Kerri Rawson discovered the shocking truth about her father, Dennis Rader, when she was in her mid-twenties. Rader, whom she thought was an ordinary dad, turned out to be the notorious ‘BTK’ (bind, torture, kill) murderer who had terrorized Kansas for over 17 years, killing at least 10 people, including children.
Unbeknownst to Kerri, her father kept chilling souvenirs from his crimes in their family home, such as underwear stolen from his victims. The revelation of her father’s true identity came in 2005 when he was finally arrested by the police, leading to Kerri’s world being turned upside down.
In her book, ‘A Serial Killer’s Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming,’ Kerri recounts her journey of grappling with the horrific truth about her father’s heinous acts. She delved into details of the unsolved murders, reflecting on items her father possessed that may have been connected to the killings.
Rader, now 80, is currently serving multiple life sentences in a Kansas prison. Despite the devastation he caused, Kerri has found it in herself to forgive her father, expressing love for the man she once knew amidst the darkness of his crimes.
Following his arrest, Rader collaborated with forensic psychology professor Katherine Ramsland to publish a book detailing his crimes. However, he is prohibited from profiting from his atrocities or their coverage, as part of a settlement with the victims’ families who sued him.
Despite the unimaginable pain he inflicted, Kerri’s journey of forgiveness and grappling with her father’s monstrous actions stands as a testament to resilience and the power of love amidst darkness.