He Barely Escaped a Serial Killer, Then Became His Accomplice

Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. was just 14 when he first crossed paths with the notorious “Candy Man” serial killer, Dean Corll, in early 1970s Houston. Corll, a trusted neighbor known to hand out candy to local boys, lured Henley to his home through the manipulative efforts of David Brooks.

A seemingly innocuous conversation about self-defense turned terrifying when Corll probed whether anyone knew Henley was there—at that moment, Henley mentioned his mother did, a hesitation that likely spared his life that day.

Grooming a Threat into a Killing Tool

Despite escaping that encounter, Henley unwittingly stepped further into Corll’s web. Gradually, Corll groomed Henley using a combination of manipulation and fear.

For forensic psychologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland, Corll’s approach was methodical—he preyed on vulnerable youths like Henley through emotional tactics and fabrications, including a fabricated sex trafficking syndicate that threatened to harm their families if they tried to escape or speak out.

Henley, drawn deeper into Corll’s twisted scheme, became what Ramsland terms a “compliant accomplice”—a role that blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. He aided in Corll’s abductions, torture, and burial of numerous boys, while remaining under Corll’s control through both coercion and a sense of survival.

Turning Predator Against Predator

The multi-year killing spree finally ended in 1973 during a violent confrontation when Henley, acting in desperation, fatally shot Corll.

Though the shooting ended the immediate threat, it condemned Henley to decades behind bars. Alongside Brooks, he led authorities to the burial sites, effectively exposing Corll’s crimes and ending a nightmare for the victimized families.

Reflecting on Responsibility and Victimhood

Now featured in the new ID documentary The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, Henley revisits his role for the first time publicly in decades.

Accompanied by Dr. Ramsland’s expert perspective, he explores the psychological layers of victimization and accountability. Ramsland argues for understanding Henley’s complicity not as justification, but as a tragic consequence of strategic grooming by an adult predator.

Henley is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in at least six murders. Though remorseful, he recognizes the gravity of his actions—and the likelihood he will remain imprisoned.

A Documentary Illuminates a Rare Truth

The Serial Killer’s Apprentice premieres on August 17 on Investigation Discovery. It offers an unvarnished look into Henley’s emotional journey—from a terrified boy ensnared by Corll’s manipulations to a man forced to confront his role in unspeakable crimes.

This episode underscores the complex dynamics between predator, victim, and accomplice—forcing us to confront difficult questions about culpability, resilience, and the terrifying power of abusive influence.

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