The Sketcher

"The Sketcher" is Julie Riedel, the woman who sketched the first age-progression forensic drawings in the history of criminology. 10 people were murdered by the BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader, in and around Wichita, Kansas from 1974-1991. To sketch the aging killer, Julie studies the cold-case files of the 31-year-long investigation under the direction of the Wichita Police Department. As she attempts to put a face to the unidentified killer, she discovers parallels between the atrocities committed by BTK and the events in her own life. The case triggers memories of her abusive childhood and troubled marriages. She suffers horrific nightmares, fearing retribution from the BTK strangler.

As a struggling single mother with three children, Julie finds the courage to break the cycle of abuse in her life. She resolves to honor the victims of BTK through her art. Her nightmares end when BTK, Dennis Rader, is captured and imprisoned. She looks back at her accomplishments and the lessons she's learned, and continues to search for explanations regarding human cruelty.

Julie Riedel was born in Wichita, Kansas. Destined to be an artist, she won a scholarship to Notre Dame University and has earned two master's degrees and several graphic design awards. She was featured in Psychology Today, "The Artist and the Serial Killer" by Katherine Ramsland, PhD. Julie still does graphic design work and is currently an art teacher at Southeast High School in Wichita, Kansas. She is the proud mother of 5 children and 11 grandchildren.