B.T.K. Strangler versus Wichita Police Department: The significance of serial murder media relations

The B.T.K. Strangler confounded residents of Wichita, Kansas, as he killed and communicated from 1974 until 2005. This study examines the media relations of the serial murderer and the Wichita Police Department (W.P.D.). Also considered is the attempt of W.P.D. to use subliminal advertising to reach the killer, by a Wichita TV station working with the police. The serial murderer performed basic media relations rather effectively. But W.P.D. did not. Subliminal persuasion was unsuccessful in influencing B.T.K. to surrender.