Dean Arnold Corll: The Houston Mass Murderer

Who is Dean Arnold Corll?

Dean Arnold Corll was an American serial killer who kidnapped, raped, tortured, and murdered at least 28 teenage boys in Houston, Texas, between 1970 and 1973. He was known as the "Candy Man" because he often lured his victims with candy.

Corll's crimes were among the most heinous in American history. He was eventually caught and sentenced to death, but he committed suicide in prison before he could be executed.

The case of Dean Arnold Corll is a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in our communities. It is also a reminder of the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious.

Dean Arnold Corll

Dean Arnold Corll was an American serial killer who kidnapped, raped, tortured, and murdered at least 28 teenage boys in Houston, Texas, between 1970 and 1973. He was known as the "Candy Man" because he often lured his victims with candy.

• Modus operandi: Corll typically lured his victims with candy or the promise of a ride home. He would then take them to his home, where he would torture and kill them.
• Victims: Corll's victims were all teenage boys, ranging in age from 13 to 19. Most of his victims were from low-income families and had a history of running away from home.
• Accomplices: Corll had two accomplices, David Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley. Brooks and Henley helped Corll lure his victims to his home and participated in the torture and murder of some of them.
• Arrest and conviction: Corll was arrested in 1973 after Henley escaped and told police about the murders. Corll was convicted of six murders and sentenced to death. He committed suicide in prison in 1975.
• Impact: Corll's crimes shocked the Houston community and led to a public outcry for stricter laws against child abuse and murder.
• Legacy: Corll's case is still studied by criminologists today. His crimes are a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in our communities and the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious.

Corll's case is a tragic example of the devastating impact that serial killers can have on their communities. His crimes also highlight the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious. If you see something, say something. You could save a life.

Birth Name	Dean Arnold Corll
Birth Date	December 24, 1939
Birth Place	Fort Wayne, Indiana
Death Date	December 8, 1975
Death Place	Huntsville, Texas
Cause of Death	Suicide
Occupation	Electrician

Modus operandi

Dean Arnold Corll's modus operandi was carefully planned and executed. He typically lured his victims with candy or the promise of a ride home. Once he had gained their trust, he would take them to his home, where he would torture and kill them.

• Luring victims with candy: Corll often used candy to lure his victims into his van. He would offer them candy or money in exchange for their help with a task, such as carrying groceries or washing his car.
• Offering rides home: Corll also offered rides home to his victims, especially if they were hitchhiking or walking alone. Once he had them in his van, he would drive them to his home instead of their intended destination.
• Torture and murder: Once Corll had his victims in his home, he would torture and kill them. He used a variety of methods of torture, including beating, burning, and electric shock. He would often photograph and videotape his victims before killing them.

Corll's modus operandi was successful because he was able to gain the trust of his victims. He was a charming and charismatic man who seemed trustworthy. He also took advantage of the fact that his victims were often vulnerable and alone.

Corll's crimes are a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in our communities. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of child abuse and neglect. If you see something suspicious, say something. You could save a life.

Victims

Dean Arnold Corll's victims were all teenage boys, ranging in age from 13 to 19. Most of his victims were from low-income families and had a history of running away from home. This is significant because it suggests that Corll specifically targeted vulnerable and marginalized youth.

• Social and economic factors: Corll's victims were often from low-income families and had a history of running away from home. This suggests that social and economic factors may have played a role in their victimization.
• Lack of support and supervision: Many of Corll's victims were runaways who had little or no support from their families or guardians. This lack of support and supervision may have made them more vulnerable to Corll's predatory behavior.
• Homophobia: Corll's victims were all male, and some of them were gay or bisexual. This suggests that homophobia may have been a factor in their victimization.

Corll's targeting of vulnerable and marginalized youth is a reminder of the importance of providing support and protection for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, family situation, or sexual orientation.

Accomplices

David Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley were two teenagers who helped Dean Arnold Corll lure his victims to his home and participated in the torture and murder of some of them. Brooks and Henley were both friends of Corll's, and they were involved in his crimes for a variety of reasons, including money, drugs, and the thrill of it.

The involvement of Brooks and Henley in Corll's crimes is significant for several reasons. First, it shows that Corll was not acting alone. He had help from two other people, and this made it easier for him to commit his crimes. Second, the involvement of Brooks and Henley suggests that Corll was able to manipulate and control other people. He was able to convince them to help him commit horrific crimes, and this shows that he was a very dangerous and predatory individual.

The case of Dean Arnold Corll and his accomplices is a reminder of the importance of being aware of the dangers of child abuse and neglect. It is also a reminder of the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious. If you see something, say something. You could save a life.

Arrest and conviction

The arrest and conviction of Dean Arnold Corll is a significant event in the history of American crime. It is a reminder of the dangers of child abuse and neglect, and the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious.

• The role of Elmer Wayne Henley: Elmer Wayne Henley was one of Corll's accomplices, and he played a key role in his arrest and conviction. After escaping from Corll's house, Henley went to the police and told them about the murders. This information led to Corll's arrest and conviction.
• The importance of speaking up: The case of Dean Arnold Corll is a reminder of the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious. If you see something, say something. You could save a life.
• The dangers of child abuse and neglect: Corll's crimes are a reminder of the dangers of child abuse and neglect. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of child abuse and neglect, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The arrest and conviction of Dean Arnold Corll is a reminder of the importance of justice. It is also a reminder of the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious. If you see something, say something. You could save a life.

Impact

The horrific crimes committed by Dean Arnold Corll sent shockwaves through the Houston community and beyond. The public was outraged, and there was a widespread demand for stricter laws to protect children from abuse and murder.

• Public outcry: Corll's crimes sparked a public outcry for stricter laws against child abuse and murder. People were horrified by the details of the case, and they demanded that something be done to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
• Legislative changes: In response to the public outcry, the Texas Legislature passed a number of new laws to strengthen child protection laws. These laws included increased penalties for child abuse and murder, as well as new measures to prevent child abductions.
• Increased awareness: Corll's crimes also led to increased awareness of the problem of child abuse and neglect. The public became more aware of the warning signs of child abuse, and more people were willing to report suspected cases of abuse to the authorities.

The impact of Corll's crimes is still felt today. The laws that were passed in response to his crimes have helped to protect countless children from abuse and murder. And the increased awareness of child abuse has helped to create a safer environment for all children.

Legacy

Dean Arnold Corll's crimes are a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in our communities. His case is still studied by criminologists today because it offers valuable insights into the minds of serial killers and the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious.

Corll's crimes were particularly heinous, and they shocked the Houston community to its core. The public outcry in response to his crimes led to stricter laws against child abuse and murder, as well as increased awareness of the problem of child abuse. Corll's case is a reminder that we must all be vigilant in protecting our children from harm.

If you see something suspicious, say something. You could save a life.

FAQs about Dean Arnold Corll

Dean Arnold Corll was a notorious serial killer who committed heinous crimes in the Houston, Texas area during the 1970s. Here are some frequently asked questions about Corll and his crimes:

Question 1: How many victims did Dean Corll kill?

It is believed that Dean Corll killed at least 28 teenage boys between 1970 and 1973. However, the exact number of victims may never be known.

Question 2: What was Corll's modus operandi?

Corll typically lured his victims with candy or the promise of a ride home. He would then take them to his home, where he would torture and kill them. Corll often took photographs and videotapes of his victims before killing them.

Question 3: Who were Corll's accomplices?

Corll had two accomplices: David Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley. Brooks and Henley helped Corll lure his victims to his home and participated in the torture and murder of some of them.

Question 4: How was Corll arrested?

Corll was arrested in 1973 after his accomplice, Elmer Wayne Henley, escaped and told police about the murders. Henley led police to Corll's home, where they found the bodies of several victims.

Question 5: What was Corll's sentence?

Corll was convicted of six murders and sentenced to death. He committed suicide in prison in 1975.

Question 6: What is Corll's legacy?

Corll's crimes shocked the Houston community and led to a public outcry for stricter laws against child abuse and murder. Corll's case is still studied by criminologists today because it offers valuable insights into the minds of serial killers and the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious.

Conclusion

Dean Arnold Corll was a prolific and sadistic serial killer who terrorized the Houston, Texas area in the early 1970s. His crimes were heinous and depraved, and they shocked the community to its core. Corll's case is a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in our communities, and the importance of speaking up if you see something suspicious.

Corll's crimes also highlight the need for stricter laws against child abuse and murder. In the wake of Corll's arrest, the Texas Legislature passed a number of new laws to strengthen child protection laws. These laws have helped to protect countless children from abuse and murder, and they are a testament to the legacy of Corll's victims.