The phrase identifies a specific individual, Ronald Clark O’Bryan, who was convicted of poisoning his son with cyanide-laced Halloween candy in 1974. The incident led to widespread public fear and altered Halloween traditions in the United States. O’Bryan sought to collect life insurance money on his son’s death.
The case underscores the potential for isolated acts of extreme violence to impact societal norms and perceptions of safety. It resulted in heightened awareness regarding product tampering and influenced stricter laws related to consumer product safety. The event remains a significant example in criminology and the psychology of criminal behavior, showing the extremes to which individuals may go for financial gain.
