Remembering the Tylenol murders 40 years later
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Three Tylenol poisoning victims, all from the same family, were buried in suburban Niles on Oct. 10, 1982. The victims were Stanley Janus and Adam Janus, and Stanley Janus' wife, Theresa Janus. Photo: Bettmann Archives/Getty Images
Today is the 40th anniversary of the first of the Tylenol murders.
What happened: Seven people died after ingesting cyanide-laced pills from Tylenol bottles bought in local drugstores.
- The murders led to a nationwide panic and recall that later prompted drug companies to create safety-seal packaging.
- The killer was never caught.
Yes, but: Investigators are urging prosecutors to take another look at longtime suspect all these years later, according to the Tribune.
- They're pointing to former Chicago resident James Lewis, who was convicted of extortion after he sent a letter to Tylenol parent company Johnson & Johnson demanding $1 million to stop the killings.
- But there is no physical evidence linking Lewis to the crime, and he has always denied the allegations.
Worthy of your time: The Tribune is exploring this anniversary with an eight-part podcast hosted by investigative reporters Christy Gutowski and Stacy St. Clair.
