Into The Dark Podcast, Ep. 144: "The Candyman Killer"
Host: Payton Moreland
Date: November 5, 2025
Main Theme:
A deep dive into the tragic, unsolved murder of Ruthie Mae McCoy—a vulnerable woman living in Chicago public housing—whose real-life ordeal became the inspiration for the horror film Candyman. The episode explores mental health, systemic neglect, flawed investigations, and the chilling intersection of urban legends and real-life horror.
Episode Overview
Payton Moreland guides listeners through the heartbreaking life and murder of Ruthie Mae McCoy, exploring how mental illness, poverty, and neglected public systems left her dangerously exposed. The episode not only reconstructs the true events but also reflects on justice, the failures of society and law enforcement, and the cautionary truth behind horror fiction.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ruthie Mae’s Challenging Life & Mental Health
-
Early hardships:
- Born into a large, poor, Black family in Arkansas, then relocated to Chicago for better prospects (03:00).
- Faced overwhelming discrimination and poverty during the 1930s and 40s.
-
Mental health struggles:
- Dropped out of high school, began displaying signs of mental illness in young adulthood (04:30).
- Symptoms included severe paranoia, hallucinations, unpredictable outbursts, and social withdrawal.
- Multiple failed attempts at securing a proper diagnosis or care due to the era’s inadequate mental health understanding.
-
Motherhood & isolation:
- Became a single mother after her boyfriend left (06:00).
- Continued cycles of hospitalizations, leaving her daughter with relatives each time.
- Struggled to maintain employment and social relationships.
“She wore a heavy winter coat on hot summer days and often went out to lie down in the snow in the middle of winter.” — Payton Moreland, 04:50
2. Life in Abbott Homes: Isolation and Vulnerability
-
Subsidized housing:
- By 1983, Ruthie Mae, unable to afford rent, secured an apartment in the notorious Abbott Homes high rise (07:50).
- Conditions described as unsafe, unsanitary, and poorly maintained.
-
Social environment:
- Residents included vulnerable individuals and those engaged in criminal activity.
- Ruthie Mae became increasingly reclusive and her paranoia worsened.
-
Attempts at social connection:
- Ruthie Mae checked neighbors’ doorknobs and cars, trying to warn them to lock up rather than seeking to steal, motivated by fear for their safety (10:00).
3. A Brief Glimmer of Hope
-
Breakthrough in mental health care:
- Finally diagnosed with residual type schizophrenia after a hospital visit in 1986 (12:00).
- Began therapy, established a support network, and received government assistance (SSI).
-
Improved finances:
- Received a substantial welfare payment, bought necessities, and started saving toward moving out (15:00).
- Unwittingly fell victim to scams, giving money to fake “charities”—warnings from her daughter unheeded.
“Her top goal was to move out of Abbott Homes and into a better apartment. So she was trying to set aside enough money to cover a deposit and first month's rent at a new place.” — Payton, 16:55
4. The Day Everything Changed: Ruthie Mae’s Murder
- Mysterious 911 call:
- On April 22, 1987, Ruthie called 911 in distress, making cryptic statements about people breaking through her bathroom cabinet (18:45).
“Some people next door are totally tearing this down... They want to come through the bathroom.” — Ruthie Mae McCoy (quoted by Payton, 19:00)
-
Police response and failures:
- Police sent to Abbott Homes, but did not force entry due to uncertainty and procedural caution—even after a second call reported gunshots (19:45).
- Multiple wellness checks requested by friends go unheeded over the following days.
-
Discovery of Ruthie’s body:
- After two days, the landlord drilled into the door and discovered Ruthie murdered, shot four times (23:30).
- Evidence of robbery; missing TV, rocking chair, phone, and possibly her welfare money.
5. Flawed Investigation & Overlooked Evidence
- Missed clues:
- Detectives assumed the killer was someone Ruthie Mae knew; undervalued her 911 statements.
- Chicago Reader reporter revealed a crucial detail: the building’s medicine cabinets opened into maintenance crawl spaces, allowing easy, secret access between units (26:00).
“Basically, anyone in the building could easily break into another unit if they knew about the medicine cabinet trick. And the people in Abbott Homes definitely knew about the medicine cabinet trick.” — Payton, 27:20
-
Repeated break-ins via medicine cabinet:
- Not a unique event—many tenants had fallen victim.
- Ruthie Mae’s own cabinet was already damaged from a prior break-in; the opening left unrepaired for months.
-
Critical timeline errors:
- Her phone rang during initial police visits, but was missing later—suggesting the killer may have returned multiple times or never left at all (29:45).
- Police failure to act may have allowed the killer to escape and remove evidence.
6. Suspects, Trial & Lack of Justice
-
John Hondrus and Edward Turner identified:
- Both known to use the crawl spaces for break-ins, linked by resident testimony (32:10).
-
Eyewitness (Tim Brown) recants:
- Initial statement implicated John & Edward, but in court Tim Brown claimed police coerced his testimony (36:00).
- Jury acquitted both men due to lack of physical evidence and the star witness’s reversal.
-
Justice denied:
- Ruthie Mae’s family left without closure, unsure what to believe themselves.
- No new suspects identified; case remains unsolved.
“It's impossible to say if John or Edward were really involved. After all, the police had not done a very good job of earning anyone's trust during this investigation.” — Payton, 37:20
7. Legacy and Pop Culture
-
Real-life inspiration for horror:
- Ruthie Mae’s story inspired the urban legend and film Candyman, but Payton emphasizes the importance of focusing on fact over fiction (40:00).
-
Societal failures:
- Systemic neglect by law enforcement and landlords.
- “Everyone deserves justice, including Ruthie Mae.” (41:30)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Ruthie Mae’s paranoia and effort to help others:
“She wasn't trying to steal. She wasn't trying to harass. She was scared. She wanted these people to protect themselves.” — Payton Moreland (10:30)
-
The chilling 911 call:
“They throwed the cabinet down. They want to come through the bathroom.” — Ruthie Mae (19:00), quoted by Payton highlighting the literal horror of her final moments.
-
On the medicine cabinet crawl space:
“Some residents actually relieved themselves in buckets because they were so uncomfortable using their bathroom, given that it wasn't really private.” — Payton (28:30)
-
On the trial’s failure:
“Basically, this entire trial stands on him [Tim Brown], but on the stand he changes his story.” — Payton (36:25)
-
On Ruthie Mae’s memory:
“Everyone deserves justice, including Ruthie Mae. And while her loved ones wait for it, the best we can do is remember her and keep telling her story.” — Payton (41:30)
Key Timestamps
- 03:00 — Ruthie Mae’s early life in Arkansas and move to Chicago
- 04:50 — Emerging mental illness and early symptoms
- 07:50 — Moving into Abbott Homes and its conditions
- 12:00 — Schizophrenia diagnosis
- 15:00 — Receiving welfare payment and unfortunate scams
- 18:45 — Ruthie Mae's urgent but misunderstood 911 call
- 23:30 — Discovery of Ruthie Mae's body
- 26:00 — Revealing the medicine cabinet crawlspace flaw
- 29:45 — Timeline of the missing phone; crucial investigative errors
- 32:10 — Identification of suspects
- 36:00 — Tim Brown’s testimony reversal
- 37:20 — Family’s uncertainty and persisting injustice
- 40:00 — Pop culture inspiration and focus on truth
- 41:30 — Closing thoughts on justice for Ruthie Mae
Conclusion
Ep. 144 masterfully combines true crime storytelling with reflective social commentary. Payton Moreland uncovers not just the facts of Ruthie Mae McCoy’s murder, but the deep systemic issues that left her unseen and unprotected. The episode warns of the chilling overlap between real horror and urban legend, reminding listeners that behind every scary story are real people who deserve justice and remembrance.