🗂️ Fact Sheet: Dennis Rader (“BTK”) & Oklahoma

What We Know (Confirmed Information)

✅ Known Crimes

  • Dennis Lynn Rader, known as the “BTK Killer,” was convicted of 10 murders committed in Wichita, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991.
  • All known victims were located in or near Sedgwick County, Kansas.

✅ Confessions and Statements

  • Rader confessed in detail to his 10 Kansas murders after his 2005 arrest.
  • He has never claimed responsibility for any crimes in Oklahoma.
  • His known pattern and victim locations are well-documented through court records and interviews.

✅ Oklahoma Investigation (2023–2024)

  • The Osage County Sheriff’s Office (Oklahoma) opened an investigation into possible links between Rader and the 1976 disappearance of 16-year-old Cynthia Dawn Kinney from Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
  • Investigators conducted a search of Rader’s former home in Park City, Kansas, and collected potential evidence related to that case.
  • In September 2023, prosecutors stated there was insufficient evidence to charge Rader in the Kinney case.
  • As of 2025, no official charges or verified evidence connect him to Kinney or any other Oklahoma case.

✅ Rader’s Own Position

  • Through correspondence and interviews, Rader has denied involvement in any murders outside of Kansas.

What We Don’t Know (Unverified or Unproven Information)

⚠️ No Confirmed Oklahoma Victims

  • There are no confirmed or publicly verified victims of Dennis Rader in the state of Oklahoma.

⚠️ Possible Links Under Review

  • Some law enforcement officials have considered Rader a “person of interest” in one or more unsolved Oklahoma cases, but this does not mean guilt or direct evidence exists.
  • Any connection remains investigative and unsubstantiated.

⚠️ No Physical or Forensic Evidence

  • As of now, there has been no DNA, fingerprint, or physical evidence tying Rader to any Oklahoma crime scene.

⚠️ No Self-Incriminating Statements

  • Rader has not confessed to any murders in Oklahoma, and there are no verified statements where he has claimed to have traveled or killed here.

Why This Distinction Matters

Oklahoma Cold Cases values curiosity — it’s part of what keeps unsolved cases alive. However, accuracy is vital.

  • Unverified claims can unintentionally mislead the public and divert attention from victims whose cases still need answers.
  • Our mission is to keep the focus on evidence and truth, ensuring families receive justice grounded in fact.

If new, credible information emerges, we will share it promptly and transparently.
Until then, please join us in focusing on verified details and victim advocacy over unconfirmed connections.

Oklahoma Cold Cases, Inc.
Silence is betrayal.

(c)2017, Oklahoma Cold Cases, Inc. All rights reserved

Teal and white Oklahoma Cold Cases Logo is a Trademark of Oklahoma Cold Cases, Inc..

Slogan “Silence is Betrayal” is a Trademark of Oklahoma Cold Cases, Inc..

Trademarks may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. No claim to copyright is made for original U.S. Government Works.