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works for a camping gear company for a few years.
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The same year he commits his first crime.
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The BTK killer is born
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Rader killed Kathryn Bright by stabbing and strangling, and attempted to kill her brother, Kevin. Kevin was shot twice, but survived. He described Rader as "an average-sized guy, bushy mustache, 'psychotic' eyes," according to a TIME magazine article.
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In October 1974, Rader sought fame and attention for his crimes, placing a letter in a public library book in which he took responsibility for killing the Oteros. “It was this moment that victim was tied and bound. He could live in that moment for years.”
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Rader's next known crimes occurred in 1977. In March of that year, he tied up and strangled Shirley Vian after locking her children in the bathroom.
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BTK strangles Nancy Fox in her home and then calles the police to tell them about the homicide.
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sent a poem to a local newspaper about the Vian killing in January 1978.
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Rader waits in an elderly woman’s home, leaves before she came home. He sends her a letter to let her know that the BTK Killer had been there.
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“I remember problems with Josephine because her hair was in the way.”
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His final known victim was Dolores Davis was taken from her home on January 19, 1991.
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Rader sent local media outlets and authorities a number of letters. These were filled with items related to his crimes, including pictures of one of the victims, a word puzzle, and an outline for the "BTK Story."
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Rader was arrested on February 25, 2005, and later charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder. Some neighbors and members of his church, where he served as president of the church council, were stunned by the news and could not believe that the man they knew was the serial killer that had haunted the area for so long.
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Rader admits to all accounts of murder, he is now serving 10 consecutive life sentences
“I brought the community, victims and families dishonor. It's all self-centered. ... I would call myself a sexual predator. Today is the day of judgment for me.”