The Chicago Tylenol Murders
Overview
The Chicago Tylenol murders were a series of seven fatal poisonings that occurred in the Chicago metropolitan area between September 29 and October 1, 1982. The victims died after swallowing Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules that had been deliberately contaminated with potassium cyanide, a fast-acting and highly lethal poison.
Although the crimes are frequently attributed to the "Tylenol killer" or described as the work of a serial killer, the person responsible has never been conclusively identified. No one has been charged with committing the seven murders, and the exact motive remains unknown. Investigators believe someone obtained bottles of Tylenol after they had left the manufacturer, opened the capsules, replaced some of the acetaminophen with cyanide and returned the altered bottles to store shelves.
The poisonings created nationwide fear because the victims had no apparent connection to one another, other than living in the Chicago area and using the same common pain medication. The killer did not need to approach the victims personally. Instead, ordinary consumers unknowingly carried the poisoned products into their homes.
The First Death
The crisis began during the early morning of September 29, 1982, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Twelve-year-old Mary Kellerman woke with symptoms of a cold, including a sore throat and a runny nose. Her parents gave her one Extra-Strength Tylenol capsule to relieve her discomfort.
Shortly afterward, Mary collapsed in the bathroom. Emergency personnel transported her to Alexian Brothers Medical Center, but doctors could not save her. She was pronounced dead that morning. At first, her sudden death appeared to be an isolated and unexplained medical emergency.
The bottle used by the Kellerman family was later found to contain capsules contaminated with cyanide. Mary was the youngest of the seven known victims.
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