A longstanding Halloween custom turned into a horrifying reality for a young boy as he fell victim to a tragic incident involving poisoned candy. The act of trick or treating, a beloved tradition during the spooky season, took a dark turn when a father poisoned sherbet straws with cyanide, resulting in the death of his own son.
Ronald Clark O’Bryan, known as the ‘Candy Man,’ was a respected member of the Deer Park, Texas community, serving as a deacon at the local baptist church and leading a seemingly normal life with his family. However, behind his facade of normalcy, O’Bryan was struggling with significant financial troubles, being burdened with a substantial debt.
In a shocking turn of events on October 31, 1974, O’Bryan laced Pixy Stix sherbet straws with deadly potassium cyanide. Under the guise of taking his children, along with a neighbor and their kids, for trick or treating, O’Bryan distributed the poisoned treats to unsuspecting children. Tragedy struck when his own son, Timothy, consumed the tainted candy and quickly fell ill, ultimately succumbing to the effects of the poison.
Despite initial attempts to deflect suspicion by claiming the poisoned treats came from an unknown source, O’Bryan’s elaborate alibi crumbled under investigation. It was revealed that he had amassed a significant debt and had taken out substantial life insurance policies on his children, including a significant increase in coverage shortly before Timothy’s death.
O’Bryan was swiftly charged with murder and attempted murder, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. However, overwhelming evidence led to his conviction and subsequent sentencing to death, a verdict reached within a remarkably short time by the jury.
Before his execution in 1984, O’Bryan continued to deny his culpability, perpetuating a narrative of an unknown poisoner in the community. He expressed forgiveness towards those involved in his fate and sought reconciliation with those he may have wronged, leaving behind a message of love and forgiveness to his loved ones.