Dean Arnold Corll

Serial Killer

Dean Arnold Corll: The Houston Mass Murders

Overview

Dean Arnold Corll was an American serial killer responsible for one of the most extensive series of murders uncovered in the United States during the twentieth century. Between 1970 and August 1973, Corll and his teenage accomplices, David Owen Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley Jr., abducted, sexually assaulted, tortured and murdered teenage boys and young men in the Houston, Texas, area. At least 29 victims are associated with the murder series, although investigators and later forensic researchers have long suspected that the actual number was higher. Corll became known as the "Candy Man" and the "Pied Piper." The Candy Man nickname came from his family's candy-manufacturing business in Houston, where Corll had worked and where he became known for giving free candy to neighborhood children. The harmless image concealed a predatory life that eventually resulted in the discovery of numerous bodies buried beneath a rented boat shed, along beaches near High Island, and in wooded areas around Lake Sam Rayburn. Corll was born on December 24, 1939, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His family eventually settled in Texas, and during the 1960s he became closely involved with the family's candy business in Houston Heights. He later worked as an electrician. Many of his eventual victims lived in or had connections to Houston Heights, and some knew Corll, Brooks or Henley personally.

David Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley

Corll's ability to commit murders repeatedly was greatly increased through his relationships with David Owen Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. Brooks met Corll while still a teenager and became a frequent visitor to his home. According to Brooks's later statements, he eventually discovered that Corll was sexually abusing boys. Corll drew Brooks deeper into his activities and began using him to find and bring teenage boys to his residences. Henley was another Houston Heights teenager who entered Corll's circle through Brooks. Henley initially believed that he could earn money by bringing boys to Corll. He subsequently became an active participant in kidnappings and murders. Because Brooks and Henley were themselves teenagers and knew many youths in the Heights, potential victims often had little reason to fear going somewhere with them. The victims were frequently approached with offers of a ride, alcohol, a party or simply an opportunity to spend time with friends. Some willingly entered a vehicle because they knew Brooks or Henley. Once inside one of Corll's residences, however, they could be overpowered and restrained. ...

Confirmed Victims: (27)

Jeffrey Konen Age: (18), Date of Death: September 25, 1970

Suspected Victims:

Jefferson County John Doe Age: (13-19), Date of Death: 1970-1973

Swimsuit Boy Age: (15-18), Date of Death: 1971-1972

Unnamed boy Age: (9), Date of Death: 1971

The Unknown 29th Victim , Date of Death: 1972-1973

Unnamed boy Age: (9), Date of Death: 1973

Donald John Falcon Age: (17), Date of Death: 1971-07-01

John Manning Sellars Age: (17), Date of Death: 1973-07-12

Candy Man Victim: New Clues in Serial Killer Mystery