The Lost Boys
In December 1970 two teenagers disappeared from the Heights neighborhood, in Houston. Then another and another and another. As the number of missing kids grew, no one realized that the most prolific serial killer the country had ever seen—along with his teenage accomplices—was living comfortably among them. Or that the mystery of what happened to so many of his victims would haunt the city to this day.
9 comments
Monday, April 30th, 2012, 8:10 pm
Sandi says:
I can only imagine how helpless these parents must have felt when they went to the police for help and were turned away. I know this was before computers, the internet, and Amber Alerts, and yet it is hard to believe that the people you are to go to for help, wouldn’t help! I pray that this article creates some pressure for HPD to reopen this case to bring some closure for these families.
Friday, July 8th, 2011, 5:53 pm
cran says:
The heights community needs to be reminded of these boys. This is important history that need to be not forgotten in the gentrification that is running through the neighborhood. These boys deserve a memorial. Right on Heights Avenue. Cherished and loved boys who didn’t deserve their fate or to be forgotten.
Thursday, March 31st, 2011, 12:44 pm
Kenny says:
Incredible writing! I was shock to hear of the story of the serial killer(s) in 1970’s Houston. And I agree with GaryH, don’t read this before you go to bed. When I finished reading the article, I kissed and hugged my two infant sons... and made D*MNED sure the doors were locked! No. Really.
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011, 7:34 pm
Ryan says:
Absolutely riveting story. My heart goes out to the victims and their families.. There are no words. I’m sure there are undiscovered victims and someone needs to look into this. The past incompetence of the police cannot be undone, but someone needs to step up and finally close this case for good.
As far as Dean Corll is concerned, how is it possible for one seemingly mild mannered individual to contain an almost limitless capacity for cruelty, sadism and selfishness? Perhaps we’ll never know.. What became of his mother?
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011, 3:40 pm
Michael says:
Great article, Skip. It is never too late to tell the truth about such a horrific event. Yes, it makes the Houston PD AND HISD look incompetent to let this gone on for such a long time.
The part of the story regarding the discarded license number of Corll was a terrible mistake.
With reading the story, I could tell you put a great deal of work into your investigation (as is usually the case).
Thanks for helping to somewhat close the book on this terrible incident.
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011, 7:17 pm
Sheila Whitman says:
Skip-It could not have been told any better than how you did it. It saddens me! How could we as a FREE people and I like to think as a whole a God fearing people just turn our heads. These boys were deprived of a life. Their families have suffered until death in most cases just trying to live down such a horriffic thing. Shouldn’t we come to their rescue? Yes! It is indeed late. It was too late when officials turned a dead ear to folks inquiring about their children. I pary that if at all possible this case will be re-opened and then see what will be. Perhaps, "the truth will set many free"
Monday, March 28th, 2011, 11:08 pm
L. Fox says:
Considering the botched investigation, the case should be reopened to link missing boys to any remaining skeletal remains. The state of Texas, and the city of Houston owe this to the victims and their families. Forensic recoveries and investigations have improved considerably since the 1970s. We owe a good deal of thanks to forensic anthropologist Sharon Derrick and others who have devoted long hours and painstaking research to helping loved ones reach closure. Skip Hollandsworth did an absolutely phenomenal job in this story; let’s hope this will invigorate law enforcement to reinvestigate this case.
Monday, March 28th, 2011, 3:09 pm
Laura Wimberly says:
I was 14 in 1973 and living in Brownsville. I remember the news story from television. I also recall seeing the grim scenes of the police digging on the beach. This story made an impression on me. I had never heard of anything like that before. I can understand how this happened because we were so innocent at that time. Kids played up an down the street after dark as a norm. Doors weren’t locked during the day. Kids were hitchhiking. We were just more free. I was asking my husband about 2 months ago if he remembered the case. I even went so far as to look it up on the internet. I have never forgotten.
Saturday, March 26th, 2011, 6:53 am
GaryH says:
I can’t believe I had never heard of Dean Corll and his macabre exploits before now. Skip has produced a very well written, chilling account of a Texas serial killer, however I wouldn’t recommend reading it just before bedtime as I did. I was not surprised to learn that this animal was not stopped sooner because the crimes occurred before the modern technology era of forensic DNA analysis and internet communication. However, I was surprised to learn that the crimes must have also taken place before the era of competent investigation by Houston law enforcement.
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