Alex Jones created the first conspiracy theory about the Sandy Hook murders shortly after the murders occurred in 2012. In 2014, he made an additional claim that nobody died and the victims were child actors. A number of people had provided him with proof that the murders were real, but he didn't recant or apologize until he was sued and it appeared he might lose a lot of money.

As to not ever saying it was a hoax and only suggesting it might be, I can't find the quotes. Can you find them at a reliable source?

The way conspiracy theorists get you to believe falsities is they suggest them because its harder for people who know the truth to sue them for a suggestion than it is for a lie. They suggest them loudly and often because they know that well-meaning and good people like yourself will believe them. We all tend to believe what we hear when it is loud and often stated.