Stuff You Should Know: The Tylenol Murders, Part I

Podcast: Stuff You Should Know
Hosts: Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant
Date: September 26, 2025
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into the infamous, unsolved Tylenol Murders that terrified the Chicago area in 1982 and changed the way Americans trust consumer products. Josh and Chuck detail the shocking string of deaths, the panic that followed, and the unprecedented investigation, in the first of a two-part true crime special.

Episode Overview

Josh and Chuck revisit the chilling true story of the Tylenol Murders, in which seven innocent people in the Chicago area died within days after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol. The tragedy triggered nationwide panic, transformed public safety standards, and remains unsolved. This first part lays out the context, the victims’ stories, early investigation efforts, and the mass hysteria and copycats that ensued.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage

• Nostalgia and Contextual Musings (03:28–07:05):
  • Josh and Chuck reminisce about pop culture and the general mood of 1982: a year marked by unease, airline disasters, notorious crimes, and growing public anxiety.
  • They reflect on how bad news dominated the TV evening news and shaped childhood fears.
  • Quote [07:05, Josh Clark]: “Nothing came close to taking over the national psyche like the deaths of seven people beginning on September 29, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois.”

Introducing "The Tylenol Murders"

• What Was Tylenol? (08:08–09:12):
  • The hosts explain Tylenol’s ubiquity, market dominance, and why “everyone took Tylenol for everything.”
  • Tylenol contained acetaminophen, considered gentler on the stomach than aspirin.
  • By 1982, it had 37% of the U.S. pain relief market.

The Murders Unfold

• Victim Narratives (09:12–17:14):

  • Marianne Kellerman: 12, died suddenly after taking Tylenol for a sore throat. [09:12–10:29]

  • Adam Janis: 27, died after taking Tylenol for chest pains. His death triggers further tragedy in his family. [10:35–11:34]

  • Mary Reiner: 27-year-old mother of four, recently postpartum, dies after taking Tylenol. [12:18–12:51]

  • Mary McFarland: 31, collapses at work after taking Tylenol for a headache. [12:51–14:07]

  • Stanley and Teresa Janis: Adam’s brother and sister-in-law die after taking Tylenol from Adam’s house while grieving, within minutes of each other. [14:07–15:45]

  • Paula Prince: 35, flight attendant, found dead with Tylenol bottle open, purchased the same day as previous deaths. [16:28–17:14]

  • Quote [10:41, Josh Clark]: “People don’t just drop dead, no matter what you see on TV or in the movies or whatever. Dropping dead inexplicably is a really biz when you’re a healthy person, it just doesn’t happen.”

Probing the Cause: The Cyanide Discovery

• Medical Investigation & Cyanide’s Horror (20:49–27:16):
  • Michael Schaefer, medical examiner, tests Marianne Kellerman’s Tylenol, discovers some capsules filled with 65 mg of potassium cyanide (lethal dose for adults: ~50 mg).
  • Cyanide’s mechanism: blocks cells’ ability to use oxygen, causing convulsions, bright red skin, and agony before death.
  • Quote [24:03, Josh Clark]: “Cyanide is no joke… It attaches to a protein called cytochrome C oxidase, and that’s about the worst protein it could go after. Because we really need cytochrome C oxidase to breathe.”
  • Quote [25:52, Chuck Bryant]: “You’re gasping for air, you’re breathing in air. Nothing’s happening… I can’t imagine anything more horrifying.”

How Did Authorities Realize It Was the Tylenol?

• Connecting the Dots (27:16–30:46):
  • Tylenol bottles are collected as evidence almost by chance.
  • Multiple figures credited with making the connection:
    • Fire captain Philip Cappotelli (prodded by friend of a victim’s mother)
    • Nurse Helen Jensen, public health nurse, who was ignored at first but persisted.
  • Within 36–48 hours the Tylenol link is widely acknowledged.
  • Quote [29:56, Josh Clark]: “Even though she was like a public health director, she was still a nurse and people wouldn’t listen to her.”

Public Panic & Immediate Response

• Chicago’s Warning, Nationwide Fear (30:46–34:59):
  • Cook County’s Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Edmund Donahue, gives a press conference telling the public to stop using Tylenol.
  • Mayor Jane Byrne orders flyers, police loudspeaker announcements, and a citywide awareness campaign.
  • Poison control centers are overwhelmed with calls.
  • 90% of Americans were aware of the Tylenol murders within a month.
  • Quote [31:54, Josh Clark]: “If you are still standing and talking to us, you’re probably okay.”

Copycat Crimes and Ripple Effects

• Tampering Epidemic (34:59–37:40):
  • Over 270 product tampering reports and at least 36 confirmed tampering cases nationwide followed the Tylenol deaths.
    • Products: other painkillers (Excedrin contaminated with mercuric chloride), nasal sprays, eye drops, food items.
  • Mass recalls, Halloween cancellations, and widespread public fear.
  • Quote [35:38, Chuck Bryant]: “The most chilling part of all this to me—may be the copycat stuff…36 people across the country that wanted to kill people and just saw an idea and were like, oh, that’s what I’ll do now.”

The Investigation Begins

• Law Enforcement Response (39:53–48:05):

  • Authorities quickly form the Tylenol Task Force (aka “TYMURS”).

  • Investigation expands to FBI, Illinois State Police, and FDA.

  • All tainted bottles traced to lot MC2880—but from multiple plants and sold at several independent stores, ruling out contamination at the factory level.

  • Leading theory: a “Mad Poisoner” bought Tylenol off the shelf, opened and adulterated the capsules with cyanide, resealed, and returned them to stores.

  • Quote [47:07, Josh Clark]: “The main theory for the Tylenol killings of 1982 in Chicago is the Mad Poisoner theory.”

Averted Tragedy and the Unfolding Mystery

• Near-Miss & End of Part I (48:44–49:13):
  • Another contaminated bottle is discovered; a woman is saved by her sister-in-law who suggests taking buffered aspirin instead.
  • Brings home the randomness and danger—unsuspecting, everyday victims narrowly escaping death.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Josh Clark [07:05]: “Nothing came close to taking over the national psyche like the deaths of seven people beginning on September 29, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois.”
• Chuck Bryant [10:41]: “People don’t just drop dead, no matter what you see on TV or in the movies or whatever. Dropping dead inexplicably is a really biz when you’re a healthy person, it just doesn’t happen.”
• Josh Clark [24:03]: “Cyanide is no joke… It’s a very small molecule… It’s about the worst protein that cyanide could attach itself to, because we really need cytochrome C oxidase to breathe.”
• Chuck Bryant [25:52]: “You’re gasping for air, you’re breathing in air. Nothing’s happening… I can’t imagine anything more horrifying.”
• Josh Clark [29:56]: “Even though she was like a public health director, she was still a nurse and people wouldn’t listen to her.”
• Josh Clark [34:59]: “That same product was now killing people.”
• Chuck Bryant [35:38]: “The most chilling part of all this to me—may be the copycat stuff.”
• Josh Clark [47:07]: “The main theory for the Tylenol killings of 1982 in Chicago is the Mad Poisoner theory.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:28–07:05: Setting historical context and atmosphere of 1982
• 09:12–17:14: Victim-by-victim breakdown of the seven deaths
• 20:49–27:16: Discovery of cyanide poisoning and its biological effects
• 27:16–30:46: Investigators begin linking deaths to Tylenol; role of key individuals
• 31:54–34:59: Nationwide panic, government/media response
• 34:59–37:40: Copycat crimes and tampering scare
• 39:53–48:05: Police investigative efforts and emerging theories
• 48:44–49:13: Story of a potential 8th victim narrowly escaping

Tone and Style

Josh and Chuck maintain their signature conversational, lightly irreverent, sensitive-yet-inquisitive tone. Personal asides, references to 1980s culture, and moments of levity are interspersed to make the grim subject more approachable, but they remain appropriately respectful to victims and the seriousness of the case.

Closing

The episode ends with the investigation at a crossroads, the “Mad Poisoner” theory emerging, and audiences left waiting for Part II. The broader aftermath—regulatory changes, further clues, and suspects—is deferred to the next installment.

For more on the Tylenol Murders, listen to Part II.