Long-awaited arrest
The week's news at a glance.
Wichita
Kansas police this week charged a churchgoing family man with the BTK killings, a series of grisly murders that terrorized Wichita in the 1970s. The suspect, a dogcatcher named Dennis Rader, 59, reportedly confessed to six killings. At the time of the murder spree, the killer taunted investigators with poems and boastful letters. In one, he said there was “no help, no cure” for his sadistic urges. He had been silent for years, then suddenly started sending police fresh clues as newspapers publicized the 30th anniversary of his first murder. “Bottom line: BTK is arrested,” said Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams. “Doggone it, we did it.” The BTK murderer’s nickname stemmed from his method: bind, torture, kill.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The 50-year battle for Western Sahara
The Explainer UK is latest country to back Moroccan plan to end decades-long dispute with Algerian-backed Polisario Front
-
What It Feels Like for a Girl: a 'fearless and compelling' coming-of-age drama
The Week Recommends Ellis Howard dazzles in this 'sharply written' adaptation of Paris Lees' memoir
-
Sports betting is causing athletes to be abused and harassed online
Under the radar Baseball players, tennis stars and others have raised the alarm