Accountability.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole to Elmer Wayne Henley on November 7, 2025, and imposed a 10-year set-off before his next review, according to reporting from KPRC 2 in Houston. The decision means his next parole review is expected in 2035.
This article has been corrected to clearly identify the 2025 decision date. The parole denial was not a new July 2026 development.
Background
Henley is serving six concurrent life sentences for six murders connected to the Houston Mass Murders committed between 1970 and 1973. He was convicted again in 1979 after an earlier conviction was overturned on appeal.
Henley worked with Dean Corll and David Brooks in crimes involving the abduction and killing of boys and young men. Henley later shot and killed Corll in August 1973 and directed police to locations where victims had been buried. He has repeatedly been denied parole.
Parole decision
Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers of Houston told KPRC 2 that he received notice from TDCJ confirming the denial and the 10-year set-off. Relatives of victims and victim advocates opposed Henley’s release.
Henley previously sought medical or compassionate release in 2022. That request was also denied.