The Weekly Gaucho Podcast, Episode 6
In this week’s episode of the Weekly Gaucho Podcast, Mykenzie Pollock welcomes us into October by sharing the true story of the 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murders.
On September 29, 1982, Mary Kellerman passed away suddenly in her home. This was only the beginning, as within the span of the next 72 hours, six other individuals would pass away under the same mysterious circumstances, all of this occurring within the Chicago metropolitan area. These seven individuals, including Mary Kellerman, Adam Janus, Stanley Janus, Theresa Janus, Mary Reiner, Mary McFarland, and Paula Prince had all suddenly died shortly after consuming Extra Strength Tylenol capsules.
After investigators realized every one of the deceased individuals had consumed the same kind of pill before their death, attention was turned towards the Tylenol bottles. After examination, it was confirmed that the Extra Strength Tylenol capsules each individual had consumed were laced with a lethal dose of Potassium Cyanide. Potassium Cyanide is a fact acting, highly toxic poison. It affects the body’s ability to take in and distribute oxygen, leading to symptoms like seizures and vomiting as the brain and circulatory system begin to become deprived of oxygen as the poison takes effect. Once authorities made this connection, they encouraged citizens to stay away from any and all Tylenol products for the time being. The laced Tylenol bottles were traced back to several different stores. It was there that more unpurchased bottles were found to have cyanide pills within them as well. Panic ensued amongst the public. This situation would lead to a nationwide recall of Tylenol and the invention of tamper proof packaging for medications.
Although there has been much speculation and many theories as to who may be responsible or why they did what they did, the 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murder case remains unsolved to this day.
Sources:
Sound Effects:
https://freesound.org/people/jammaj/sounds/408978
https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_6718832/sounds/365255
https://freesound.org/people/ryanharding95/sounds/272439
https://freesound.org/people/sportygurl37/sounds/120213
Information Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cbs-2-vault-the-tylenol-poisonings-30-years-later
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/chapter/edited-volume/abs/pii/B9780128222188000272
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982
https://www.wttw.com/chicago-stories/inside-the-tylenol-murders/who-committed-the-tylenol-murders
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/this-day-in-history-cyanide-tylenol-chicago-mass-murder-1982/41429036
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750037.html
https://thriveworks.com/help-with/grief-loss/physical-symptoms-of-grief
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/1982-tylenol-poisoning-murders-janus-family
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