The Shocking 1982 Chicago Tylenol Murders: Is The Killer Still Out There After All These Years? 

It is SO refreshing to hear about a company that actually did the right thing in the face of this tragedy. Including actually paying for advertising telling consumers not to use their product!

I was in my 30's, married with 2 children at the time of the Tylenol Murders. My wife and I, immediately threw out all the Tylenol we had in our home. It was strange when tamper-proof products started showing up everywhere. Until then there was a sense of human decency. The age of innocence and trust that was a common part of life, was gone forever. I remember it created a whole new awareness in everything, not just medication.

I remember this. They didn’t have the tamper proof packaging for the same reason that they didn’t have metal detectors at schools. No one could imagine that someone would do something like this.

I knew about this case since I was a kid, but I never knew that Tylenol is basically the reason why we have safety seals; or that they never caught the person who did this. Very interesting yet unsettling case!

The fact that three people in the SAME family died within hours of each other from Tylenol is absolutely terrifying. I can't imagine the family's horror and confusion just hit with continued waves of grief. I also feel terrible for Mary Kellerman's family, she was so young and I imagine that her parents felt a lot of guilt for giving her the Tylenol.

I just still cannot believe they never found out who did this. Like they could still be out there living their life... it's so creepy. There were two kinda similar cases in Japan, the coca cola murders and the paraquat poisonings, if you wanna read about those.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Kendall struggles with reading due to her dyslexia and still perseveres with research to bring us her amazing videos!

Adam buying flowers for his wife makes me both so happy and so sad. Like one of the last memories she has is him coming home with their little kids and a bouquet of flowers. They were just supposed to have a normal night.

This story is studied in marketing classes. Johnson and Johnson pulled ALL Tylenol from every store shelf and disposed of it. They completely changed packaging by putting those lid seals on the jars and the jars into the boxes. It used to be that you’d go and get a jar on the shelf. Everyone thought it would be the end of Tylenol. But since J&J pulled ALL Tylenol from every single shelf of every store in the US, it is seen as a marketing success story.

I'm not surprised Audible sponsors her. She's an amazing storyteller

I thought of this case when all those social media 'stars' were opening ice cream containers and licking them in the store. That was just gross but could have easily escalated quickly.

Even if I already know a story in detail, I'll still watch Kendall cover it because she just does it better.

This story is so scary.. Tampered medication killing people like that. Also, I can't imagine the horror and grief the Janus family felt, how terrible!

I can't even imagine how horrifying it would be to lose one member of your family, and then HOURS later several more die, seemingly out of nowhere. It baffles me that the person who did this never got caught!

Kudos to Johnson and Johnson, this is how companies should react. They cared about their customers, and acted accordingly.

I feel like this changed my mom to this day. I remember my mom being so scared after this crisis. She changed a lot over nignt, constantly checking and double checking everything. Even to this day she's always worried about things being tempered with. I remember clear as day standing in the bathroom as a kid and seeing my mom going through the medicine cabinet grabbing the Tylenol and flushing it down the toilet, she actually wore dishwashing gloves to open the bottle. It's so weird hearing this story again, I remember it like yesterday. Nobody thought Johnson and Johnson would ever recover from this

I remember the Tylenol scare. We just never thought about someone poisoning anything before that happened. It was just normal for products to not have safety seals, but looking back now, it just seems weird they ever were made without them.

i literally could see these deaths being covered up in today's times. horrifying. It could happen to anyone at any minute

I find these cases so interesting, the “why are things the way they are now” kind of stories. I feel horrible for the families and how scared everyone obviously was at the time.

If you hadn’t heard of the Tylenol poisoning, you should definitely look into the Bayer/HIV history.

I learned about this case in pharmacy school during our pharmacy law class! -- Also, side note- The reason your doctor only wants you to take Tylenol (aka acetaminophen) is because NSAIDs like aspirin and Advil (aka ibuprofen) can cause birth defects. Specifically, when taken in the later stages of pregnancy, NSAIDs can prematurely close the ductus arteriosus, which is a blood vessel that normally closes spontaneously after birth. If it closes too early while the fetus is still in the uterus, it can cause serious damage. This risk is associated with the third trimester. In Oct 2020, the FDA also released a warning saying that NSAID use at 20+ wks of pregnancy can lead to rare but serious kidney problems in the fetus. HOWEVER, I feel like the safety of Tylenol is a little over-exaggerated. Yes, it is generally considered safe in pregnancy, especially compared to NSAIDs. Definitely use it if needed; high fever can harm the baby so it should be treated appropriately. But it's not without its own risks. Large doses can do some serious liver damage. Please be careful not to overdose (quite easy to do unintentionally: lots of cold medicines- like Dayquil, for example- have acetaminophen added to them for pain and fever relief so read ingredient lists carefully). And of course, consult your doctor/pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns :)

I actually learned about this in a college level mass media course a couple years ago. Because like Kendall said, it was taught as an example of good crisis management in PR.

My degree is in PR and I can confirm during my crisis management unit that we learned about Tylenol and the excellent response they made.

I called my grandmother and asked her about this. She was in her early 20s and she said it was very weird. Everyone was flushing their Tylenol or sending it back. She said it was scary but it was also strange because back then you didn’t really think of this

The fact that cops went down to neighborhoods to announce not to take Tylenol just goes to show how far we've come technology-wise. I remember my dad mentioning this and he remembers throwing away a bottle of Tylenol. Crazy that they never found who did it. That's how I learned that this case is the reason we have safety seals on all OTC medications.

I was a very young child at the time this happened. I barely remember it except for my mother racing through the house in a panic and tossing all the Tylenol into the trash. Tying it up. And taking it out to the trash can. It was a very scary time in Chicago.

Lets just thank Kendall’s dad for the enlightenment!❤️✨👍🏽

Hello! Certified Pharmacy Tech here! This is still being covered in pharmacy training/school today. I wasn’t born during the Tylenol case but I remember (and worked during) a recent mass recall of Zantac. It was never brought back to shelves or pharmacies.

I feel like Tylenol is always considered the “safest” pain reliever, as it does not cause the same bleeding, stomach upset, kidney damage, etc. that ibuprofen and aspirin can. It’s very upsetting to think about feeling so safe taking a medication, only for it to result in these terrible deaths.

There's a similar case that happened that was solved it was a woman called Stella Nickell that originally murdered her husband with Excedrin and to cover it she tampered with extra bottles and placed them on shelves in other stores.

I always thought it was someone trying to kill a specific person and they tampered with more bottles to complicate the case. I seem to remember a case similar to that around the same time

I vividly remember when this happened. I was a kid, but my Mom was really afraid to take any over the counter meds after this. It was scary.

I was around during this time. It was frightening. I didn’t realize the murderer had never been found until now. Thank you for being this case.

I still wonder HOW the hell tylenol came back from this. And I realllly can’t stand how this is unsolved STILL!!

I actually lived in Arlington Heights in the 80’s and remember this well! I can’t believe it hasn’t been solved yet! Such a tragedy! Thank you for sharing this story

I remember when this happened. I was in grammar school. I am from Chicago so the panic was real. My mom had the Tylenol tablets and I remember her saying to my stepdad “See??? I told you the tablets are better than the capsules.” I guess she was team Tablet all the way.

honestly Johnson and Johnson proved to be so amazing in this case. They were for the people here, even marketing against their own brand? wow very nice, wish more companies cared like that.

My oldest uncle had also died from taking Tylenol, in the 1980’s. He started convulsing and foaming at the mouth. He was only 27 years old.

I was a junior in high school when this happened, it was insane. Thank you for covering this!

I remember hearing about this on the news when it happened. My mother threw out the Tylenol. Rarely took it since until I was pregnant. My doctor gave me a single dose, unfortunately the bottle was part of one of their recalls that year. I ended up in hospital (to monitor the baby). Johnson & Johnson sent me a disclaimer along with a refund check of $3.99. When I called (just once as a follow up call) for information of the recall, they sent me a cease and desist order. Another shady company along with Nestle.

I was in my 30s when this happened. Even before people were told to throw away their Tylenol, we threw ours away. It was scary to buy almost anything that wasn’t sealed properly. Even food products. We watched the stock market plummet, and heard of the changes being done. Even when it was ‘safe’ again people became loyal to other pain companies. Then before you knew it, all medications came super sealed. Shortly after that you’d find toys in shrink wrap. Then they went to hard plastic. Everyone’s faith was shaken for a few years. Most people felt sorry for Johnson & Johnson, knowing this also ‘happened’ to them. We weren’t sure if they would ever recover.

i was just telling my kids about this happening, and how that’s the reason for the foil AND the cotton AND the child proof tops on all aspirins now. this was wild.

This is so heartbreaking. I can't even begin to imagine how those poor families must have felt losing their loved ones so quickly like that :(

I remember this and when it was all over and how the packaging changed. It’s sad that the victims murder has never been found.

I was 8 years old when this happened. My Mom threw away everything in our house… Flintstone Vitamins, St Joseph’s aspirin, Tylenol. It was mass hysteria.

I remember this happening. People were scared everywhere, not just Chicago. For a while, no one would even buy it. That's why a lot of things have tamper resistant packaging now.

I remember this, I was like 10 at the time. I also remember people being freaked out by it and throwing away any medicine they had recently purchased (not just tylenol) I didnt realize they never actually found out who did it though. yikes

I remember this. I was 16 years old and it was scary. God bless those who died and their families. ❤

I think there were a lot of victims named Mary because that area of Chicago, especially in the 80s, was very Catholic.

Back then "tamper proof" didn't exist. Oddly enough though, no one even thought about people messing with stuff like that. Until the Tylenol poisonings. My biggest fear when I had my son was Acetaminophen Toxicity.

It’s crazy that even your grandmother was affected by this tragedy her and so many other mothers must’ve been riddled with anxiety for giving their children a pain relievers!

I remember when this happened. This is why over the counter meds now have the safety seals. It was a pretty crazy time, we were advised to throw away all of our Tylenol.

i saw the buzzfeed unsolved episode but felt bad that one family lost more people after that person

I was around for the Tylenol crisis. I still won't take it because as a child to have just taken an extra strength Tylenol 10 minutes before seeing the news report, imagine the mental trauma! Hard NOPE.

I was only 3 and this affected people for years. I remember being 10-12 and still hearing family and friends talk about precautions because of their fears from this.

I love Kendalls true crime videos. She is a great storyteller and she cuts straight to the point. No wasted time. Excellently paced. Just wanted to say that.

A fascinating story, and it’s so taken for granted that these days there’s tamper-proofing on products. I’m so gutted they never figured out who the culprit was. Perhaps one day this will come to light.

I'm glad you covered this! People in Chicago, and in general in the midwest (I grew up in Ohio) have a HUGE distrust of Johnson&Johnson products after this. Then, there was the baby powder fiasco (bottles laced with asbestos)! When the J&J vaccine came out, there was huge pushback bc of the lack of trust with J&J. I'm 27 now, but I remember my parents and grandparents literally wanted nothing to do with J&J products. I still hesitate to take Tylenol, even though my doctor says I need to stop taking ibuprofen.

Kendall you are such an excellent story teller. I remember this happening when I was a kid but you brought so many details out that it was like experiencing it for the first time. Thank you so much for what you do. Love your videos 💖

Now it makes so much sense why whenever I buy a OTC medicine it has a seal and a warning that if the seal has been broken to immediately report it. Never knew the reason why and now I do. This was really interesting case to listen to. Thanks for talking about it.

Your dad was right, this story is really scary & maybe even more terrifying than a serial killer, because imagine taking a paracetamol & dying after, its crazy.

Born and raised in Chicago for 30 years and this is my first time hearing about this!!

This may be my favorite video you have done, you are always getting better and better Kendall. I love all the history you dove into while presenting this case. You are so great, appreciate all the effort you put into these! 🥰

Kendall, Love from the U.K. ! 🇬🇧 I have become aware in recent months of many true crime channels seeming to take advantage of the horror of the crimes for their own popularity/to get viewers. You are one of the few that I don’t think that about AT ALL. You do so much for victim’s families and to raise awareness. I think you’re great and very inclusive and genuine. Thank you. 😊

My mom told me about this about a year ago… lol… she mentioned it because she was complaining about the packaging in various food, medicine and other home products that she has trouble with opening due to her carpal tunnel syndrome. She then told me how the Tylenol murders precipitated more regulations and standards for packaging on medicine and all products really.

I've heard this story before, but I had no idea that J&J were so proactive when it came down to the safety of their customers. I have to admit, I am impressed with how quickly they handled things. Good for them.

The way she told the story.. I realized for the first time how truly tragic this story was.. the one family losing the two brothers.. I cannot imagine what it would’ve been like for their family to lose them both so suddenly.: from taking Tylenol.. The grief would’ve been unbearable. Absolutely unbearable.

I’m glad you covered the PR response to this! This is always a case I reference to people about crisis management. It’s tragic, but one of the essential PR case studies.

This is the earliest I've ever been. Congrats on your pregnancy Kendall! I just know you and Josh are going to be amazing parents!

I heard this case from my mother, I was complaining about how much packaging my aspirin had and she was like “That’s to protect it from being poisoned, that happened with Tylenol in the 80s” I was like “what!!?” scary af. I regretted complaining about it lol

I absolutely LOVE your content Kendall! I seriously obsessively watch your channel, Mile Higher, light's out, the sesh and planet sleep at night lol .... I'm so super addicted... You guys all have such a gift! And I truly appreciate being a part of your audience. ❤️ Keep doing your thing mamas! And also congrats on the pregnancy and I can't wait to know what you guys are having. I have a 3 year old son of my own, my son definitely saved and changed my life for the better! Super excited for you guys!

Hi Kendall, your research and instigative skills are impeccable! You are a true source for investigative reporting. I remember the Tylenol scare, but you gave me more information about this issue than was reported back then. Thank You for your due diligence! Happy Safe Baby time! Peace and Blessings to you and yours!💖🌹🥰

Kendall Rae, have you ever heard about the story of 17 year old Brittanee Drexel? She ran away from New York to Myrtle beach for spring break and has been missing ever since. It’s 5:11 AM and I’m up thinking about her. Her story was the first story I heard about and it’s what got me into true crime. It’s been 13 years and I still think about her and wonder if justice will ever be served. Praying for her family.

I remember this, my Mom searched the whole house, my Dads company, everywhere. She had a bucket full and took it to the hospital. They were also collecting the bottles.. it was big stuff.

I was graduated from high school in 85. I remember it well. I still think of it when I take Tylenol, and remember how much everything about packaging changed after this happened. You and Josh are adorable, and I love you. I forget how young you are until something like this comes up, and I'm like, "Wow! They didn't know about that?!...Oh yea...I'm their parents' age." 😂

I remember this as a kid and when you mentioned that universities use this case as a good example of crisis management, my crisis management course at the University of Denver (DU) did use this case. I was the oldest person in the class aside from the instructor and we both recalled how scary the whole situation was.

I was a really little kid living in the Chicago suburbs when this happened, but I remember everyone being very scared as the deaths mounted.

Omg this just reminded me of the time when someone was doing something bad with anthrax and envelopes. That's why a ton of people don't like the sticky weird glue on envelopes anymore. We need a video on this too.

I've seen alot about this incident but never in depth like this. Your awesome kendall!!! Thank you 😊

U remember these events and you r spot on....rhey were frightning..thanks for the clarification of many details suprizingly overlooked/not known. As always keep up the great work!!!

I actually heard this case in school. It was a marketing class talking about how companies Handel situations and how Johnson and Johnson was a good company for taking a good risk and taking the blow.

I was 14 when this happened and remember this happening. It was so scary. Kudos to Tylenol for their reaction. But believe it or not I did not remember that they never caught the person awful. But I remember this causing all the tamper proof packaging.

Our family friend is Mary Reiner’s widow 😔 such a sweet family, how horrendously terrifying. Thanks for covering 💜

I remember when that happened, but I was young, like 8 years old, so I don’t remember many of the details. My Mom still won’t take Tylenol though. I’m glad you covered this, very interesting.

I remember this vividly. My mother freaked out, especially when she heard that we had 3 bottles from one of the batches. One of our "saving grace" was we lived in PA at the time. She refused to buy Tylenol for years after this.

I will never, ever forget this case; this happened during the same week that I had given birth to my first son. It would have been horrific in any circumstances, but as a brand new, first time mom my heart was so broken for the Kellerman family, who lost their only child.

I’m 40…lived in the Midwest at the time, and remember the transition in packaging…so sad!😢 Thank you to J&J for taking such swift and selfless action!❤️

An adjacent story that also occurred in the 80s in the Seattle area- the case where a woman tampered with Excedrin using cyanide to kill her husband. Also killed another lady. The medical examiner also detected the almond scent during an autopsy!

The name Mary isn't unusual in this case. Generally you can tell how old an individual is by their name. Some names are just old and it would be rare to hear it now. If this happened in the 80s, Mary was still a relatively common name. Love the video. I've heard of this case before but that's okay, I like listening to your voice.

There was a similar situation in England (not sure what year) where they had to recall baby food as some were contaminated with glass. Such a shocking situation to think that there are people out there that get some sort of gratification on hurting or killing others for no apparent reason and this one to target babies is probably the worst I’ve heard of. Love listening to your reviews on true crime ❤️ keep them coming x

OMG YES, I remember this! I was a freshman in high school. I had severe health anxiety as it was and REFUSED to take any medication for a while after that!

I was 17 and live in IL. It was the first true crime case that scared me because it hit so close to home. My mom threw out all of our pain killers (aspirin and Tylenol). It was months before she bought the safety sealed Tylenol.

I learned about this case in college, as part of a required course as an environmental studies and political science major. You covered it just as throughly. TY

Outstanding presentation. I remember 9/30/82 as if it were yesterday. I was a hospital administrative employee at the time....on the heels of HIV beginning to infect people locally....,sheer terror. The nurse practitioners with whom I worked were stellar, absolutely strong and inspiring. I'll never forget their integrity and their ability to calm panicking patients and employees.

Such a tragedy. Thank you for covering this story. I think it is still relevant today and gives a voice to the victims.

I’m from Chicago and used to live in Schaumburg and can I just say the way you pronounce it makes me giggle. Thank you for bringing attention to cases like this!

So weird hearing my hometown mentioned in this! Surprised more people don’t know about this case though. Great vid!!

This came out on the anniversary of my aunts suspicious death. The tribal police worked with the county and fbi... but nothing has been released about the investigation and no one seems to know anything. Its heartbreaking how many indigenous women meet this fate. 💔 find our women.

Loved how you told this story, you should do more of these!

My husband and I just got our booster shot and we’re on day 2 being sick. We’ve been taking Tylenol every 4-6 hours the pain has been excruciating. Then I see this video 😂 I was like omg 🤦🏻‍♀️