The BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader, has been identified as the “prime suspect” in two unsolved killings in Oklahoma and Missouri. Authorities have begun digging near Rader’s former property in Park City, Kansas, in an effort to uncover additional evidence. The investigation began with the re-examination of the 1976 disappearance of Cynthia Kinney, a 16-year-old cheerleader in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Rader, who was a regional installer for ADT at the time, is suspected of installing new alarms across the street from the laundromat where Kinney was last seen. The investigation has since expanded into other unsolved murders and missing persons cases.
Rader is also considered the prime suspect in the death of 22-year-old Shawna Beth Garber in McDonald County, Missouri. Garber’s body was discovered in 1990, but her remains were not identified until 2021. Rader, known as the BTK killer, operated from 1974 to 1991, giving himself that nickname which stands for “bind, torture and kill.” He was arrested in 2005 after resuming communications with the police and media. Rader ultimately confessed to 10 killings in the Wichita area and is currently serving 10 consecutive life prison terms.
Authorities have not released specific information about the recent search near Rader’s former property, but have described the items found as “items of interest.” The items will be thoroughly examined to determine their relevance to the case. The investigation involves cooperation between the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies. Rader’s daughter, Kerri Rawson, has been working with investigators and hopes to find answers regarding her father’s potential involvement in other cases.