Seven died from cyanide-laced Tylenol in 1982, case remains unsolved
In September 1982, seven people near Chicago died after taking Tylenol capsules that had been laced with cyanide after leaving the factory.
12-year-old Mary Kellerman took extra-strength Tylenol for a cold near Chicago in September 1982 and died hours later. Then three members of the Janus family died after taking capsules from another bottle. Firefighter Philip Capitelli and nurse Helen Jensen connected the deaths.
Cyanide discovered in capsules
Tests found cyanide inside the capsules. Stores cleared their shelves. Authorities issued warnings.
Police traced the tampering to after the bottles left the manufacturer. Seven people had now died after taking medicine from store shelves. An ordinary bottle was at the center of a national murder investigation.
Investigation leads nowhere
Investigators followed the poisoned bottles and confronted a suspect who demanded money without admitting murder. But police never charged anyone with the killings.
