s disappearance due to the public interest in the revived case. If any new evidence emerges, Fisher expressed his willingness to file charges against Rader.
However, Sheriff Eddie Virden criticized the District Attorney’s comments, stating that he was absolutely furious and accused Fisher of attempting to halt further interviews between Rader and investigators by contacting the prison where Rader is held. Virden argued that the Sheriff’s Office has made significant progress in the case and Fisher’s comments were based on incomplete information.
During their interaction, Rader himself allegedly told Sheriff Virden, guess I’m cleared, upon hearing Fisher’s statement that officials didn’t have any evidence against him. The Sheriff confirmed that the matter would be addressed through the proper channels and assured that they would continue pursuing leads.
Dennis Rader gained notoriety as the self-proclaimed BTK killer, which stands for bind, torture, kill. He was involved in a cat-and-mouse game with investigators for several decades before being apprehended in 2005. Rader ultimately confessed to ten murders committed between the 1970s and 1990s in the Wichita, Kansas area. He is currently serving multiple life terms in prison.
Recently, Rader was also identified as the prime suspect in the 1976 disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and the 1990 murder of Shawna Beth Garber in McDonald County, Missouri.
Sheriff Virden initiated the investigation into Kinney’s disappearance after discovering that Rader had included the phrase bad laundry day in his writings. However, District Attorney Fisher has cited a lack of concrete evidence and referred to the information received so far as rumors that have not been substantiated.
Fisher expressed concern about the Sheriff’s Department’s handling of a dig for evidence at Rader’s former property in Park City, Kansas last month, which strained their relationship. He also emphasized his concern for Kinney’s parents, who met with him and have been affected physically by the speculation surrounding their daughter’s disappearance.
Despite the lack of evidence, the Sheriff’s Office announced the formation of a National BTK Task Force to provide assistance in solving Kinney’s cold case. The task force includes various experts and agencies, including Nancy Grace, a former prosecutor and media personality, Sheryl Mac McCollum, the task force coordinator and CSI, Paul Holes, a cold case investigator, and Rader’s own daughter, Kerri Rawson, who has been assisting investigators.
As the investigation continues, authorities hope to gather more evidence to shed light on the disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney while ensuring justice is served.
