The horrific crimes of Killer Clown and the Candy Man – and why ‘nobody cared’ about many victims
They are two of the most notorious serial killers in US history after murdering more than 60 young men and boys between them.
The horrific crimes of Dean Corll and John Wayne Gacy shocked America in the 1970s – but how closely they were linked has only recently been discovered.
Corll tortured, raped and murdered at least 28 victims in Texas after luring them to his home with the help of two teenagers.
The Clown And The Candyman documentary investigates the killers’ links to a wider conspiracy. Pic: Cineflix
The 33-year-old was dubbed the Candy Man because he gave children free sweets from his family’s confectionery business.
His brutal killings – known as the Houston Mass Murders – were only uncovered when he was shot dead by his accomplice Elmer Wayne Henley in 1973.
A year earlier, more than 1,000 miles away, Gacy had murdered his first known victim.
The builder from a suburb of Chicago lured victims to his home by pretending to be a police officer or by promising them work.
He became known as the Killer Clown after performing as Pogo the clown at fundraising events and hospitals throughout the years of his murders.
Police mugshots of Gacy. Pic: Cineflix
Gacy as Pogo the clown. Pic: Cineflix
Gacy was later convicted of killing 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1978 and was executed in 1994.
Now, a documentary, The Clown And The Candyman, has examined the two killers’ connection to a wider criminal conspiracy.
The four-part series identifies “a link” between the murderers and a network of paedophiles operating in the US at the time, according to its director.
And documentary maker Jacqueline Bynon believes there is “no question” there are more victims of the pair who are yet to be discovered.
She tells Sky News that Corll and Gacy are the most shocking serial killers in US history “because they operated for so long in big cities in plain sight and nobody noticed”.
Corll murdered at least 28 young men and boys. Pic: AP/Houston Chronicle
Many of their victims – who were all boys and young men – would go missing and “nobody cared”.
“The interesting thing looking back from our perspective today is nobody cared about boys then,” Bynon says.
“They called them runaways. They didn’t matter.
“In one high school in one little area, 11 boys were missing and nobody noticed.
“Remember in the early 70s, it was just after Easy Rider; doing your own thing; marijuana – the counter-culture was there. Boys were doing that. And some of them were going to the Vietnam War and not coming back.
Sheriff deputies display Corll’s torture board. Pic: AP
“So when the seats were empty in the classroom, nobody noticed.
“If they had been girls, as one cop said to me, this would have been different.
“If a girl had gone missing, they would have put a lot of time into it.”
After shooting dead Corll in 1973, Henley and fellow accomplice David Owen Brooks confessed to helping the serial killer commit his crimes.
Seventeen bodies were found in a boat shed, four were discovered in woodland by a lake, and the other seven known victims were buried at beaches.
Workers search for more bodies of Corll’s victims. Pic: AP
Bynon visited the Texas cities of Pasadena and Houston where Corll carried out his killings and she says the impact is still being felt.
“For some people, it was like the murders occurred two weeks ago,” she tells Sky News.
“They were still raw over it. They are still almost haunted by it.”
Both of Corll’s accomplices received life prison sentences, with Brooks reportedly dying with COVID last year while still behind bars.
Henley – now aged 65 – remains in prison and Bynon spoke to him several times about doing an interview for the documentary.
Corll’s accomplice Elmer Wayne Henley. Pic: Cineflix
“The problem was COVID hit,” she says.
“Unlike most lifers, he liked being communicated to by journalists. But he always wanted something.
“He was friendly but he was also cautious. When I asked him about certain things, he would go: ‘I don’t know anything about’.
“That’s the one thing I regret – that I never got to sit opposite him… he may have opened up.”
The crawl space inside Gacy’s home. Pic: Cineflix
Gacy claimed all of his killings were committed inside his house in Chicago. Twenty-six bodies were found in his crawl space, three others were buried elsewhere at his property and four victims were dumped in a river.
Eight of his victims were buried without being identified – six still haven’t been named.
After being convicted of 33 murders – then the most homicides by one person in US legal history – Gacy was sentenced to death in 1980, but it would be another 14 years until he was executed by lethal injection.
“His final words when he was executed were: ‘Kiss my ass,'” says Bynon.
Gacy was sentenced to death for his crimes. Pic: AP
The filmmaker says she was given recordings of conversations Gacy had during his time in prison – which feature in the documentary – with a man called Randy White who was “fascinated by serial killers”.
White recorded his talks with Gacy over two years and spoke to the murderer the day before he was executed.
Police recover bodies from Gacy’s home. Pic: AP
Bynon believes some people’s fear of clowns originates from the Gacy case.
“They’re supposed to make you laugh but that’s the way he lured people in,” she says.
“He did it with innocence to cover up.”
The Clown And The Candyman begins airing on Sky Crime at 9pm on Sunday.
US
King Charles deeply saddened by death of Briton in New Orleans attack – as reports say victim is stepson of ex-royal nanny
The King is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in the attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day – amid reports he was the stepson of an ex-royal nanny.
Edward Pettifer, from Chelsea, west London, was fatally injured in the tragedy, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
Sky News understands the King was made aware of Mr Pettifer’s death through official channels, was deeply saddened, and has been in touch with the family to share personal condolences.
The 31-year-old’s family said they were “devastated” by his death.
“He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many,” the family said in a statement.
“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private.”
New Orleans’ coroner said the preliminary cause of death for Mr Pettifer was blunt force injuries.
Emergency crews at the scene of the attack. Pic: AP
FBI agents at the scene. Pic: Reuters
Fourteen people were killed and dozens injured when 42-year-old army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s rented truck rammed into people in New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the attack was “premeditated” and an “evil” act of terrorism, and added Jabbar was “100% inspired by ISIS“, also known as Islamic State.
An IS flag was attached to the pick-up truck that was driven down Bourbon Street
The preliminary cause of death for all the victims was blunt force injuries, according to the New Orleans coroner.
The coroner has identified most of those killed in the attack, with efforts continuing to identify the final female victim.
• Edward Pettifer, 31, from Chelsea, west London
• Andrew Dauphin, 26, from Montgomery, Alabama
• Kareem Badawi, 23, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Brandon Taylor, 43, from Harvey, Louisiana
• Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, from Gretna, Louisiana
• Matthew Tenedorio, 25, from Picayune, Mississippi
• Ni’Kyra Dedeaux, 18, from Gulfport, Mississippi
• Nicole Perez, 27, from Metairie, Louisiana
• Reggie Hunter, 37, from Prairieville, Louisiana
• Martin Bech, 27, from New York City, New York
• Terrence Kennedy, 63, from New Orleans, Louisiana
• Elliot Wilkinson, 40, from Slidell, Louisiana
• William DiMaio, 25, from Holmdel, New Jersey
Some of the victims of the New Orleans attack, clockwise from top left: Reggie Hunter, Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, Nicole Perez and Matthew Tenedorio
William DiMaio (left) and Terrence Kennedy
Read more:
What we know about suspect
Did New Orleans authorities fail the victims?
An Islamic State (IS) flag, weapons, and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device (IED) were found in the vehicle used in the attack, the FBI said.
The suspect posted five videos on social media before the rampage in support of IS, the agency added.
In his first clip, Jabbar said he was planning to harm his own family and friends, but was concerned headlines would not focus on the “war between the believers and disbelievers”, said Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counter-terrorism division.
Jabbar also joined IS “before this summer”, and provided a will, the FBI chief said.
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The half-brother of the attack suspect said ‘this wasn’t the man I knew’
In an interview with a Texas-based TV station, owned by Sky News’ partner network NBC News, Jabbar’s younger half-brother said he was thinking about all those impacted by the attack.
Abdur-Rahim Jabbar said: “This is a tragedy. We’re all grieving about this.”
The suspect was a Muslim, with his sibling adding: “This wasn’t the man I knew. This wasn’t the father, the son that I knew.
“And that also, this isn’t any representation of Islam or Muslims or the Muslim community.”
A judge has ordered US president-elect Donald Trump to be sentenced next week in his New York hush money case – but has suggested he will not jail him.
In a surprise move, the sentencing has been set for 10 January, just 10 days before the presidential inauguration.
Trump‘s spokesperson called the case “lawless” and a “witch hunt” in a statement released after the date was announced.
He was found guilty in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records, relating to an alleged scheme to hide a hush money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels in the last weeks of his first campaign in 2016.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, has now confirmed sentencing will go ahead, but signalled in a written decision that he would hand down what is known as a conditional discharge, in which a case gets dismissed if a defendant avoids re-arrest.
The case centred on payments made to former adult actress Stormy Daniels. Pic: AP
“While this court as a matter of law must not make any determination on sentencing prior to giving the parties and defendants, opportunity to be heard, it seems proper at this juncture to make known the court’s inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentence authorised by the conviction but one the people concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation,” the judge said.
The development still puts Trump on course to be the first president to take office convicted of felony crimes.
Lawyers for the 78-year-old had pushed to dismiss the verdict and throw out the case on presidential immunity grounds, due to his impending return to the White House.
Judge Merchan rejected this argument, saying he found “no legal impediment to sentencing” and that it was “incumbent” on him to do so prior to the inauguration.
Trump has always denied a sexual encounter with Daniels, but was convicted of falsifying business records over a $130,000 (£102,000) payment to allegedly keep her from publicising claims in the lead up to the 2016 election.
Responding to the sentencing order, the president-elect’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, called the judge “deeply conflicted” and said the case was a “witch hunt” by the Manhattan district attorney.
“This lawless case should have never been brought and the constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” he said. “President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts.
“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
The president-elect has shaken off other legal cases following his win over Kamala Harris.
Prosecutors ended two federal cases over alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and claims he hoarded classified papers at his Florida estate.
A separate state case in Georgia – again over election interference claims – is largely on hold.
Mr Trump has denied the allegations in all the cases.
Drive an hour outside China’s commercial capital Shanghai, and you’ll reach Elon Musk’s Tesla gigafactory.
It manufactures almost one million Tesla cars a year and produces more than half of all its cars worldwide.
But with US president-elect Donald Trump preparing to move into the White House, the relationship between his best buddy Elon Musk and the leadership of China‘s Communist Party is in sharp focus.
Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory. Pic: Lex Ramsay
Shanghai has been the key to Tesla’s success, largely thanks to the city’s former Communist Party secretary, now China’s premier, Li Qiang.
Chief executive of Shanghai-based Auto Mobility Limited, Bill Russo, says: “Qiang is China’s number two person. His position in Shanghai made everything possible for Tesla.”
“In 2017, China adjusted its policy guidelines for the automotive industry to allow foreign companies to own their factories in China,” he added.
“Tesla signed its deal in 2018, broke ground in 2019, and started producing the Model 3 in 2020.”
The factory opened at breakneck speak and in record time.
In April, Musk met Li Qiang in Beijing, later posting on X: “Honoured to meet with Premier Li Qiang. We have known each other now for many years, since early Shanghai days.”
Elon Musk met Chinese premier Li Qiang in Beijing in April 2024. Pic: AP
The Musk-China ties go all the way to the top.
When China’s President Xi Jinping visited the US in November 2023, he met Musk, who posted “May there be prosperity for all” – echoing the language often used by China’s government.
Read more:
Farage meets Musk and Vance at Trump’s home
Tory co-chair accuses Musk of trying to ‘buy’ Reform UK
Inside a Tesla showroom in Shanghai. Pic: Lex Ramsay
Musk has previously weighed into the debate over the status of Taiwan. Two years ago, he suggested tensions could be eased by giving China some control over Taiwan.
This comment incensed Taiwan’s leaders.
Chinese commentator Einar Tangen, from the Taihe Institute in Beijing, says: “If Musk had said anything else, he could face action against the Shanghai plants. He’s not going to endanger that. He’s playing both sides for his own advantage.”
What’s in it for China?
Musk needs China, and in the months to come, China may need Musk.
He could act as a well-connected middleman between the Chinese Communist Party and Trump, in the face of a potential global trade war.
“Like it or not, we are living in a world where China is the dominant player in the race to an electric future,” says Russo.
Musk pioneered the EV industry in China, but is now struggling to compete with local car brands like BYD and Nio.
Elon Musk’s support helped propel Donald Trump to a second term in the White House. Pic: AP
The relationship between Musk and Trump could become volatile, but for now Musk stands to benefit.
“Donald Trump has never had a problem giving exceptions to friends,” Tangen says.
“It fits his personality, that he can grant pardons and give favours to the people and companies he chooses.”
Musk ‘the pioneer’
Musk is well regarded as a pioneer in China and most people speak of him highly.
Strolling along the Bund waterfront area in Shanghai, Benton Tang says: “Tesla really impacted the entire industry here.
“It pushed people to develop and improve the quality, the design and especially the price.”
Chinese vehicle manufacturers like BYD provide stiff competition for Tesla. Pic: Lex Ramsay
Interest in the Musk family has also gripped China’s online community.
His mother, Maye Musk, frequently visits the country, where she has a huge social media following as a senior-age celebrity fashion icon and endorses several Chinese products including a mattress brand.
Her book, A Woman Makes A Plan, has been translated into Chinese and is a bestseller here.
Maye Musk. Pic: Reuters
Meanwhile, as the countdown to Trump’s inauguration gains pace, the spotlight on the president-elect’s coterie of advisers intensifies.
In the middle of the glare is Elon Musk.
China waits to see what that will mean for them.
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