David Owen Brooks
Houston Mass Murders Accomplice
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Houston, Texas
TIME PERIOD
1970-1973
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
David Owen Brooks, born February 12, 1955, in Houston, Texas, was a convicted accomplice in the Houston Mass Murders, a series of killings that occurred between December 13, 1970, and August 3, 1973. He was apprehended on August 9, 1973, after the murder of 15-year-old William Ray Lawrence, for which he was tried and convicted in February 1975, receiving a life sentence on March 4, 1975. Brooks confessed to assisting in the abduction and burial of victims but denied direct involvement in their murders, which were orchestrated by Dean Corll, his accomplice, who was killed by another associate, Elmer Wayne Henley. Brooks died from COVID-19 complications on May 28, 2020, in Galveston, Texas, having served 45 years of his life sentence, while the Houston Mass Murders remain one of the most notorious serial murder cases in U.S. history.
David Owen Brooks is believed to have acted primarily out of self-preservation and financial gain, with some speculation surrounding possible sadistic tendencies. There is a theory that his involvement with Dean Corll was driven by a fear of retribution, as Corll was known to be violent. Additionally, some believe that Brooks may have had knowledge of more victims than he confessed to, raising questions about the full extent of the Houston Mass Murders.
The Troubling Tale of David Owen Brooks
A Conspirator in Darkness
David Owen Brooks, born on February 12, 1955, in Houston, Texas, would become an infamous name tethered to the chilling chapter of American crime history known as the Houston Mass Murders. These heinous acts, occurring between 1970 and 1973, rattled the communities of Houston and Pasadena, Texas. Brooks was convicted in 1975 for his role in the murder of one of the twenty-nine known victims, a 15-year-old boy named William Ray Lawrence. His life sentence began on March 4 of that year, but despite appeals, the conviction was upheld in May 1979. Brooks spent the remainder of his life behind bars, ultimately succumbing to COVID-19 complications on May 28, 2020, at the age of 65 in a Galveston hospital.
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
David Owen Brooks's life began in Houston, where he was the second son of Henry Alton and Mary Hetherington Brooks. His parents' divorce when he was just six set the stage for a turbulent childhood. His mother, a nurse, moved to Beaumont and later to Tioga, Louisiana, while his father, a World War II veteran, stayed in Houston. Despite the separation, Brooks maintained contact with his father, stepmother, and half-sister, visiting them during holidays and summers.
In his early teens, Brooks's life veered off course. Following a petty theft incident involving a potbelly stove, a local sheriff advised Brooks to return to Houston to live with his father. Brooks's mother agreed, and he moved back to Houston in 1970 at the age of 15. His relationship with his father was strained, with frequent clashes marking their time together. Brooks's academic performance suffered as well, with grades plummeting from A's, B's, and C's to D's and F's. He eventually dropped out of Waltrip High School after just one year.
Enticement by Dean Corll
Brooks's life took a dark turn when, in 1967, he befriended Dean Corll, the vice-president of his family's candy company located across from Helms Elementary School. Corll was known for giving candy to local children, a gesture that earned him the nickname "the Candy Man." At 12, Brooks became one of Corll's youthful companions, frequently socializing and joining him on trips to South Texas beaches.
Corll became a father figure to Brooks, offering him money and gifts, including a motorcycle ride and movie outings. This companionship provided Brooks a refuge from his fraught home life. By 1969, their relationship had turned sexual, with Corll paying Brooks to perform sexual acts. Brooks later clarified that it was always Corll initiating these encounters.
The Grim Realization
In November 1970, Brooks stumbled upon a horrifying scene at Corll's newly rented apartment: two teenagers, unknown to him, were restrained on a four-poster bed. Startled, Corll brushed it off as "having some fun" and persuaded Brooks to keep silent. In return, Corll gifted Brooks a green 1969 Chevrolet Corvette for his sixteenth birthday in February 1971.
Later, Corll confessed to Brooks that the two boys he had seen were murdered. Brooks, lured by the promise of $200, began assisting Corll in abducting boys, targeting those who would not be missed by their families.
A Catalogue of Murder
1970: The Yorktown Apartment Murders
Brooks's first known participation in Corll's gruesome deeds occurred on December 13, 1970. He lured James Eugene Glass and Danny Michael Yates, both 14, from a religious rally to Corll's apartment. There, they were restrained, raped, and murdered, their bodies buried in a Southwest Houston boat shed. An electrical cord with alligator clips was found with Yates's body.
1971: The Mangum Road Murders
On January 30, 1971, Brooks and Corll encountered brothers Donald and Jerry Waldrop. They were abducted, raped, and strangled before being buried in the same boat shed. Another victim, Randell Lee Harvey, was killed by a gunshot through the eye on March 9 and buried alongside the others.
Further Abductions and Murders
Between May and August 1971, Brooks helped abduct and murder at least four more victims. Among them were David William Hilligiest and Gregory Malley Winkle, killed on May 29, and Donald John Falcon, who disappeared on July 1. These victims were all buried in the boat shed.
The Unidentified Victim
In October 1971, Brooks witnessed the abduction of an unidentified boy. This victim was kept for several days before being murdered, a murder that deeply disturbed Corll.
Meeting Elmer Wayne Henley
Brooks's life intertwined with Elmer Wayne Henley in October 1971. Meeting by chance while skipping school, the two became companions. Henley, coming from a broken home and working to support his family, was curious about Brooks's apparent affluence. Brooks introduced him to Corll, and Henley soon found himself intrigued yet suspicious of Corll's intentions.
Brooks and Corll once attempted to lure Henley into their deadly fold, but Henley became wary upon seeing Corll brandishing a hunting knife. This encounter marked a turning point, eventually leading to Corll's demise and the unraveling of the Houston Mass Murders.
Conclusion
The story of David Owen Brooks is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. His involvement in the Houston Mass Murders, alongside Dean Corll and Elmer Wayne Henley, left a lasting scar on the Texas communities affected by their crimes. Brooks's life concluded behind prison walls, a testament to the justice sought for the lives tragically taken during those years of terror.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murders Committed
David Brooks lures two teenagers, James Glass and Danny Yates, to Dean Corll's apartment where they are raped and murdered.
Corll Killed
Elmer Wayne Henley shoots Dean Corll in self-defense, leading to the discovery of multiple bodies.
Brooks Confesses
David Brooks presents himself to police and begins confessing his knowledge of the murders.
Bodies Discovered
Brooks assists police in locating the bodies of victims buried at High Island Beach.
Indictments Issued
A grand jury convenes, indicting Brooks and Henley for multiple murders.
Trial Begins
David Brooks's trial for the murder of William Ray Lawrence begins in Houston.
Brooks Convicted
David Brooks is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Appeal Denied
Brooks's appeal against his conviction is denied by the court.
Brooks Dies
David Brooks dies of COVID-19 related complications while serving his life sentence.
David Owen Brooks, born February 12, 1955, in Houston, Texas, was a convicted accomplice in the Houston Mass Murders, a series of killings that occurred between December 13, 1970, and August 3, 1973. He was apprehended on August 9, 1973, after the murder of 15-year-old William Ray Lawrence, for which he was tried and convicted in February 1975, receiving a life sentence on March 4, 1975. Brooks confessed to assisting in the abduction and burial of victims but denied direct involvement in their murders, which were orchestrated by Dean Corll, his accomplice, who was killed by another associate, Elmer Wayne Henley. Brooks died from COVID-19 complications on May 28, 2020, in Galveston, Texas, having served 45 years of his life sentence, while the Houston Mass Murders remain one of the most notorious serial murder cases in U.S. history.
David Owen Brooks is believed to have acted primarily out of self-preservation and financial gain, with some speculation surrounding possible sadistic tendencies. There is a theory that his involvement with Dean Corll was driven by a fear of retribution, as Corll was known to be violent. Additionally, some believe that Brooks may have had knowledge of more victims than he confessed to, raising questions about the full extent of the Houston Mass Murders.
The Troubling Tale of David Owen Brooks
A Conspirator in Darkness
David Owen Brooks, born on February 12, 1955, in Houston, Texas, would become an infamous name tethered to the chilling chapter of American crime history known as the Houston Mass Murders. These heinous acts, occurring between 1970 and 1973, rattled the communities of Houston and Pasadena, Texas. Brooks was convicted in 1975 for his role in the murder of one of the twenty-nine known victims, a 15-year-old boy named William Ray Lawrence. His life sentence began on March 4 of that year, but despite appeals, the conviction was upheld in May 1979. Brooks spent the remainder of his life behind bars, ultimately succumbing to COVID-19 complications on May 28, 2020, at the age of 65 in a Galveston hospital.
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
David Owen Brooks's life began in Houston, where he was the second son of Henry Alton and Mary Hetherington Brooks. His parents' divorce when he was just six set the stage for a turbulent childhood. His mother, a nurse, moved to Beaumont and later to Tioga, Louisiana, while his father, a World War II veteran, stayed in Houston. Despite the separation, Brooks maintained contact with his father, stepmother, and half-sister, visiting them during holidays and summers.
In his early teens, Brooks's life veered off course. Following a petty theft incident involving a potbelly stove, a local sheriff advised Brooks to return to Houston to live with his father. Brooks's mother agreed, and he moved back to Houston in 1970 at the age of 15. His relationship with his father was strained, with frequent clashes marking their time together. Brooks's academic performance suffered as well, with grades plummeting from A's, B's, and C's to D's and F's. He eventually dropped out of Waltrip High School after just one year.
Enticement by Dean Corll
Brooks's life took a dark turn when, in 1967, he befriended Dean Corll, the vice-president of his family's candy company located across from Helms Elementary School. Corll was known for giving candy to local children, a gesture that earned him the nickname "the Candy Man." At 12, Brooks became one of Corll's youthful companions, frequently socializing and joining him on trips to South Texas beaches.
Corll became a father figure to Brooks, offering him money and gifts, including a motorcycle ride and movie outings. This companionship provided Brooks a refuge from his fraught home life. By 1969, their relationship had turned sexual, with Corll paying Brooks to perform sexual acts. Brooks later clarified that it was always Corll initiating these encounters.
The Grim Realization
In November 1970, Brooks stumbled upon a horrifying scene at Corll's newly rented apartment: two teenagers, unknown to him, were restrained on a four-poster bed. Startled, Corll brushed it off as "having some fun" and persuaded Brooks to keep silent. In return, Corll gifted Brooks a green 1969 Chevrolet Corvette for his sixteenth birthday in February 1971.
Later, Corll confessed to Brooks that the two boys he had seen were murdered. Brooks, lured by the promise of $200, began assisting Corll in abducting boys, targeting those who would not be missed by their families.
A Catalogue of Murder
1970: The Yorktown Apartment Murders
Brooks's first known participation in Corll's gruesome deeds occurred on December 13, 1970. He lured James Eugene Glass and Danny Michael Yates, both 14, from a religious rally to Corll's apartment. There, they were restrained, raped, and murdered, their bodies buried in a Southwest Houston boat shed. An electrical cord with alligator clips was found with Yates's body.
1971: The Mangum Road Murders
On January 30, 1971, Brooks and Corll encountered brothers Donald and Jerry Waldrop. They were abducted, raped, and strangled before being buried in the same boat shed. Another victim, Randell Lee Harvey, was killed by a gunshot through the eye on March 9 and buried alongside the others.
Further Abductions and Murders
Between May and August 1971, Brooks helped abduct and murder at least four more victims. Among them were David William Hilligiest and Gregory Malley Winkle, killed on May 29, and Donald John Falcon, who disappeared on July 1. These victims were all buried in the boat shed.
The Unidentified Victim
In October 1971, Brooks witnessed the abduction of an unidentified boy. This victim was kept for several days before being murdered, a murder that deeply disturbed Corll.
Meeting Elmer Wayne Henley
Brooks's life intertwined with Elmer Wayne Henley in October 1971. Meeting by chance while skipping school, the two became companions. Henley, coming from a broken home and working to support his family, was curious about Brooks's apparent affluence. Brooks introduced him to Corll, and Henley soon found himself intrigued yet suspicious of Corll's intentions.
Brooks and Corll once attempted to lure Henley into their deadly fold, but Henley became wary upon seeing Corll brandishing a hunting knife. This encounter marked a turning point, eventually leading to Corll's demise and the unraveling of the Houston Mass Murders.
Conclusion
The story of David Owen Brooks is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. His involvement in the Houston Mass Murders, alongside Dean Corll and Elmer Wayne Henley, left a lasting scar on the Texas communities affected by their crimes. Brooks's life concluded behind prison walls, a testament to the justice sought for the lives tragically taken during those years of terror.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murders Committed
David Brooks lures two teenagers, James Glass and Danny Yates, to Dean Corll's apartment where they are raped and murdered.
Corll Killed
Elmer Wayne Henley shoots Dean Corll in self-defense, leading to the discovery of multiple bodies.
Brooks Confesses
David Brooks presents himself to police and begins confessing his knowledge of the murders.
Bodies Discovered
Brooks assists police in locating the bodies of victims buried at High Island Beach.
Indictments Issued
A grand jury convenes, indicting Brooks and Henley for multiple murders.
Trial Begins
David Brooks's trial for the murder of William Ray Lawrence begins in Houston.
Brooks Convicted
David Brooks is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Appeal Denied
Brooks's appeal against his conviction is denied by the court.
Brooks Dies
David Brooks dies of COVID-19 related complications while serving his life sentence.