The infamous Candy Man killer, Dean Corll, murdered 28 people, mostly teenagers who were lured by candy or drugs. In a new documentary, Elmer Wayne Henley, one of the serial killers’ accomplices, reveals how he almost became a victim and his motivations for participating in the horrific scheme.
Henley, then 14, was recruited by Corll and his teenage accomplice David Brooks to help collect victims for torture and murder. For $200 per victim, they would lure boys with candy or drugs. Henley eventually reached his breaking point and shot Corll in self-defense, leading police to multiple burial sites where bodies were found.
In an exclusive phone interview, Dr. Katherine Ramsland coaxes Henley to explain how he got entangled in the scheme. He reveals that Brooks convinced him to visit Corll with promises of fun and drugs, and that he was initially taken over by the serial killer’s influence. However, when Brooks asked him to commit his first murder, Henley began to resist and eventually turned against Corll.
The documentary features Debbie Stellas, a friend of one of the victims who shares her experiences of watching the tragedy unfold on the news. She describes how the police initially didn’t believe her friend’s father was missing, despite having evidence that Billy Lawrence was killed by Corll.
Henley is now serving six consecutive terms of 99 years in prison for his role in the murders. His parole eligibility in October 2025 has sparked debate among those who want to see him remain behind bars forever.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/candy-man-killer-doc-serial-killer-s-apprentice-b2807415.html