B.T.K. Facts & Speculations
On Communications
 
Communications began with a phone call to the Wichita Eagle
in 1974, stopped for years, then began again in 2004
Green represents any information that we know, or are fairly sure is true.
Yellow shows rumors, speculations, any information that is not
verified by other sources. Information known to be wrong is in red.
At the bottom is a table of sources. Some are referenced here,
Some aren't, but all are good places read through for information.

 

Communication Information
         
Date Type Confirmed Contents  
    from BTK?    
         
Oct. 22, Phone Call to Don Granger Yes "Listen and listen good, I'm only going to say this once" E13
1974 in charge of the tips   Directed Granger to a letter in a mechanical engineering K5
  hotline for the Wichita   textbook at the Wichita Public Library. Granger described  
  Eagle   the voice as hard and agressive. No accent, perhaps  
      Midwestern US. Seemed to be 25-35, and someone "who  
      was used to giving orders. Not someone who wanted to  
      give orders, someone who was used to giving orders.  
      Granger forwarded the tip to police, who retrieved the  
      letter. The caller may have identified the book by catalog  
      number.  
         
 
         
Oct. 22 Letter retrieved by Det. Yes "I write this letter to you for the sake of the tax E1
1974 Bernie Drowatsky from a   payer as well as your time. Those three dude you 27
  mechanical engineering   have in custody are just talking to get publicity K5
  textbook at Wichita   of teh Otero murders. They know nothing at all.  
  Public Library. K7   I did this by myself and with no ones help.  
      There has been no talk either. Let's put this  
  This letter, and the phone   straight"  
  call giving instructions on   *Description of murders, victims, bodies, scene*  
  where to find it, had to be   "I'm sorry this happen to society. They are the  
  after Oct. 18th, when the   ones who suffer the most. It hard to control  
  third suspect was picked   myself. You probably call me 'psychotic with  
  up, and before Oct. 24,   sexual perversion hang-up' When this monster  
  when police placed a   enter my brain I will never know. But, it here to  
  classified ad in an attempt   stay. How does one cure himself? If you ask  
  to communicate with   for help, that you have killed four people they  
  BTK. The letter consisted   will laugh or hit the panic button and call the  
  of two typewritten pages. 14   cops.  
      I can't stop it so, the monster goes on, and hurt  
      me as well as society. Society can be  
      thankfull that there are ways for people like me  
      to relieve myself at time by day dreams of some  
      victim being torture and being mine. It a big  
      compicated game my friend of the monster  
      play putting victims number down, follow them,  
      checking up on them waiting in the dark,  
      waiting, waiting... the pressure is great and  
      sometimes he run the game to his liking. Maybe  
      you can stop him. I can't. He is areadly chosen  
      his next victim or victims. I don't know, but it to  
      late. Good luck hunting.  
         
      YOURS TRULY GUILILY  
         
      *no signature*  
         
      P.S. Since sex criminals do not change their  
      M.O. or by nature cannot do so, I will not change  
      mine. The code words for me will be... Bind  
      them, toture them, kill them, B.T.K., you see he  
      at it again. They will be on the next victim."  
         
         
         
Oct 24- Police run a classified ad N/A "BTK E1
27, '74 to BTK.   Help is available 14
      Call 684-6321 before 10 p.m."  
         
 
         
Oct. 31, Granger runs a column N/A   E1
1974 in the Eagle inviting BTK     14
  to call the number. He also      
  gives his home phone      
  number.      
         
 
         
Dec. 9, Phone call from a pay Yes Dispatcher: Dispatcher. E1
1977 phone at Central & St. generally Caller: Yes, you will find a homicide at 843 S. Pershing. E7
8:20 am Francis to a police believed to Nancy Fox.  
  dispatcher via operator be BTK Dispatcher: I'm sorry sir, I can't understand you. What  
    who called is the address?  
  Per FBI, tape was too short   Operator: 843 S. Pershing  
  and contained too much   Caller: That is correct.  
  background noise for      
  voiceprint comparison with      
  suspects. E9      
         
 
         
postmark Envelope sent to Wichita Yes 3x5 index card containing a 7 line poem, printed with 27
1/31/78 Eagle with 3x5 index card   a childs block printing set. It began "Shirley Locks, E1
  inside. It was mistaken for   Shirley Locks, Wilt thou be mine?" E5
  a Valentines Day poem &      
  sent to the classified ads   The original poem appeared in GAMES magazine as  
  department.   follows  
      Curley Locks, Curley Locks,  
      Wilt thou be mine?  
      Though shalt not wash dishes,  
      nor yet feed the swine.  
      But sit on a cushion,  
      and sew a fine seam,  
      And feed upon strawberries,  
      sugar and cream.  
         
 
         
Feb 10, Two page, single-spaced Yes Excerpts were released by Wichita police. E1
1978 letter arrives at KAKE-tv.   "How many people do I have to kill before I get my name 3
      in the paper or some national attention?" 27
  A detective took this letter   The killer claimed he was compelled to kill by "factor-x",  
  to Xerox headquarters in   the same factor that motivated Son of Sam in NY, Jack  
  Syracuse, NY, where a lab   the Ripper in London, and the Hillside Strangler in Los  
  technician determined it   Angeles. "it seems senseless but we cannot help it",  
  was a 5th generation copy   "There is no help, no cure except death or being caught  
  of the original. Police   and put away", "A little paragraph in the newspaper  
  learned that the machine   would have been enough.", "After a thing like Fox, I come  
  used to make this copy   home and go about life like anyone else.", "I find the  
  was in the Wichita State   newspaper not writing about the poem on Vian  
  University Library.   unamusing. A little paragraph would have been enough. I  
      know it not the news media fault. The Police Chief he  
      keep things quiet.", "You don't understand these things  
      because your not under the influence of factor x. The  
      same thing that made Son of Sam, Jack the Ripper,  
      Harvey Glatman, Boston Strangler, Dr. H.H. Holmes  
      Panty Hose Strangler of Florida, Hillside Strangler, Ted of  
      the West Coast and many more infamous character kill.",  
      "P.S. How about some name for me, it's time: 7 down  
      and many more to go. I like the following. How about  
      you? 'THE B.T.K. STRANGLER, 'WICHITA STRANGLER',  
      'POETIC STRANGLER', 'THE BONDAGE STRANGER'  
      OR 'PSYCHO'. 'THE WICHITA HANGMAN', THE  
      WICHITA EXECUTIONER, 'THE GAROTE PHATHOM',  
      'THE ASPHYXIATOR"  
      This letter may have been one that contained threats 22
      against local news anchor Rose Stanley, "I'm gonna get  
      that news lady."  
         
      Also contained were a detailed sketch of the Fox crime 3
      scene (reportedly of lab photo quality), and a poem. The  
      poem was patterned after a song titled "O Death" which  
      was found at the time in a WSU folklore textbook.  
         
      Oh! Death to Nancy  
         
      What is this taht (sic) I can see  
      Cold icy hands taking hold of me  
      for Death has come, you all can see  
         
      Hell has open it,s (sic) gate to trick me  
         
      Oh! Death, Oh! Death, can't you spare  
      me, over to another year!  
         
      I'll stuff your jaws till you can't talk  
      I'll blind (sic) your leg's (sic) till you can't walk  
      I'll tie your hands till you can't make a  
      stand.  
         
      And finally I'll close your eyes so you  
      can't see  
      I'll bring sexual death unto you for me.  
         
      BTK  
         
      Either this communication or the previous one also 27
      contained information regarding Shirley Vians children.  
      "They were very lucky; a phone call save them. I was  
      going to tape the boys and put plastics bag over there  
      head like I did Joseph, and Shirley. And then hang the  
      girl. God-oh God what a beautiful sexual relief this  
      would have been..."  
         
 
         
Apr. 8, Note in the home of   Supposedly informed the victim that BTK had grown 3
1979 Anna Williams   tired of waiting. This source is the only one on this  
      information, and the break - in did not occur until 20  
      days after the note was purportedly left in the home.  
      It does not seem, through other sources, that BTK was  
      even connected to this break - in until June 15, '79  
         
 
         
June 15, Letter delivered by US Mail Yes Neatly addressed in printed block letters. Contained a E1
1979 to the home of Anna   sketch, an article each of clothing and jewelry that had E8
  Williams. It was in an 8 1/2   been stolen on April 28, and a 19 line poem.  
  x 11" manilla envelope. The      
  mailman handed the mail   Oh Anna Why didn't You Appear  
  to Mrs. Williams daughter,   T' was perfect plan of deviant pleasure so bold on that  
  who opened it. She did not   Spring nite  
  show it to her mother, but   My inner felling hot with propension of the new awakening  
  immediately called the   season  
  police.      
      Warn, wet with inner fear and rapture, my pleasure of  
      entanglement,  
      like new vines at night  
         
      Oh, Anna, Why Didn't You Appear  
      Drop of fresh Spring rain would roll down from your  
      nakedness  
      to scent to lofty fever that burns within,  
      in that small world of longing, fear, rapture, and  
      desparation,  
      the game we play,fall on devil's ears  
      Fantasy spring forth, mounts, to storm fury, then  
      winter clam at  
      the end.  
         
      Oh, Anna Why Didn't You Appear  
      Alone, now in another time span I lay with sweet  
      enrapture garments  
      across most private thought  
      Bed of Spring moist grass, clean before the sun,  
      enslaved with  
      control. warm wind scenting the air, sun light sparkle  
      tears  
      in eyes so deep and clear  
         
      Alone again I trod in pass memory of mirrors, and  
      pinder why for  
      number eight was not.  
      Oh, Anna Why Didn't You Appear  
         
      This is at least the second sketch that BTK sent. E8
      Some errors in this poem are consistant with previous E8
      BTK letters  
         
 
         
June 16, KAKE-tv received an   See June 15 E1
1979 identical letter to the one      
  that arrived at Mrs.      
  Williams home on the      
  previous day.      
         
 
         
Early '88 Widow of Phillip Fager unknown The letter writer claimed to be BTK, said he was not E1
  receives letter claiming to   the murderer of her husband, and professed admiration  
  be from BTK.   for his killer.  
         
 
         
Mailed Wichita Eagle receives a Yes It contained a single sheet of paper with a photocopy of K2
3/17/04 letter with a return address   Vicky Wegerle's drivers license, and three photos of 15
Rec. of "Bill Thomas Killman,   her body, in a different pose in each picture. Her 16
3/19/04 1684 S. Oldmanor,   clothing was also arranged differently in each picture. 17
  Wichita"   DNA & fingerprint evidence were gathered from this 18
      communication. 19
        E12
         
 
         
Apr. 7 KSN-tv receives an unknown Contains a photograph of an unidentified baby  
2004 envelope addressed by      
  hand      
         
 
         
May 5, KAKE-tv receives an Yes 3 pieces of paper are enclosed. The first is headed with E15
2004 envelope with a return   "Chapter 8" and contains a list of what appear to be  
  address of "Thomas B.   chapters:  
  King, 408 Clayton St.,   Chapter 8  
  Wichita"      
      1. A SERIAL KILLER ______  
      2. DAWN  
      3. FETISH  
      4. FANTASY WORLD  
      5. THE SEARCH BEGINS  
      6. BTK HAUNTS  
      7. PJ's  
      8. MO-ID RUSE  
      9. KITS  
      10. TREASURED MEMORIES  
      11. FINAL CURTAIN CALL  
      12. DUSK  
      13. WILL THERE MORE  
         
      The second page contains a word-find type of puzzle  
      divided into 3 grids.  
      The third page contains photocopies of 2 ID's and a  
      badge.  
         
 
         
June, '04 Police receive a letter Yes This letter has not been released to the public. It is E15
      reported to contain details regarding the Otero murders.  
         
 
         
July 17 Letter/package is found Yes Some reports have stated that "the letter left at the library E15
2004 at the main branch of the   in June has been confirmed by FBI as being from BTK"  
  Wichita Public Library   No reports have been released as to what was contained  
      in this communication. Police have since said that they do  
      believe this is from BTK, per a KAKE-tv broadcast on  
      Oct. 26, 2004  
         
 
         
Sep. 8 Four envelopes postmarked doubtful The envelopes were blue, with blue flowers addressed in E14
2004 from Industry, Ca. are   script to Lt. Ken Landwehr, the lead BTK investigator;  
  received at WSU. None   Amy Geiszler-Jones, communications co-ordinator at  
  contained street   WSU; the "BTK Strangler Editor" at the Eagle; and the  
  addresses, all contained   "BTK Strangler Reporter" at KAKE-tv.  
  the zip code for WSU   The envelopes contained a photocopy of an AP story that  
      ran Aug. 21 in the L.A. Times, with a name and phone  
      number on the backs. The person at the phone number  
      denied any knowledge of the case.  
         
 
         
Oct 22, Manilla envelope found in a Not A UPS driver was taking packages out of the box that 30
2004 UPS drop box confirmed. night when he noticed the envelope. He opened it and K6
    Police discovered pictures and names. Police questioned E16
    have employees at the office park about whether they had seen  
    stated a man in his 50's or 60's with gray hair. The location of  
    that they the drop box is 250 N. Kansas. The letter was submitted  
    believe it to the FBI for authentication on Monday 10/25. A young  
    to be man was interviewed by the police for information on a man  
    genuine. he saw acting suspiciously the next morning. That man  
      was located and cleared by police.  
         
.............. .......................................... ................ .  
         
Nov. 30, Police release a news N/A Information released in the briefing includes the following:  
2004 brief with information      
  provided by the killer.   Since March 2004, BTK has sent numerous  
  The briefing in its entirety   communications to the media and the police. In these  
  can be read here in .pdf   letters, he has provided certain background information  
  format.   about himself, which he claims is accurate. Based upon a  
      review of that information, the following facts about BTK  
      are being made available to the public in the hopes of  
      identifying BTK:  
         
      * He claims he was born in 1939, which would make  
      his current age 64 or 65.  
      * His father died in World War II, and his mother raised  
      him.  
      * His mother was forced to work, so his grandparents  
      cared for him.  
      * His mother worked during the day near the railroad.  
      * He had a cousin named Susan, who moved to Missouri.  
      * His family moved a lot, but always lived near a railroad.  
      * His grandfather played the fiddle and died of a lung  
      disease.  
      * His mother started dating a railroad detective when BTK  
      was around 11 years old. This relationship would have  
      occurred during the years 1950-1955.  
      * In the early 1950s he built and operated a ham radio.  
      * He has participated in outdoor hobbies including hunting,  
      fishing and camping.  
      * As a youth he attended church and Sunday school.  
      * He had a female, Hispanic acquaintance named Petra,  
      who had a younger sister named Tina.  
      * Around 1960, he went to tech military school. He then  
      joined the military for active duty and was discharged  
      in 1966.  
      * He has a basic knowledge of photography and the ability  
      to develop and print pictures.  
      * In 1966 he moved back in with his mother who had  
      re-married and was renting out part of her house.  
      * His first job was as an electro-mechanic, requiring  
      some travel.  
      * After attending more tech school, he worked repairing  
      copiers and business equipment; this sometimes required  
      travel and he was away from home for extended periods.  
      * He admits to soliciting prostitutes.  
      * He has a lifetime fascination with railroads and trains.  
         
      Based upon the investigation to date, police believe  
      that BTK:  
      * Frequented the WSU campus in the early 1970s.  
      * Was acquainted with PJ Wyatt, who taught a folklore  
      class at WSU during the 1970s.  
      * Has written or still writes poetry. An example of this is  
      the "Oh Anna, Why Didn’t You Appear" poem and the "Oh!  
      Death to Nancy" poem that were released in earlier media  
      advisories.  
      * Utilized fake identification to gain access to people’s  
      homes or to conduct surveillance.  
         
      Based upon the information contained in the letter, police  
      are again asking for help from the public. Police want to  
      talk to any citizen who currently knows, or recalls anyone  
      having a similar background to the one described above.  
         
      One day after this information was released to the public,  
      Police and KBI agents were observed at a home in  
      Wichita. An arrest was made, the media and public  
      speculated that the man arrested on housing code  
      violations and assigned a bond that rose to $40,000  
      throughout the day could be BTK, and on Friday, Dec. 3,  
      it was announced by police that the man had not been  
      arrested in connection with the BTK case, and had been  
      cleared by DNA.  
         
         
         
Dec. 14 Bag found in Murdock Park unknown Package found in Murdock Park containing a brown item  
2004     and Nancy Fox's drivers license inside a plastic bag in a  
      large white trashbag held closed with 2 red rubber bands.  
      Also included was the chapter list from May, but missing  
      chapters 1, 2, & 8. The person who found it called KAKE tv,  
      who in turn called the WPD. Also, the chapter list now  
      reads "WILL THERE BE MORE" for Chapter 13.  
         
         
         
Jan. 25, KAKE receives a postcard Not The postcard has a return address of "S. Killett, 803 N.  
2005   confirmed. Edgemoor, Wichita, KS 67208" (The address of the  
    Police IOtero family, his first known victims). It contained  
    have directions to package # 8, and asked whether package  
    stated #7 had been found and gave some details about it. KAKE  
    that they followed the directions to # 8 and discovered a Post  
    believe it Toasties cereal box held in place with a brick, and with  
    to be red crepe paper streamers sticking out of the top, leaning  
    genuine. against a road sign denoting a left curve. After shooting  
      video at the location, KAKE then contacted law  
      enforcement with details.  
         
      Per screen capture from KAKE-tv:  
      Communication # : 8  
      Week of 1 - 17-2005  
      Where: (Info blacked out by KAKE)  
      Contents : Post Toasties Box, (Info blacked out by KAKE -  
      approximately 2 lines)  
      Let me know some how if you or Wichita PD received this.  
      Also let me know if you or PD received # 7 at (Info blacked  
      (out by KAKE) 1-8-05. Thanks.  
         
      At least one resident in the area claims to have seen the  
      box leaning against the post at 71st & Seneca 4 days  
      before KAKE received the postcard  
         
      Also of note, the postcard was preprinted with a stamp  
      commemorating Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico,  
      possibly a veiled reference to surviving members of the  
      Otero family who moved to New Mexico after the murders,  
      or specifically to Charlie Otero, who was recently released  
      from prison in that state, and who has stated publically  
      that he wants a chance to face the man who murdered 4  
      members of his family.  
         
         
         
Jan. 26, Package # 7 is located Not On Thursday, Jan. 27, Lt. Ken Landwehr announced that  
2005   c the unknown package had been found Wednesday night.  
    Police He said investigators do believe both packages are from  
    have BTK. Lt. Landwehr did not disclose what was inside the  
    stated packages or exactly where the second one was found.  
    that they    
    believe it IA local resident noticed a faded Post Toasties box with E17
    to be yellow ribbon like material at the base of a "No Dumping"  
    genuine. sign on N. Seneca St. just south of, and visible from 101st  
      St. on Saturday, January 22.  
         
         
         
Feb. 3, Postcard received by KAKE Not Investigators arrived within minutes to retrieve the post-  
2005 postmarked 2/2/05 confirmed. card and send it to the FBI. The return address read  
      "Happ Kakemann" with KAKE-tv's address. The layout  
      similar to that of the card received on 1/25, with the    
      contents listed as "Post card message". The message  
      read: "Thank you for your quick response on #7 and 8.  
      Thank to the news team for their efforts. Sorry about  
      Susan's and Jeff's colds." (A reference to two news-  
      casters who had mentioned on air the previous week    
      that they had colds.)  
      The postcard also stated Business Issues: Tell WPD  
      then gives a message for the police. Police have asked  
      KAKE not to reveal that message.  

 

1 Mob Magazine
2 Sexual Homicide Exchange
3 SERIAL KILLER COMMUNIQUÉS: HELPFUL OR HURTFUL
  (and Why the above article should not be used as a resource on its own)
4 Young Woman Found Slain
5 No Suspect Identified
6 BTK Tape
7 Police Seek Caller in Strangling
8 Police Ask Help in Murder
9 Wichita Woman Found Strangled
10 Police Await Oregon Report
11 Girl 20 Fatally Stabbed
12 Coleman Link
13 Chief Denies Coleman Link
14 Oteros/"Monster" Drives Killer
15 Newspaper Gets Letter Police Link to Serial Killings in 1970s
16 In Wichita, BTK Reurfaces After 25 Years
17 "Deborah Norville Tonight", March 25, 2004
18 Kan. serial killer resurfaces two decades later
19 KWCH - Wichita Eagle gives details about BTK letter
20 Woman says she was visited by BTK
21 '70s killer sends chill into Wichita once more
22 KSN/MSNBC - BTK killer back in the news
23 KWCH - Charlie Otero interview transcript
24 Woman Slain in South Wichita
25 Crime Library - BTK
26 Evaluating a psychological profile of a serial killer
27 BTK Serial Killer Returns
28 John Douglas - Mindhunter: BTK Bulletin Board
29 BTK Timeline
30 New BTK Communication?
31 Murder Clues Sparse - Key Angle Fades
32 Suspect in Slayings Cleared
   
   
C1 Charlie Otero answers message boards 1
C2 Charlie Otero answers message boards 2
C3 Charlie Otero answers message boards 3
   
   
E1 Wichita Eagle: Chronicle of a killer
E2 Wichita Eagle: Four in Wichita family found slain at home
E3 Wichita Eagle: Victims' children return home; clues sought
E4 Wichita Eagle: Police baffled on motive in mass killing
E5 Wichita Eagle: City's 'BTK Strangler' claims he's killed 7
E6 Wichita Eagle: Was girl 7th victim? Police seek connection
E7 Wichita Eagle: Nancy Fox: Found slain Dec. 9, 1977
E8 Wichita Eagle: BTK is back; intended victim gets poem
E9 Wichita Eagle: Tape of BTK call aired; police are hoping for ID
E10 Wichita Eagle: BTK'S KNOWN CRIMES
E11 Wichita Eagle: Families reminded of loss BTK caused
E12 Wichita Eagle: Letter's address a vacant unit
E13 Wichita Eagle: Do you know BTK?
E14 Letters on BTK put WSU on alert
E15 BTK author: Parcel may be killer's
E16 New letter might be from BTK, police say
E17 More BTK victims?
   
   
K1 KAKE-tv: BTK Survivor Returns To Wichita - Kevin Bright
K2 KAKE-tv: New BTK Details
K3 KAKE-tv: BTK Profile
K4 KAKE-tv: Kevin Bright Interview
K5 KAKE-tv BTK Back
K6 Another BTK Letter
K7 BTK: The Untold Clues
K8 BTK Back: A Message To KAKE

 

 
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