The Candyman: An Origin Story

Razors in apple, poison in candy, strangers hurting children.... OH MY! Everyone knows that halloween candy can be poisoned and why is it that?? Turns out it is all because of an urban legend ANDDDDD this guy. Its halloween in 1974 and 8 year old Timothy O'Bryan hits the streets for the trick or treat excitement, but what happened when he came home was something never expected that caused waves of fear to overwhelm all parents on halloween night... even today.Sources:Associated Press. (1975, June 4). Texas jury sentences man to die in Halloween poisoning. Associated Press Archives.Associated Press. (1984, March 31). “Candy Man” executed for son’s 1974 Halloween poisoning. Associated Press Archives.Best, J. (1985). The myth of the Halloween sadist. Society, 22(5), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02695540Best, J. (1990). Threatened children: Rhetoric and concern about child-victims. University of Chicago Press.Harris County District Court. (1975). State of Texas v. Ronald Clark O’Bryan, No. 75-CR-____ (Harris County, TX).Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (1984). Execution report: Ronald Clark O’Bryan. Huntsville, TX.Time. (1974, November 11). Murder on Halloween. Time Magazine Archives.United Press International. (1974, November 2). Boy dies after eating Halloween candy. UPI Archives.United Press International. (1975, June 3). Texas man convicted in Halloween cyanide case. UPI Archives.