My Father, the BTK Killer

Look, she was a victim of her dad too, in a different way, but still a victim, and I won't argue that. However, to say authors, talk shows and social media were all so so wrong for exploring the case, when you wrote a book also, went on talk shows and told your story on social media, that just shows bad character. This case horribly affected so many, it can't be "just for her", just because he was her father. She was to off putting for me to enjoy this documentary.

Today's modern society is obsessed with true crime and primarily the (mostly) men who commit the most horrendous acts. I am partially in the group of people that have always looked into these cases, although I believe I somewhat differ to most as I've always enjoyed researching more on the forensic side of things rather than the supposed reasons they done the their crimes after the fact. So I was quite relieved this was a documentary told from a different perspective rather than from a group of supposed tv expert's who had little to no relation to the actual case itself throwing in their two cents.

The documentary does bounce a lot between narratives, and although the documentary presents itself as from Kerri's perspective, in retrospect she really doesn't have that much screen time as compared to former detective's and news reporters from the time. While it was interesting to hear Kerri's story, it really didn't delve all that much into her life and story as much as I had hoped.

The detective's point of view, law enforcement and news reporters, to be honest ive seen so many documentaries on BTK now that I really didn't feel we needed their story again so that part of the documentary felt awfully repetitive especially when there was little of anything new being said from them that I didn't already know.

What I will say that the programme highlights on is the fact society doesn't just blame the perpetrator it blames those closest to them. Unintentionally myself I've always thought of this woman as BTK's daughter not by her actual name Kerri. It also raises concerns that society wether through media influence or whatever that we blame victims, we are made to at least think the question, "well how didn't the family realize what they were living with?", when if you think logically, the reason these people get away with these terrible crimes for long, is they are able to hide in plain sight, even right in front of the people that love them the most.

Like I said, I think this show was well intentioned, I admire Kerri's bravery, I think most would hide and try and move on, possibly rightfully so (for her own well being) but for herself she was blindsided too by evil, she got questions she wanted answered, and it takes a hell of a lot of bravery to face the horrible truth herself. Bit of a shame the programme couldn't focus just on that instead of trying to be a generic true crime doc as well, but overall a decent watch.

What I don't understand is why Kerri was angry with Stephen King for writing a story more or less based on BTK. According to her, he was reopening old wounds and exploiting the victims' families. Then Kerri herself went on TV to complain about it, wrote a book, went on social media, and now this documentary! The makers of this documentary even contacted the victims' families, which must have been very painful for them. But one sentence from King on a talk show is not done!?

I also don't understand why she complains so much about social media, about receiving threats, about people trying to contact her father through her, about people asking questions, etc. She could have chosen to live a quiet life, stay away from social media, not write a book, not appear on TV, not make a documentary. Then people would forget her.

I absolutely believe it's terrible for her that her father is a serial killer and that she's traumatized by it, but my heart goes out to the families of the victims first and foremost. They've lost a loved one violently and will never see them again.

I thought it was an ok documentary, but what I wrote above did irritate me.

For people questioning why Kerri wrote a book, did interviews and was critical about Stephen King's book - you do realize she didn't choose to be his daughter, correct? So, yeah while she could've chose to attempt a quiet and private life and just deal with this on without media, she ultimately decided to do media for reasons that are hers alone. Yes, she's making money off it (true crime as a means of "entertainment" is its own moral issue) but, she's allowed to process the reality of how her dad's actions how she needs to. Imagine getting harassed and death threats because your parent is a serial killer. There's not a manual on how to deal with things like that. Did I wonder why she even had a bit of love or concern for him even after knowing what he did? Yeah, but I'll never have to deal with that. Cognitive dissonance is a thing. I'm glad she ended up cutting contact.

I know the victim's families declined to be a part of this documentary and who can really blame them? My compassion is ultimately with them. I do wish more spotlight had been on the victims themselves as people and the lives they lived but maybe that wasn't included due to the families not being involved in the documentary.

Either way, it's just a lose, lose situation for everyone involved.

The daughter of the infamous killer BTK gives her perspective on being the daughter of one of America's most notorious serial killers.

Beforehand, I came up with the idea that it was some form of cash grab; that was at a time when I had no idea who Kerri was. I knew zero about her, but she definitely changed my mind. It felt like Kerri was able to get a lot of stuff off her chest.

I thought Kerri came across very well, answering some tough questions and providing the human element. At the end of the day, he was her father, and she would have had a very different relationship with him.

We've all wondered and questioned one thing: how on earth could someone live with a killer and not know? I'm sure none of us would either believe it or want to believe that a loved one was a killer.

There's a fascination with serial killers. We've just had a documentary about Ed Gein drop; this gives a different perspective.

Interesting. If you haven't seen the documentary on Netflix about BTK, it's worth watching.

7/10.