The daughter of serial killer Dennis Rader believes the four-time Idaho murder suspect may have had contact with her father after the “close” relationship with the criminology professor was revealed.
Kerri Rawson, daughter of Rader – better known as the BTK killer – said it was “possible” there were letters between her father and Bryan Kohberger.
The 28-year-old was arrested on Friday and charged with four counts of murder and one burglary.
It comes after a manhunt spanning over a month into the killer behind the brutal deaths of Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21, in Moscow, Idaho.
Kerri Rawson, daughter of Rader – better known as the BTK killer – said it was “possible” there were letters between her father and Bryan Kohberger
Bryan Kohberger may have had contact with serial killer BTK after his “close” relationship with a criminology professor was revealed
Ph.D. student Kohberger had previously studied under a Pennsylvania professor known for her expertise in serial killers, and was studying criminology at Washington State University at the time of the murders — just minutes from the crime scene.
Rawson told NewsNation she was concerned that Kohberger may have had contact with her father after she found out he was married to Dr. Katherine Ramsland had been taught.
Ramsland has declined to comment on the arrest but has spent decades researching serial killers and mass murderers — writing both The Mind of a Murderer and How to Catch a Killer.
She is best known for developing a close relationship with serial killer Dennis Rader – known as BTK.
Rawson said, “My first reaction was my stomach was upset and I literally got physically sick. I’ve researched the Idaho case very deeply and was shocked to see that there was a connection to Ramsland and my father.
“There may be a connection to my father, but we’ll have to wait and see. Kohberger could have communicated with my father.
Rawson, pictured with her father, said she was “shocked” to see how far Kohberger had come in the field of criminology
She added that after seeing the connection between Kohberger and Dr. Katherine Ramsland thought there might be a connection between BTK and the suspected quadruple killer
Authorities raided his office on the University of Washington’s Pullman campus, according to
“It’s very common for criminal justice students and the true crime community in general, or fans, to email and occasionally make phone calls to my father.
“Knowing Ramsland’s personal connection to my father, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kohberger at least tried to write to him.
“If he had contacted my father, there would be letters in his house and in my father’s prison cell. It’s hard being this guy’s kid and living with it.
“And then you see someone else doing that and you wonder if your father influenced that? Has my father spoken to him?
“Did he study my father outside of academia? I don’t know if I’ll ever get an answer to that.”
Rawson also said she believes the Kohberger family was “going through hell” following his arrest, noting that at this time there is “no reason to believe they knew.”
Investigators have yet to pinpoint a motive for the murders of the four students, but those who knew Kohberger say he had a deep interest in criminal psychology
Dennis Rader (left) and Joseph James DeAngelo (right) — known as the Golden State Killer — both had degrees in criminology.
The crime happened six weeks ago, 2,500 miles from where Kohberger was arrested. His father flew to meet his son in Washington and drove him back to their home in Pennsylvania
She added that she was “shocked” by how far Kohberger made it in the field of criminology, before comparing him to other great serial killers — including her father.
Dennis Rader (BTK) and Joseph James DeAngelo – known as the Golden State Killer – both had degrees in criminology.
Rason added: “I’m shocked at how far he’s made it into the field of criminology – but it’s happened before.
“My father has a degree in criminology, the Golden State Killer has one. Bundy studied criminal law, I think, so it’s happening.
“I mean, you can be an expert on psychopaths and they’ll still trick you.”
Investigators have yet to pinpoint a motive for the murders of the four students, but those who knew Kohberger say he had a deep interest in criminal psychology.
Friends from high school claim that he struggled with heroin addiction in his younger years but apparently got over it.
Idaho Police said the four University of Idaho students were murdered in their sleep between 3 and 4 a.m. Pictured: victims Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and 20-year-old Ethan Chapin
The suspect attended college in nearby Washington state, where he majored in criminology
Forensic teams and police are working at Kohberger’s home near Washington State University in Pullman, Washington
Kohberger earned a psychology degree from Community College in 2018 before studying psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University.
A student who was in Kohberger’s criminology class said he “frequently interrupted” Ramsland — “as if he knew more about the subject than she did,” according to Law and Crime.
Federal and state investigators are now combing through his background, financial records, and electronic communications as they work to identify a motive and build the case.
Investigators are also interviewing people who knew Kohberger, including from Washington State University.
Another former professor of his at Washington State University told that she was “shocked” by his arrest.
Kohberger is said to have followed the students in the weeks leading up to the murders. Pictured is the home where the murders took place, just over 8 miles from where he worked as a graduate student and teaching assistant
Police were on the hunt for Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra, which officers began chasing around Christmas time when the suspect was driving across the country
In an exclusive interview, DeSales University professor Michelle Bolger said she was “absolutely shocked” after hearing what her former student was accused of.
“He’s a brilliant student,” she told exclusively from her home in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.
“I am shocked by what he is accused of. I don’t believe it, but I understand it,’ she said.
Kohberger has been charged with four counts of murder and one federal burglary – with Moscow Police Chief James Fry saying he broke into the dormitory with “murder intent”.
Police seized a white Hyundai Elantra, the same model Moscow police were looking for after it was discovered near the crime scene outside Kohberger’s home.
Kohberger was taken into custody in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, a small town in the heart of the Poconos Mountains more than 2,000 miles from where the gruesome killings took place
Kaylee and Madison were found on the top floor of the house in Moscow, Idaho. College lovers Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were found in a second-floor bedroom, while survivors Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke were sleeping on the first floor
He had been home for the festive season after his father flew 2,000 miles from Pennsylvania to Idaho to ride with his son.
It’s unclear if Kohberger’s father, who filed for bankruptcy in 2010, or the rest of his family knew about the murders.
Police officials confirmed his DNA was found at the crime scene, although he has no criminal record, which would put his DNA on file.
Investigators were able to match genetic evidence to a suspect’s family member using genealogy databases, CNN reported, citing a source.
Kohberger may face the death penalty in the state where his family can’t afford a lawyer to fight.
More than six weeks after the murders, investigators are still trying to find the murder weapon, which they believe was a large knife.
Kohberger’s family responded to the charges on Sunday and urged people not to pass judgment.
Moscow police chief James Fry did not want to rule out that the killer had an accomplice.
Details of the killings and the motives behind them have yet to be released, with law enforcement saying a sealed affidavit of arrest will be released once Kohberger is extradited to Idaho.
Friday’s arrest marks the first major break in the case — Kohberger asks if “someone else was arrested” when he was arrested. An extradition hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
He is currently being held in the Monroe County Jail in Pennsylvania pending a hearing on Jan. 3.