Hidden Thoughtprints: BTK Warns on Verge of Killing Again
A letter from the infamous BTK killer offers a good example of reading figuratively between the lines for thoughtprints.
One of his last communications (Jan. 25, 2005) had the return address of:
S. Killet
803 Edgemoor
Not only do we see his obvious sadistic pun, “S. Killet” for “skillet,” but combining the messages “Killet” and “Edgemoor” suggested that BTK was on the edge of more killing.
The wide gap on the second line between 803 and Edgemoor with Edgemoor moved far to right again suggested that he was near the edge. The fact that “803 Edgemoor” was also the address of his first murder offered the same idea.
“Skillet” itself suggested the idea of warming up.
All of the messages in this communication strongly suggested BTK was unconsciously warning police he was preparing for another kill.
Other messages of warning from BTK
Similar unconscious messages suggested the same warning.
A Feb. 3, 2005 postcard to KAKE-TV: BTK continues his “dialogue” with the station. BTK writes, “Thanks for your quick response.” This is another suggestion that authorities needed to respond quickly to stop him.
In a Feb. 14, 2005 communique BTK included a correction to his previously sent “BTK Story.”
In his original version he had entitled Chapter 13 “WILL THERE MORE” which contained an obvious slip omitting the “be.” His new version “WILL THERE BE MORE” now suggested the strong message “THERE BE MORE” or “There Will Be More.”
BTK confirms the thoughtprints
Evidence following his capture confirmed that he was preparing for another murder. And BTK confirmed this in his open confession in July 2005. He admitted that he had begun stalking his next victom shortly before being apprehended.
Additional Decoding: BTK Suggested Other Victims and Where
For years many questioned if BTK had other victims. Looking back his thoughtprints had answered the question. In his May 5, 2004 communique, “BTK Story,” his slip in Chapter 13. “WILL THERE MORE” where he left out “be” suggested that he was unconsciously shouting out “THERE MORE”—that there indeed were more killings that had gone undetected.
As BTK shows us slips can be enormously revealing and reflect distinct ways the unconscious mind overpowers the conscious mind to communicate the truth.
Likewise in another communique (Oct., 2004) containing alleged self-revelations BTK noted that he: worked out of town at times; was gone for long periods; and traveled a lot. He was suggesting again work he had done that hadn’t been observed.
Combining this message with his Postcard of Jan. 25, 2005 to KAKE-TV directing them to a “display” he had left of a cereal box tied to a post outside of Wichita on the way to Park City suggested “Think Park City.” This was the precisely where only a short distance from Wichita two unsolved murders of older women occurred, one of whom was BTK’s neighbor. Following his capture he confessed to both murders. Looking back we can see just how specific the unconscious mind can be.
Overlooking BTK’s unconscious motivation
BTK may have been conscious of some of his concealed warnings such as ’skillet’ and using the address of his first victims. But most of his messages were unconscious.
Dr. Hodges has developed a major profile on BTK that will be the subject of an upcoming book. Following BTK’s arrest several profilers insisted BTK did not want to get caught. Such comments reflect the significant need for understanding the unconscious mind—including unconscious motivation and communication.
Of course BTK consciously did not want to be caught but thoughtprint decoding of his many communications reveals he had entirely different motivations unconsciously. His own thoughtprints will show how BTK even predicted his capture, and unconsciously set himself up to be caught from the moment he started communicating again in March of 2004.
Certainly it seems obvious that his own continued communications and carelessness brought him down. His two most egregious errors leading to his capture—getting caught on video tape repeatedly driving around Home Depot, and sending a CD with his computer thumbprint on it—reflected a dramatic change from his previous obsessively detailed self-protective ways. Previously overlooked thoughtprints will show just how strongly he was confessing: unconsciously.
