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True Crime Book Club - Past Titles: June 2024

Trigger Warning! These pages contain information, images, and videos that may be inappropriate or triggering for some viewers.

About the Author: Kerri Rawson

  1. Background:

    • Kerri Rawson was born in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States.
    • She grew up in a seemingly ordinary family, unaware of her father's dark secret.
  2. Family Life:

    • Kerri is the daughter of Dennis Rader and Paula Dietz Rader. She had a brother, Brian Rader.
    • Her family life took a drastic turn when her father was revealed to be the BTK Killer.
  3. Discovery of Father's Identity:

    • In 2004, Kerri Rawson's life was shattered when her father was arrested for the BTK murders.
    • The revelation about her father's true identity and the nature of his crimes had a profound impact on her and her family.
  4. Memoir:

    • Kerri Rawson authored the memoir "A Serial Killer's Daughter," which was published in 2019.
    • The memoir explores her journey of grappling with the truth about her father, the emotional turmoil she faced, and her efforts to rebuild her life.
  5. Personal Struggles and Resilience:

    • Kerri's memoir delves into the psychological and emotional challenges she faced as she coped with the aftermath of her father's crimes.
    • She discusses themes of faith, love, forgiveness, and the process of overcoming the trauma associated with being the daughter of a serial killer.
  6. Advocacy:

    • Kerri Rawson has used her platform to raise awareness about the impact of crimes on the families of perpetrators.
    • She has spoken about the stigma and challenges faced by individuals with family members involved in heinous crimes.

Kerri Rawson on Writing the Book

Fact vs Fiction: Dennis Rader (The BTK Killer)

Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) Killer, was an American serial killer who committed a series of gruesome murders between 1974 and 1991 in Kansas. Here is a brief biography of Dennis Rader:

TV & Movies

Mindhunter

Catching a criminal often requires the authorities to get inside the villain's mind to figure out how he thinks. That's the job of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench. They attempt to understand and catch serial killers by studying their damaged psyches. Along the way, the agents pioneer the development of modern serial-killer profiling. The crime drama has a strong pedigree behind the camera, with Oscar-nominated director David Fincher and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron among the show's executive producers.

The Hunt for the BTK Killer

For 31 years, the serial killer known as BTK raised terror in the small town of Wichita, Kansas. Starting in 1974 and ending in 1991, BTK killed 10 people and resurfaced in 2005, in which the BTK killer was captured. This is the story of how police found, captured, and convicted the vicious killer named Dennis Rader.

BTK: Confession of a Serial Killer

The horrific crimes and psyche of notorious serial killer Dennis Rader. This documentary provides unprecedented access into the mind of Rader, who is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences in El Dorado Correctional Facility. Dr. Katherine Ramsland shares the intimate details of Rader's past and his gruesome murders while providing insight to arm criminologists and law enforcement on how to better identify and potentially deter extreme violent offenders in the future. The author and renowned professor of forensic psychology leads the examination Rader's transformation from an American boy to an American monster who wreaked havoc in Wichita, Kan., and went uncaptured for 30 years.

Synopsis

What is it like to learn that your ordinary, loving father is a serial killer

In 2005, Kerri Rawson opened the door of her apartment to greet an FBI agent who shared the shocking news that her father had been arrested for murdering ten people, including two children.

That's also when she first learned that her father was the notorious serial killer known as BTK, a name he'd given himself that described the horrific way he committed his crimes: bind, torture, kill. As news of his capture spread, the city of Wichita celebrated the end of a thirty-one-year nightmare. For Kerri Rawson, another was just beginning.

In the weeks and years that followed, Kerri was plunged into a black hole of horror and disbelief. The same man who had been a loving father, a devoted husband, church president, Boy Scout leader, and a public servant had been using their family as a cover for his heinous crimes since before she was born. Everything she had believed about her life had been a lie.

Written with candor and extraordinary courage, A Serial Killer's Daughter is an unflinching exploration of life with one of America's most infamous killers and an astonishing tale of personal and spiritual transformation.

Discussion Questions

  1. Personal Reflection:

    • How did Kerri Rawson's perspective and emotions change throughout the memoir? What moments or realizations had the most significant impact on her?
    • In what ways did you find yourself empathizing with Kerri Rawson's journey, and were there any aspects of her experience that you found particularly relatable or surprising?
  2. Family Dynamics:

    • Explore the impact of Dennis Rader's crimes on his family. How did the revelation affect the relationships between family members, and how did they cope with the aftermath?
    • Discuss the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by family members of individuals who commit heinous crimes. How responsible do you think family members should be held for the actions of their relatives?
  3. Survivor's Guilt and Stigma:

    • Kerri Rawson discusses her feelings of guilt and shame associated with being the daughter of a serial killer. How did these emotions manifest, and how did she cope with them?
    • Consider the societal stigma attached to the family members of criminals. How can society better support individuals like Kerri Rawson who find themselves connected to someone with a criminal past?
  4. Justice and Closure:

    • How did the legal proceedings against Dennis Rader impact Kerri Rawson and her family? Did the legal system provide any sense of closure or justice for them?
    • Explore the concept of justice in cases involving serial killers. Do you believe that the legal system adequately addresses the needs of the victims' families?
  5. Psychological Impact:

    • Discuss the psychological toll of learning that a loved one is a serial killer. How did Kerri Rawson and her family grapple with the realization, and what kind of long-term effects might such a revelation have on an individual's mental health?
  6. Media and Public Perception:

    • How did the media coverage of Dennis Rader's crimes affect Kerri Rawson and her family? Discuss the role of media in shaping public perception and the potential consequences for the families of criminals.
    • Consider the ethical implications of media coverage in cases involving heinous crimes. How can the media strike a balance between informing the public and respecting the privacy of the individuals connected to the perpetrator?
  7. Forgiveness and Healing:

    • Explore the theme of forgiveness in the memoir. How does Kerri Rawson grapple with the idea of forgiving her father, and what role does forgiveness play in her healing process?
    • Discuss the concept of forgiveness in cases of extreme trauma and betrayal. Do you believe forgiveness is necessary for personal healing, or are there situations where it may not be appropriate or possible?

"A Serial Killer's Daughter" by Kerri Rawson

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