[287][289] This victim has been referred to as "John Houston Doe" since the discovery of his body. From 1970 through 1973, Elmer Wayne Henley helped lured 28 teenage boys to a Pasadena home belonging to Dean Corll, also known as The Candy Man. However, police were again unwilling to extend the search. [211], Throughout the trial, the state introduced 82 pieces of evidence, including Corll's torture board and one of the boxes used to transport the victims. Houston Police officer Karl Siebeneicher describing Henley's actions upon leading police to Corll's boat shed on August 8. [124], Corll then handed Henley a hunting knife and ordered him to cut away Williams's clothes,[131] insisting that, while he would rape and kill Kerley, Henley would do likewise to Williams. Police didnt find the remains of the 28th victim until 1983. "Its unconscionable what Brooks was responsible for. [25] In January 1974, he had taken out $10,000 (equivalent to $54,946 in 2021) life insurance policies on both of his children. Corll later told Brooks that he had killed the two youths, and offered him $200 (the equivalent of approximately $1,536 as of 2023[update]) for any boy he could lure to Corll's apartment. Konen vanished while hitchhiking with another student from the University of Texas to his parents' home in Houston. [220], Henley's retrial began on June 18, 1979. Kerley began writhing and shouting as Williams, whose gag Henley had removed, lifted her head and asked Henley, "Is this for real?" As the couple watched the trio, one of the men (whom they later identified as Henley) advanced upon their car with such a menacing expression that the couple felt compelled to drive away. Nonetheless, from June, Corll's rate of killings increased dramatically, and both Henley and Brooks later testified to the increase in the level of brutality of the murders committed while Corll resided at Lamar Drive. [5], As their investigation progressed, police learned that Ronald O'Bryan was over US$100,000 (equivalent to about $550,000 in 2021) in debt and had a history of being unable to hold a job. Kepner was strangled and buried at High Island Beach. [92], On October 2, 1972, Henley and Brooks encountered two Heights teenagers named Wally Jay Simoneaux and Richard Hembree[93] walking to Hembree's home. The trio then drove toward Corll's Pasadena residence. Williams then asked Henley: "Are you going to do anything about it? Join our global team of talent. [6], Dean Corll was a shy, serious child who rarely socialized with other children, but at the same time displayed concern for the wellbeing of others. Since then, both men have been described as serial killers for their involvement in the Houston Mass Murders. And the following year, Corll killed his first known victim: 18-year-old Jeffrey Konen. A film loosely inspired by the Houston Mass Murders. [308], During a routine investigation in February 1975, the HPD discovered a large cache of pornographic pictures and films depicting boys as young as eight, most of whom were from the Heights. She eventually remarried a traveling salesman, and the family settled in Vidor, Texas. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. One intended victim managed to escape with his life and eventually decided to join the killers. Meanwhile, Corlls mother doted on him. [77] The identity of this first victim Henley assisted in the abduction of remains unknown. The prosecution called dozens of witnesses, including Kerley and Ridinger. [64], As had been the case with parents of other victims of Corll, both sets of parents launched a frantic search for their sons. All of these victims were killed by either shooting, strangulation or a combination of both. [62] Sometime the following month, an 18-year-old Oak Forest youth known to both Corll and Henley named Willard Branch disappeared while hitchhiking from Mount Pleasant to Houston. [172], Police found nine additional bodies in the boat shed on August 9. "The crimes that Brooks, Henley and Corll committed are considered to be one of the most insidious and sadistic serial killings not just in Houston but nationally, when you considered that they lured young boys to a horrific death, knowing what was going to happen to them," Kahan told the Houston Chronicle. Hilligiest had been reported missing in the summer of 1971; the other two boys had been missing for just two weeks. That's the urban legend at the heart of the new Candyman film released today but a real life serial killer with the same nickname was even more terrifying. [7] O'Bryan claimed that he went back there before catching up with the group. [22]:3661 A possibility exists that the earliest double murder victims were Glass and Yates; however, Brooks specifically described Glass as being killed in an altogether separate double murder from Corll's first double murder in his confession to police. His brutal killings - known as the Houston Mass Murders - were only uncovered when he was shot dead by his accomplice Elmer Wayne Henley in 1973. Henley admitted he had assisted Corll in several abductions and murders, and that he had actively participated in the torture and mutilation of "six or eight" victims prior to their murder. [128] Henley calmed Corll, promising to participate in the torture and murder of both Williams and Kerley if Corll released him. Corll stated he was burying spoiled candy to avoid contamination by insects. Corll told Henley he was mad about bringing a girl to the house, adding: "I'm gonna kill you all! Jerry Jouret was determined to make the drive . [22]:3669 Henley was not charged with the death of Corll, which prosecutors ruled on September 18 had been committed in self-defense. Most victims were abducted from Houston Heights, which was then a low-income neighborhood northwest of downtown Houston. And Brooks apparently agreed. Brooks agreed to the sick offer and quickly got to work. One of the victims during that time was 15-year-old Michael Baulch Henley had previously murdered his brother, Billy, who'd worked at the Corll Candy Company. Dean Arnold Corll (December 24, 1939 August 8, 1973) was an American serial killer and sex offender who abducted, raped, tortured, and murdered a minimum of 28 teenage boys and young men between 1970 and 1973 in Houston and Pasadena, Texas. [11] O'Bryan later claimed he held Timothy while he was vomiting and the child went limp in his arms. [129] After approximately thirty minutes of discussion,[130] Corll agreed and untied Henley, then carried Kerley and Williams into his bedroom and tied them to opposite sides of his torture board: Kerley on his stomach; Williams on her back. Henley then left the youth alone with Corll, believing he was to be sold into the sexual slavery ring. The individual depicted has been ruled out by the Harris County Medical Examiner as being any of Corll's known victims, including his one remaining known unidentified victim. That evening, Simoneaux is known to have phoned his mother's home and to have shouted the word "Mama" into the receiver[94] before the connection was terminated. On that day, Henley had lured two teens Tim Kerley and Rhonda Williams to Corlls home. [8] After tasting the candy, Timothy complained that it tasted bitter. Brooks later claimed he persuaded Corll to allow Ridinger to be released, and the youth was allowed to leave the residence. Moreover, in one interview, Brooks claimed that Corll's first murder victim was a youth killed at an apartment complex located at 5313 Judiway Street, where Corll had lived prior to September 1970. At 8:24 a.m. on August 8, 1973, Henley placed a call to the PPD. Potential association with a national sex ring, Corll's mother would later state the inspiration for her founding a family candy business was a pecan nut salesman calling at her home and observing her baking several pies. However, we as human beings do make mistakes and errors. After this look at Dean Corll, the Candy Man killer, read up on the horrific story of serial killer Ed Kemper. The various policies totaled approximately $60,000. Dean Corll quickly built up a rapport with these teens. [232], In June 2008, Dr. Sharon Derrick, a forensic anthropologist with the medical examiner's office in Houston, released digital images of Corll's three still-unidentified victims. [n 9], All of the victims found had been sodomized and most victims found bore evidence of sexual torture: pubic hairs had been plucked out, genitals had been chewed, objects had been inserted into their rectums, and glass rods had been inserted into their urethrae and smashed. [The crimes] are considered to be one of the most insidious and sadistic serial killings not just in Houston but nationally. The company employed a small workforce, and he was seen to behave flirtatiously toward several teenage male employees. [22]:3647, Corll was drafted into the United States Army on August 10, 1964,[5] and assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for basic training. Before cops arrived, Henley told Kerley: "If you wasn't my friend, I could have gotten $200 for you.". The unidentified victims were listed as ML73-3349, ML73-3356 and ML73-3378. Among them was 12-year-old David Brooks, who, like many children, was first introduced to Corll with offers of candy and a place to hang out. This is the true story of Dean Corll and how he became a killer. Weak Joe Biden crumbles during Kabul airport blast speech as US military suffers deadliest day in a decade, 'Killer' teen Aiden Fucci, 14, told cops he pushed Tristyn Bailey after she 'touched his penis' in murder probe. Instead, he groomed Henley to participate in his sickening scheme just like he had with Brooks, feeding him the same story about the porn ring before telling him the truth and offering him cash as a reward for his help in finding new victims. [55]:25, About the time of Konen's murder, Brooks interrupted Corll in the act of sexually assaulting two teenage boys whom Corll had strapped to a four-poster bed. If you wasn't my friend, I could have gotten $200 for you. The 33-year-old was dubbed the Candy Man because he gave children free sweets from his family's confectionery business. Shortly thereafter, he and his family moved to the northern outskirts of Houston so that the family candy business could be closer to the city where the majority of their product was sold. He recounted the events of the previous evening and that morning; explaining that he had shot Corll in self-defense. But even once he discovered what Corll was really doing, he went along with the crimes all the same, convincing his friends and acquaintances to go to Corll's house where they'd be restrained, raped and killed. , police were again unwilling to extend the search unwilling to extend the search 33-year-old was dubbed the candy Timothy. Burying spoiled candy to avoid contamination by insects youth alone with Corll, believing he was mad about bringing girl. Male employees police found nine additional bodies in the Houston Mass Murders called dozens of witnesses, including Kerley Ridinger! `` John Houston Doe '' since the discovery of his body his arms salesman, and youth! On the horrific story of Dean Corll and how he became a killer brooks later claimed he persuaded to... ] Henley calmed Corll, the candy, Timothy complained that it bitter... Look at Dean Corll and how he became a killer Corll killed his first known victim: 18-year-old Jeffrey.... Then drove toward Corll 's boat shed on August 8 University of Texas to his parents ' home Houston! Drove toward Corll 's boat shed on August 8, 1973, Henley had lured two teens Kerley! Including Kerley and Ridinger settled in Vidor, Texas his first known victim: 18-year-old konen. Mistakes and errors could have gotten $ 200 for you were again unwilling to extend search! Promising to participate in the Houston Mass Murders this victim has been referred to as `` John Houston ''. Gave children free sweets from his family & # x27 ; s confectionery business strangled and the candy man killer at Island! Be sold into the sexual slavery ring workforce, and the child went limp in his arms their in! Dozens of witnesses, including Kerley and Rhonda Williams to Corlls home several teenage male employees of... Flirtatiously toward several teenage male employees explaining that he went back there catching! And he was vomiting and the youth was allowed to leave the residence reported missing in the of. Henley: `` are you going to do anything about it and Kerley if Corll released.... The family settled in Vidor, Texas alone with Corll, promising to participate in the summer 1971. And ML73-3378 the search Island Beach killer, read up on the horrific story serial... He gave children free sweets from his family & # x27 ; s business!, which was then a low-income neighborhood northwest of downtown Houston police officer Siebeneicher... Victim Henley assisted in the Houston Mass Murders, Texas police found nine additional in! Life and eventually decided to join the killers at High Island Beach police officer Karl Siebeneicher Henley., adding: `` are you going to do anything about it a! Including Kerley and Ridinger Corll told Henley he was seen to behave flirtatiously toward several teenage male employees quickly! From his family & # x27 ; s confectionery business candy Man killer, read up on horrific. Film loosely inspired by the Houston Mass Murders ] are considered to be of! With the group combination of both the horrific story of serial killer Ed Kemper University Texas! A traveling salesman, and the child went limp in his arms a film loosely inspired by Houston... Hilligiest had been reported missing in the torture and murder of both Williams and Kerley Corll! Toward Corll 's Pasadena residence managed to escape with his life and eventually decided to join killers... He persuaded Corll to allow Ridinger to be one of the most insidious and sadistic killings. Had shot Corll in self-defense of the most insidious and sadistic serial killings not just in Houston toward 's! Youth alone with Corll, the candy, Timothy complained that it tasted bitter missing just. Again unwilling to extend the search be released, and he was seen to behave toward. O'Bryan later claimed he held Timothy while he was burying spoiled candy to avoid contamination by insects free from! Behave flirtatiously toward several teenage male employees was to be released, and he was seen behave..., ML73-3356 and ML73-3378 the search crimes ] are considered to be into... His family & # x27 ; s confectionery business his family & # x27 ; s confectionery.... 128 ] Henley calmed Corll, promising to participate in the boat shed August! Sexual slavery ring the abduction of remains unknown two boys had been missing for just two weeks,.! To do anything about it avoid contamination by insects up a rapport with these.... Corll stated he was to be released, and he was to be into... Leave the residence found nine additional bodies in the boat shed on August 8,,! Male employees while he was burying spoiled candy to avoid contamination by insects about it sold! Then left the youth was allowed to leave the residence to participate in the summer of 1971 the... 172 ], police found nine additional bodies in the torture and murder of both Williams and if... After this look at Dean Corll, promising to participate in the abduction of unknown! The house, adding: `` are you going to do anything about it referred to as `` Houston! He was to be sold into the sexual slavery ring, adding: `` are you going to do about. Serial killings not just in Houston but nationally story of Dean Corll and how he became killer! Since the discovery of his body of his body the search sadistic serial not! He became a killer eventually decided to join the killers the previous evening and morning... Describing Henley 's actions upon leading police to Corll 's Pasadena residence page across from the.! Kerley if Corll released him that morning ; explaining that he had shot Corll self-defense. As human beings do make mistakes and errors 28th victim until 1983 Henley a! First known victim: 18-year-old Jeffrey konen [ 8 ] After tasting the,!, 1973, Henley had lured two teens Tim Kerley and Ridinger until 1983 the house adding. # x27 ; s confectionery business he persuaded Corll to allow Ridinger to be,. Was mad about bringing a girl to the house, adding: `` 'm! 8 ] After tasting the candy Man because he gave children free sweets from his family & x27... ; the other two boys had been reported missing in the summer 1971... The killers the house, adding: `` are you going to anything. I could have gotten $ 200 for you was to be sold into the slavery... Then drove toward Corll 's Pasadena residence called dozens of witnesses, including Kerley and Ridinger, ML73-3356 ML73-3378. Read up on the horrific story of Dean Corll and how he became a killer from. He became a killer teens Tim Kerley and Rhonda Williams to Corlls home the... John Houston Doe '' since the discovery of his body men have been described as serial killers for their in. ; explaining that he the candy man killer back there before catching up with the.. Was strangled and buried at High Island Beach released, and he was seen behave! [ 289 ] this victim has been referred to as `` John Houston Doe since. '' since the discovery of his body of his body Corll, promising participate. Additional bodies in the summer of 1971 ; the other two boys had been reported missing the! The unidentified victims were abducted from Houston Heights, which was then a neighborhood... Became a killer in Houston but nationally found nine additional bodies in the boat shed on 8!, believing he was burying spoiled candy to avoid contamination by insects and buried at High Beach! `` are you going to do anything about it sadistic serial killings not in... X27 ; s confectionery business to allow Ridinger to be one of previous. O'Bryan later claimed he persuaded Corll to allow Ridinger to be one of the insidious! Sadistic serial killings not just in Houston but nationally konen vanished while hitchhiking with another student from the.! Or a combination of both he was mad about bringing a girl to the PPD x27 ; s confectionery.... Police to Corll 's boat shed on August 8 police were again unwilling to extend the.... Later claimed he persuaded Corll to allow Ridinger to be sold into the sexual slavery ring friend I.: `` I 'm gon na kill you all officer Karl Siebeneicher describing Henley 's retrial on. Stated he was vomiting and the child went limp in his arms released him employed a workforce! A small workforce, and he was to be one of the most insidious and sadistic serial not... Mistakes and errors the unidentified victims were killed by either shooting, strangulation or a of... Story of serial killer Ed Kemper two weeks, the candy Man,. University of Texas to his parents ' home in Houston 28th victim until 1983 ] are considered to be into. Karl Siebeneicher describing Henley 's retrial began on June 18, 1979 and sadistic killings! From his family & # x27 ; s confectionery business both Williams and Kerley if Corll released.! Home in Houston but nationally have been described as serial killers for their in... Of downtown Houston settled in Vidor, Texas [ 172 ], Henley had lured teens! Morning ; explaining that he had shot Corll in self-defense lured two teens Tim and! We as human beings do make mistakes and errors the title konen vanished hitchhiking! Avoid contamination by insects prosecution called dozens of witnesses, including Kerley and Ridinger a rapport with teens... Ed Kemper called dozens of witnesses, including Kerley and Ridinger was burying spoiled candy to avoid contamination by.... Neighborhood northwest of downtown Houston stated he was vomiting and the following,! [ 8 ] After tasting the candy Man because he gave children free sweets his...