How is the BTK Killer Connected to ‘Mindhunter’?

If some of the insane stories in Mindhunter Season 2 have left you scrambling for your laptop to Google “Is this real?” don’t worry. We’re right there with you, and we have answers. From whatever happened to the BTK Killer and Kevin Bright to William “Junior” Pierce, here’s everything you need to know about Mindhunter’s newest true crime deep cuts.

Last season of the series almost entirely revolved around our favorite FBI agents Holden (Jonathan Groff) and Bill (Holt McCallany) and our special researcher Wendy (Anna Torv) interviewing and re-interviewing the same group of killers. We don’t know how many times the crew went to hang out with the Co-Ed Killer Ed Kemper, but it was a lot. Well, not anymore. Season 2 picks up with a department that’s more established and ready to get as many varied interviews as possible.

But what’s the true story behind the most shocking characters in the first three episodes of Mindhunter Season 2? Here’s what you need to know.

Who was the BTK Killer?

That ADT serviceman Mindhunter keeps showing isn’t just some random creep. That’s this show’s version of Dennis Rader, the “Bind, Torture, Kill” or BTK Killer. Portrayed by Sonny Valicenti, Rader tortured and killed 10 people in the Wichita, Kansas area from 1974 to 1991. He would target each of his victims before striking and would meticulously plan out each of his murders, often cutting landlines and waiting until the women in the household were completely alone. However, he was best known for his use of knots. Rader would bind his victims in complicated loops to ensure they couldn’t escape.

Though he primarily killed young women, during his first killing in 1974 it was believed he misjudged the Otero family, striking when he thought Joseph Otero was away. That attack led to the murders of Joseph and Julie Otero, as well as their two children Joseph Jr. and Josephine Otero. Rader messed up again in 1978. When he was murdering Kathryn Bright, a crime he claimed responsibility for to the press, her brother Kevin Bright was in the house. Rader shot Bright in the head three times, but he still managed to escape. Kevin Bright became the only person known survive an attack from the BTK Killer.

Much like the Son of Sam, the BTK Killer was known for his habit of sending both the press and authorities taunting letters. He even named himself, much like the notorious New York City killer. Often included in his packages of fake IDs, disturbing photos, and souvenirs from his victims were poems written by Rader.

Is the BTK Killer caught in Mindhunter Season 2?

Though Season 2 certainly deals with the BTK Killer more than Season 1’s lurking foe, it would be a huge leap for him to be caught. Season 2 takes place between 1979 and 1981, and Rader wasn’t caught until several decades later (of note, we’ve only screened five of the nine Season 2 episodes of this writing).

After staying silent for 14 years, Rader starting sending authorities and the press letters again in 2004. This communication is actually what led to his arrest. Before sending the cops another taunting letter, he first asked authorities if it was possible for them to trace a floppy disk back to a personal computer. The police lied and said it was impossible, and for whatever reason Rader believed them. He sent a floppy disk and that paired with a DNA sample his daughter gave in college was enough for cops to connect him to and arrest him for the BTK Killer’s crimes. After terrorizing Kansas for 31 years, it was not getting computers that led to this demon being captured.

Who was Kevin Bright, one of the BTK Killer’s victims? Who is Kevin Bright’s actor?

In Episode 2 FBI agent Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) meets in a car with one of the BTK Killer’s victims. That victim is none other than Kevin Bright, the only person to escape an attack from this killer. The reason why Kevin’s face is never shown during this conversation is because he was shot repeatedly. Rader bound Bright just as he had all of his other victims. Bright managed to get out of his knots, and in the ensuing struggle he was shot in the head three times by Rader. Bright then played dead as Rader moved on to his sister Kathryn Bright, who did not survive. Shortly after Rader was arrested for his crimes, Bright sued the killer $75,000 for damages including medical bills, lost income, mental anguish, and disability.

We may never clearly see Bright in Mindhunter, but we do know who plays him. That would be Andrew Yackel. Prior to Mindhunter, Yackel has starred in DC Universe’s Swamp Thing as well as the movie Gutterbug. He’s also set to be in Netflix’s upcoming Slutty Teenage Bounty Hunters, which comes from Jenji Kohan.

Who was William “Junior” Pierce?

The BTK Killer isn’t the only mass murderer who draws attention in this new season. In Episode 3, Holden (Jonathan Groff) and Agent Jim Barney (Albert Jones), one of the agents the team considered hiring in Season 1, conduct a series of interviews in Atlanta, Georgia. First up is William “Junior” Pierce who is unlike any other killer Holden has ever encountered.

Between 1970 and 1971 Pierce killed at least nine people, seven women and two men. His victims lacked a clear commonality. They were killed in a variety of ways, were between the ages of 13 to 60, and Pierce only raped some of them. He was ultimately convicted for the murder of 13-year-old Margaret “Peg” Cullino. But really, what set Pierce apart was his low IQ. It was said that his IQ barely broke 70, which makes the fact he was able to get away with so many murders extra infuriating.

In the world of Mindhunter Piece is portrayed by Michael Filipowich. Prior to Mindhunter the actor has appeared in 24 and Charlie Jade.

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