Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals Season 1 Episode 6 The Tylenol Murders
- TV-PG
- December 15, 2014
- 29 min
Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals season 1 episode 6, titled "The Tylenol Murders," delves into one of the most notorious unsolved cases in American history. In 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after taking Tylenol capsules that had been laced with cyanide. The incident sparked a nationwide panic and led to widespread changes in the way over-the-counter medications are packaged and sold.
The episode explores the events leading up to the deaths and the subsequent investigation, which was one of the largest in FBI history. It also shines a light on the potential motives of the killer, who has never been caught.
Viewers will hear from experts in the fields of criminology, medicine, and law enforcement, who provide insights into the forensic techniques used to try to identify the killer and the challenges investigators faced in piecing together what happened. They'll also hear from family members of some of the victims, who share their memories of the loved ones they lost and the impact the tragedy had on their lives.
Throughout the episode, viewers will learn about the various theories that have been put forth over the years, including the possibility that the killer was a disgruntled employee of Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Tylenol, or that the murders were linked to a string of similar poisonings in other parts of the country.
The episode also examines the aftermath of the Tylenol murders and the lasting impact they had on the pharmaceutical industry. The tamper-resistant packaging that's now standard on over-the-counter medications, for example, was developed in response to the tragedy.
Overall, "The Tylenol Murders" is a gripping look at a case that continues to fascinate and haunt people more than four decades later. As investigators continue to search for new clues and advances in forensic science offer new avenues for investigation, viewers will be left wondering if the killer will ever be brought to justice.
