Katharina Buczek
She was promptly arrested by authorities but, when questioned, claimed the “treats” were a joke. In fact, Helen said she only gave out the inedible items to older children who she believed should not have been trick-or-treating.
And even though no kids were ever harmed, law enforcement and the public did not take the “joke” lightly.
Then, on October 31, 1974, a Halloween candy poisoning committed by Ronald O’Bryan of Texas did sadly prove fatal. Ronald distributed pixie sticks laced with cyanide to five children, including his eight-year-old son.
The other children never ended up eating the pixie sticks. However, Ronald’s son did– and he tragically died afterward.
And upon investigation, authorities learned that Ronald had taken out life insurance policies on his children just before Halloween. In turn, he was found guilty of murder, and tales of the “Candyman” murder have continued to haunt parents everywhere to this day.
However, other more recent rumors of Halloween wrongdoing– including apples containing razor blades and candy injected with a poison– have never been corroborated.
So, with Halloween just over a month away, parents can keep in mind that cases of treat tampering are few and far between.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe
The Terrifying True Tale Of The Real Annabelle Doll And What Her Reign Of Terror Looked Like
