Reuben Watson Haney, a 17-year-old male, tragically lost his life on August 17, 1971, in Houston, Texas. He was one of the victims of Dean Corll, a notorious serial killer and sex offender who operated in Houston and Pasadena, Texas, between 1970 and 1973. Corll, often referred to as 'The Candy Man,' was responsible for the abduction, rape, torture, and murder of at least twenty-eight teenage boys and young men during this period.
Reuben Watson Haney's ethnicity is not explicitly mentioned in the sources.
On the day of his death, Reuben left his home to visit a cinema. Later, he called his mother to inform her that he would be spending the evening with Brooks, an acquaintance. Brooks, along with another accomplice, was instrumental in luring victims to Corll. Reuben was persuaded to attend a party at Corll's residence, where he was subsequently gagged, strangled, and buried in Corll's boat shed. His skeletal remains were discovered two years later, in 1973, during an investigation into Corll's crimes.
Dean Corll's heinous acts came to light after one of his accomplices, Elmer Wayne Henley, fatally shot him in self-defense during an altercation. This led to the uncovering of the Houston Mass Murders, one of the most gruesome serial killings in American history. Henley and Brooks were arrested and charged for their roles in the murders. Henley was convicted of six murders and sentenced to six consecutive life terms, while Brooks received a life sentence for his involvement.
The investigation into Reuben Watson Haney's death and the broader Houston Mass Murders revealed the extent of Corll's atrocities and the complicity of his teenage accomplices. The case remains a chilling reminder of the vulnerability of young individuals and the devastating impact of unchecked criminal behavior.
