How Scary is Too Scary?

By: Ana Sofia Thiollier

When October 31st, the ‘spookiest’ holiday of the year comes around, most of us are happy to take and give some fun scares and call it a night. However, some people take this holiday just a bit too far… In this article, we will be looking at some examples of the scariest pranks that didn’t just take the victim’s breath away, but also took their lives. Whether you are looking for a tale to scare your friends on Halloween or just enjoy a little murder mystery, read on for some stories that might make you lose some sleep on the fateful night.  
 
Specialists have found that the crime rate in the US goes up by 17% on Halloween night, and some cases are downright scary. One of the most famous murders on Halloween is the case of the ‘Candy Man'. When an 8-year-old son came back from trick or treating, his father gave him the last piece of candy he would ever eat. The father had laced the candy with poison. In less than an hour, the child was dead. It was discovered that the father was in debt, and his solution for this was getting life insurance for his son, and then ending his life. This case has shaken parents for years because it proves that poisoned apples can come from anyone, not only from strangers. 
 
Another terrifying story is that of a trick that did not turn out well for the trickster or for the recipient of what should have been a harmless prank. When a bunch of teenagers egged his car, Karl Jackson was not pleased, but he may have reacted differently had he known this would be the last confrontation of his life. As he got out of his car to yell at them, one of them pulled out a gun, and suddenly a silly prank lost all its fun. Karl was shot in the head and died instantly. The teenager responsible received a sentence of 20 years in prison, and a letter from the victim’s mother each year on Halloween reading: “I’m glad you’re still there”.  
 
The last, and the most shaking story is that of a triple homicide. When Devon went home, he found his house quiet... eerily so. What he found upon investigation was his stepfather, not sleeping in his bed, but dead in it. When the police arrived, they discovered two more bodies: that of his mother and his brother. They discovered the murderer to be Devon’s stepbrother, who beat their brother, shot his father, and abused and shot his stepmother. The culprit died in prison 5 years later.  
 
These horrifying stories can show us that holidays are fun when done in moderation but can get downright bloody if you take it too far. Halloween is a time for satisfying your sweet tooth and dressing up with your friends. Giving people a scare is great fun if they are enjoying it too... So, if this article hasn’t scared you off too much, I would like to remind you all to close your doors on this fateful night and wish you all a happy Halloween!