Do you remember the man who killed Halloween 50 years ago? Story of Houston’s own real-life Candy Man

DEER PARK, Texas – As Halloween descends upon us Thursday, the spooky story of Ronald Clark O’Bryan, infamously known as “The Candy Man,” casts a long shadow over the festivities – like trick-or-treating.

This chilling story, revisited in KPRC 2 Investigates’ 2022 documentary series “The Evidence Room,” reminded us of an event that once shook the nation to its core.

On a fateful Halloween night in 1974, O’Bryan gave his son and four other children Pixy Stix candies laced with cyanide. The tragic poisoning resulted in the death of his son and caused widespread panic, forever changing the way Americans approach Halloween trick-or-treating traditions.

The investigation that followed revealed that O’Bryan was a desperate and greedy individual, willing to sacrifice his son for personal gain. His actions led to an infamous trial, in which prosecutor Vic Driscoll described O’Bryan as “deprived of the truth and driven by selfish motives.”

Despite being convicted and sentenced to death, O’Bryan never admitted his guilt.

In his final statement before his execution in 1984, he maintained his innocence, calling the execution a mistake, but expressing forgiveness to those involved in his case.

As children wear their costumes and knock on doors tonight, the terrifying legacy of “The Candy Man” lingers.

This story not only marks a dark chapter in history, but also serves as a cautionary tale that continues to influence Halloween safety practices today.

This afternoon at 5 p.m., KPRC 2 Investigates Reporter Robert Arnold talks with a man who has spent decades researching the impact O’Bryan left on the Houston area and the tradition of trick-or-treating.