Dennis Rader is an American serial killer who murdered at least ten people in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991. He is better known as the “BTK” killer.
Dennis Rader Biography
| Full Name | Dennis Lynn Rader |
| Nickname | Dennis Rader BTK BTK Killer BTK Strangler |
| Profession | Serial killer |
| Date of Birth | 9 March 1945 |
| Age | 80 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Pittsburg, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Pittsburg, Kansas, USA |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Hobbies | Killing, |
Education Qualification
| School | Wichita Heights High School |
| College | Kansas Wesleyan University Wichita State University |
| Education Qualification | College dropped after one year Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. |
Dennis Rader Age
Dennis Rader was born on 9 March 1945, in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. He is 80 years old, as of 2025, and his zodiac sign is Pisces.
Dennis Rader Wife
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Not known |
| Spouse/Wife | Paula Dietz |
| Children | Two – Kerri and Brian |
Dennis Rader Family
| Father’s Name | William Elvin Rader |
| Mother’s Name | Dorothea Mae Rader |
| Brother’s Name | Not know |
| Sister’s Name | Not known |
Career
| Debut | Military career – 1966 to 1972 Rank – Staff Sergeant Branch – U.S. Air Force |
| Span of crimes | January 15, 1974 to January 19, 1991 |
| Motive of Crimes | Sexual sadism |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Victims | 10 confirmed (more possible) |
| Conviction | 10 – first degree serial murder |
| Criminal penalty | With the possibility of parole after 175 years |
| Imprisoned at | El Dorado Correctional Facility |
Dennis Rader Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 180 cm In meters – 1.80 m In feet & inches – 5’11” |
| Weight (approx) (in 2014) | In kilograms – 86.5 kg In pounds – 190 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
Some Lesser Facts About Dennis Rader
- Dennis Rader was born and raised in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Dorothea Mae Rader and William Elvin Rader.
- His parents were members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, where he was baptized.
- His mother was a bookkeeper, and his father was a worker at Kansas Gas Service and a former U.S. Marine.
- His father was described as strict and God-fearing but not abusive.
- Growing up, he had an interest in novels, comic books, fishing, and Cub Scouting.
- He exhibited zoosadism by torturing, killing, and handling small animals.
- From a young age, he harbored sadistic sexual fantasies about torturing “trapped and helpless” women.
- He often spies on female neighbors while dressed in women’s clothing, including women’s underwear that he had stolen.
- As a student, Rader did not participate in any sports or join any clubs.
- After graduating in 1963, Rader attended Kansas Wesleyan University, where he received only mediocre grades and dropped out after one year.
- After dropping out of college, he joined the United States Air Force in June 1966.
- He received an honorable discharge on August 12, 1970, at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
- He was married to Paula Dietz, a secretary for the American Legion, in a ceremony held at Christ Lutheran Church.
- On July 26, 2005, after Rader’s arrest, Dietz was granted an emergency divorce, waiving the normal sixty-day waiting period.
- All of the crimes were committed while Rader was married, although neither Dietz nor her children suspected anything was amiss.
FAQ:
How old is Dennis Rader?
As of 2025, Dennis Rader is 80 years old.
Who was Dennis Rader’s wife?
From 1971 to 2005, Dennis Rader was married to Paula Dietz.