The humid Texas air still carries whispers of one of America’s most chilling crime sprees. Now, Investigation Discovery’s explosive documentary The Serial Killer’s Apprentice forces a reckoning with Dean Corll’s “Candy Man” murders through the eyes of his accomplice, Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. – who speaks publicly for the first time in over five decades. This harrowing film dissects how Corll groomed teenagers into complicity while torturing and killing at least 28 young men in 1970s Houston, revealing Henley’s contested role as both victim and perpetrator. Viewer discretion remains essential: the details unsettle even seasoned true crime audiences.

Where Is Elmer Wayne Henley Now?

Elmer Wayne Henley, now 69, serves six life sentences at the Barry B. Telford Unit prison in Bowie County, Texas. The documentary unpacks his complex legacy: a teenager manipulated by Corll who later became an active killer. Criminologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland secured Henley’s first interview since his conviction, probing his claims of being coerced through financial desperation and fear. At 15, Henley accepted Corll’s offer of $200 per boy, believing victims were sold to a fictional “Syndicate.” Yet evidence confirms Henley personally murdered six victims. As Lieutenant M.P. Jackson of Pasadena PD states in the film, “The repetitive nature of his offences tells me he remains a continuing danger to society.”

What Happened to the Candy Man Killer?

Corll’s reign ended violently on August 8, 1973, when Henley fatally shot the 33-year-old in self-defense during a botched murder attempt. After Corll bound Henley and two friends at his Pasadena home, Henley persuaded him to release one hand, grabbed Corll’s pistol, and fired repeatedly. Henley then stunned investigators by confessing their crimes: “I decided it was better to be honest,” he tells Ramsland. His guidance led police to makeshift gravesites across Houston, exposing what was then America’s worst serial murder case. Corll earned his “Candy Man” moniker from his family’s confectionery business, where he lured teens with free treats.

Could Henley Ever Be Released?

Henley’s parole prospects remain bleak despite eligibility hearings every few years. Convicted in 1974 of six murders (excluding Corll’s death), he received six consecutive 99-year terms. Though a 1979 retrial made the sentences concurrent, parole boards consistently deny his release. His next hearing is scheduled for October 2025, but officials emphasize his ongoing risk. The documentary highlights Henley’s psychological duality—a manipulated adolescent who evolved into a willing killer. With families of victims still opposing his freedom, his prison term appears lifelong.

This groundbreaking documentary forces America to confront uncomfortable truths about grooming, trauma, and complicity in the Candy Man case. The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, streaming on HBO Max, offers Henley’s unsettling testimony alongside harrowing archival evidence—proving some horrors refuse to stay buried. Watch it to understand how darkness can wear a familiar face.

Must Know

Q: How many victims did Dean Corll and Elmer Wayne Henley have?
A: Corll and accomplices, including Henley, murdered at least 28 teenage boys and young men between 1970-1973 in Houston. Henley was directly responsible for six killings.

Q: Why was Dean Corll called the Candy Man Killer?
A: Corll’s family owned a candy factory in Houston. He gained neighborhood trust by distributing free sweets to children, a tactic that helped him approach potential victims.

Q: How old was Elmer Wayne Henley during the murders?
A: Henley was 15 when he met Corll in 1971. He participated in abductions and murders until age 17, when he killed Corll and confessed.

Q: What sentences is Henley serving?
A: Henley received six 99-year prison terms for murder. Though initially consecutive, they now run concurrently. He’s been denied parole over 20 times.

Q: When can the public watch the documentary?
A: The Serial Killer’s Apprentice premieres on Investigation Discovery and streams on HBO Max starting August 18.