A prosecutor in Oklahoma said Monday there is not enough information to file any charges against BTK serial killer Dennis Rader for the 1976 disappearance of a woman in northern Oklahoma.

Osage County sheriff’s investigators have said that Rader is a suspect in the disappearance of 16-year-old Cynthia Dawn Kinney, who was last seen at a laundromat in Pawhuska.  Investigators went to Park City, Kansas on August 23rd to search the site of Rader’s former home, and they reported that they found items of interest.   Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden has said Rader is a prime suspect in Cynthia’s disappearance.

Mike Fisher, the district attorney for Osage and Pawnee counties, made a cautionary statement Monday at the Pawnee County courthouse in Pawnee, Oklahoma.  He raised concerns about the sheriff’s investigation, the way evidence was gathered and chain-of-custody issues in the case.    He said while information recently released in the media may lead to speculation and rumors, “Our legal justice system cannot guess as to someone’s involvement in a crime, no matter the history of the person being accused.  As of this date, the information that has been shared is insufficient to file criminal charges against Dennis Rader.”     Fisher said he is asking the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to open a formal investigation into Cynthia’s disappearance.   He said the OSBI will pursue all reasonable leads to identify those who may or may not have been involved, and if there is evidence that will support charges, his office will file those charges as appropriate and as the law requires.

Fisher said, “We haven’t gotten to probable cause yet.  We haven’t gotten to reasonable suspicion yet.”   He said he has talked with Cynthia’s parents and he told them he doesn’t hold out a lot of hope for solving the case.   He said he has to have hard evidence that he can present in court.   Fisher is also asking media and others to respect the privacy of the Kinneys, and the recent reports and speculation have caused them pain and emotional distress.

Fisher said he has not seen any evidence collected by the Osage County Sheriff’s Office.  He said he has contacted the sheriff’s office about the case but he has not heard back from them.   He said he is not trying to create a conflict with the sheriff but he’s concerned that proper investigative techniques have not been used and that’s why he’s asking the OSBI to get involved.