Netflix is adding another chilling true-crime story to its lineup with the upcoming documentary My Father, the BTK Killer. This series dives into the life of Dennis Lynn Rader, better known as the BTK Killer, and the journey of his daughter, Kerri Rawson, who had to come to terms with the horrifying truth about her father.
The trailer has already been released, offering glimpses of the arrest and moments from Rawson’s story, highlighting the struggle of a daughter dealing with the dark legacy of her father. Fans of true crime will be able to watch the documentary starting October 10, exclusively on Netflix.
The documentary is directed by Skye Borgman, known for her work on Unknown Number: The High School Catfish and American Murder: The Family Next Door. Borgman is expected to deliver a fact-driven and deeply emotional retelling of this case, giving viewers a close look at the events leading up to Rader’s arrest and the impact on those around him.
For those planning to watch, My Father, the BTK Killer will be available only on Netflix.
Dennis Lynn Rader, born March 9, 1945, became known as the BTK Killer, or the BTK Strangler, after committing a series of murders in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991. Rader primarily targeted women, often attacking them in their homes. He would bind his victims, sometimes using items from their own homes, and either suffocate them with a plastic bag or manually strangle them. He also sent letters to the police and media, taunting them and describing his crimes, signing them as BTK, which stands for bind, torture, kill.
Rader sometimes took keepsakes from his victims, including personal items and underwear. After 1979, he went silent for several years, making the case one of the most infamous cold cases in American history. Between 1985 and 1991, he committed additional murders that were later confirmed to be his through DNA evidence.
In 2004, after a thirteen-year break, Rader began sending letters again, eventually leading law enforcement to his identification and arrest in February 2005. He pled guilty and was sentenced to ten consecutive life sentences. He is now serving time at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.
My Father, the BTK Killer promises to be a gripping and emotional true-crime documentary, showing both the chilling actions of Rader and the difficult journey of his daughter. It is set to premiere on Netflix on October 10.
What do you think about watching a story like this from the perspective of a victim’s family member? Share your thoughts in the comments.