Six-Year Investigation Reexamines the Fager Family Murders and Corrects Longstanding Public Narrative
Alternative Eye is reporting new developments stemming from a six-year independent investigation led by host and decoder Melissa Phelan, which began on-site in Wichita, Kansas, in 2020.
The investigation centers on the 1987 murders of Melvin Phillip Fager and his daughters, Sherri and Kelli, a crime committed just days before the new year that has left a lasting impact across Wichita and surrounding communities.
The graves of the Fager Family- M. Phillip, Sherri and Kelli courtesy of www.findagrave.com
In 1988, the case was officially closed following the acquittal of Fager family contractor and business owner William T. Butterworth. Since that time, public understanding of the case has remained largely frozen in a narrative shaped by that outcome.
However, according to Sedgwick County, Kansas, the Fager case is currently classified as an open and active investigation as of 2025.
The Fager Family Home
Melissa Phelan and the investigative team at Alternative Eye state that a central objective of their work is to reexamine and correct the public narrative surrounding the Fager investigation, particularly in light of evidence and analysis that was not fully explored or contextualized at the time of the original proceedings.
As part of this ongoing work, Melissa has returned to the publicly known communications attributed to Dennis Rader, sent just days after the murders to Mary Fager, including a poem and sketch dated January 5, 1988. These materials have existed in the public record for decades but had not previously been subjected to sustained behavioral and pattern-based analysis.
Letter sent to Mary Fager
During recent live episodes of Alternative Eye: Beyond the File, Melissa conducted a comprehensive reanalysis of these communications. Using her decoding methods, behavioral analysis, and pattern recognition frameworks, she identified previously overlooked indicators suggesting Rader possessed specific knowledge of the interior of the Fager home—with particular emphasis on the basement, which was the focal point of the murders.
Sketch sent to Mary Fager
According to the analysis presented on the show, the language choices, imagery, and structural elements within the poem and sketch are consistent with insider familiarity, rather than generalized or speculative knowledge. The decoding process was demonstrated live, allowing viewers to observe the analytical methodology rather than being presented with conclusions alone.
Photo of the Fager basement
Photo of the Fager basement and spiral staircase is not visible from outside the home
Drawing from Rader to Mary Fager, which shows he knew key details of the home, including the depiction of the spiral staircase in which he hid his silhouette**
Photo of the interior of the Fager home basement, where the murders of the 2 girls took place
Decoding of Dennis Rader’s “CHAPTER 8” cipher
Melissa Phelan’s decoding of Dennis Rader’s “CHAPTER 8” cipher regarding the Fager murders
In parallel, Melissa continues her long-term decoding of Dennis Rader’s infamous “CHAPTER 8” word puzzle, a cipher she has been actively analyzing since February 22, 2025. This ongoing work remains a central component of the broader investigative framework being explored on Alternative Eye, with new insights continuing to emerge.
Melissa Phelan’s decoding of Dennis Rader’s “CHAPTER 8” cipher regarding the Fager murders
"SPIRAL STAIRCASE" "IN THE BASEMENT"
"I FRAMED BILL BUTTERWORTH" "I AM GUILTY"
"I SHOT MELVIN" "REFERRING TO MELVIN "PHILLIP" FAGER"
Alternative Eye emphasizes that all content presented reflects investigative analysis, interpretation, and opinion based on publicly available information, behavioral study, and documented communications. This work does not replace official investigations, does not constitute legal conclusions, and is presented in the interest of transparency, education, and responsible public-interest inquiry.
Further updates will follow as the investigation and analysis continue. See live decoding, latest updates and more at: Alternative Eye: Beyond the File - YouTube
REFERENCES:
Please visit the FBI Vault records for more information on Dennis Rader, his known cases & communications, and “CHAPTER 8”- FBI Records: The Vault — Dennis Rader
For trial information on William Butterworth: State v. Butterworth :: 1990 :: Kansas Supreme Court Decisions :: Kansas Case Law :: Kansas Law :: U.S. Law :: Justia
For newspaper references on the Fager family homicides: Sedgwick County, KS Fager family memorial- Melvin Phillip Fager (1950-1987) - Find a Grave Memorial
