Dennis Rader, known as the “BTK” (bind, torture, kill) killer, was confronted for the last time by his daughter, Kerri Rawson, during a tense prison meeting that ended their relationship permanently. Rawson, who had previously struggled with the dual identity of her father as both parent and murderer, now says she has no intention of ever seeing him again.
The confrontation took place at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas, where Rader is serving multiple life sentences for the murders of ten people committed between 1974 and 1991. Rawson said the three-hour conversation left her shaken, describing Rader’s behavior as manipulative and gaslighting. She stated, “It was like I wasn’t talking to my dad. It was like I was talking to a subhuman.”
Rawson had initially re-engaged with her father in recent years to help investigators explore whether Rader was connected to several unsolved cold cases. Her participation was part of an effort to bring closure to other victims’ families. But what began as cooperation with law enforcement evolved into a personal reckoning.
During the visit, Rawson confronted Rader about disturbing past writings, including a journal entry where he mentioned her in the context of a so-called “bondage game” in a bathtub. She now suspects there may have been abuse she hadn’t previously remembered. The conversation confirmed for her that any remaining emotional tie to her father was over.
She said she left the prison shaking and emotionally rattled. The encounter clarified for her that her father, now 80 years old, would never be honest or remorseful. Rawson said she is “OK with not seeing him again” and has formally ended their relationship.
Now, she is dedicating her efforts to helping others who discover that a family member has committed violent crimes. Rawson’s experience provides support and guidance for others navigating the trauma of being related to someone responsible for horrific acts.
