The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, a gripping Investigation Discovery documentary aired August 17, 2025 from9-11PM ET/PT on ID, features Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. speaking publicly for the first time in decades about his role as an accomplice to serial killer Dean Corll, known as “The Candy Man.” This chilling program explores the Houston Mass Murders of the early 1970s, delving into grooming, manipulation, and the moral complexities of Henley’s actions.
Dean Corll, a seemingly friendly Houston resident, earned the nickname “The Candy Man” by handing out candy to neighborhood kids. From 1970 to 1973, he tortured, raped, and murdered at least 28 boys and young men, aged 13 to 20, in the Houston Mass Murders. With accomplices Henley and David Brooks, Corll targeted vulnerable teens, burying many victims in remote locations like a Houston boat shed.
At 14, Henley was lured to Corll’s home by David Brooks, narrowly escaping death by mentioning his mother knew his whereabouts. Instead of becoming a victim, Henley was groomed to recruit others. In The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, Henley, now in his 60s and serving six life sentences, discusses with forensic psychologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland how Corll used fear and fabricated threats of a “sex trafficking syndicate” to control him.
"I was 15. I was scared to death."Elmer Wayne Henley Jr
Ramsland calls Henley a “textbook case of psychological grooming,” noting how Corll exploited his troubled background—marked by an abusive father and drug use—to ensure compliance.
On August 8, 1973, Henley ended Corll’s killing spree by fatally shooting him six times during a confrontation. Corll had tied up Henley and two others, threatening their lives. Henley, trained by Corll to shoot, seized a gun and killed him. He then confessed to police, leading them to 27 victims’ burial sites, exposing the horrific scale of the Houston Mass Murders.
Henley’s role sparks debate: Was he a manipulated teen or a cold-blooded killer? In the documentary, he expresses remorse but acknowledges his punishment.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness, but people need to understand how this can happen to a kid.”HenleElmer Wayne Henley Jr
While some victims’ families reject sympathy, Ramsland highlights Henley’s vulnerability as a teen exploited by a predator, emphasizing the need to protect youth from grooming.
The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, which premiered on Investigation Discovery on August 17, 2025, offers a rare look into the mind of a killer’s accomplice and the devastating impact of Corll’s crimes. It underscores how predators like Corll hide behind a friendly facade and the urgent need to address psychological manipulation. Tune in to explore this haunting chapter of true crime history.
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