Thursday, June 17, 2004

Police receive another letter laying out the first BTK killing scene, the Otero murders. Could these letters help catch BTK now that the notorious serial killer is back?

Many Wichitans say they were just starting to feel safe again, but tonight, anxiety over BTK once again grips Wichita, as the FBI confirms that the author of a letter sent to KAKE is BTK.

Police renew their plea for help from the public, from anyone who might have information concerning BTK, specifically, anyone who was approached at home between 1974 and 1986 by a man presenting himself as a school or utility company employee.

A serial killer remains at large, believed to be somewhere in the city and most likely watching the media coverage, perhaps feeling empowered, since the communication from BTK, so far, has been solely on his terms.

“We truly feel that he’s trying to communicate with us,” says Lt. Ken Landwehr, with the Wichita police department.

Police say the FBI has officially confirmed that a letter sent to KAKE-TV is authentic, as is a letter sent to the Wichita Eagle in March and one sent directly to the police within the last few weeks with information about the Otero murders.

As experts try to understand what drives BTK, the killer toys with investigators, perhaps suggesting they got it wrong 30 years ago when he killed four members of the Otero family.

“We thought all along that the young girl was probably the primary target, perhaps we were wrong on that,” says former Wichita police chief Richard Lamunyon. “But, maybe he’s just trying to clear up some mystery to set us straight.”

That day, BTK got in with no trouble. Either the door was not locked or someone let him in. With two young children at home, he was in control, despite Mrs. Otero’s best efforts.

It’s known that Mrs. Otero did try to fight and was struck, because she had a broken cheekbone. It’s unclear if the little brother was thought to have been at school with the father, but both happened to be home when the murders happened.

It’s those kinds of things that someone may already know, someone in the mental health profession.

“It is possible that this person has seen a licensed mental health professional and has revealed that he did these offenses,” says psychologist Howard Brodsky. “Because of the confidentiality rules, the therapist would not be able to say anything.”

Brodsky says it’s the main topic of discussion and worry among his colleagues. They can only hope BTK can be satisfied with his sense of control, without having to kill again.

Lamunyon also talked about the “torture” part of BTK’s modus-operendi. It’s very graphic, and involved the killer getting sexual gratification as his victims died. Once the person was dead, BTK then left semen near each victim’s body.