The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

Tylenol Murders: A Chilling Mystery of Poisoned Pills and a Vanishing Killer


Listen Later

Today we unravel the chilling mystery of the Tylenol murders, a case that forever changed how we trust everyday medicine. In 1982, seven unsuspecting individuals, including Mary Kellerman, Adam Janus, and Paula Prince, tragically lost their lives after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules. The ensuing investigation spotlighted James Lewis as a prime suspect, though he was never charged with the murders. Johnson & Johnson's unprecedented recall and introduction of tamper-proof packaging set new standards in product safety. Despite extensive efforts, the perpetrator remains unidentified, leaving a haunting legacy that continues to impact public health policies today.

We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources:
  • The Chicago Tylenol-Cyanide Murders of 1982 - History Defined
  • James Lewis, suspect in the 1982 Tylenol murders, dies at 76 - PBS NewsHour
  • How the Tylenol murders of 1982 changed the way we consume medication - PBS NewsHour
  • Chicago Tylenol murders Wikipedia
  • Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders (2025) - Netflix
  • The Tylenol Killer: Chicago's 1980s Cyanide Spree - Biographics (Youtube)
    Host & Show Info
    • Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
    • About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
    • Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin
    • Community & Calls to Action
      • ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
      • 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
      • 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
      • ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon
      • 📤 Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favorite takeaway.

        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating ThingsBy Kyle Risi & Adam Cox, Bleav

        • 4.9
        • 4.9
        • 4.9
        • 4.9
        • 4.9

        4.9

        61 ratings


        More shows like The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

        View all
        True Crime Garage by TRUE CRIME GARAGE

        True Crime Garage

        34,435 Listeners

        True Crime Obsessed by True Crime Obsessed

        True Crime Obsessed

        35,556 Listeners

        RedHanded by Wondery | RedHanded

        RedHanded

        12,584 Listeners

        Swindled by A Concerned Citizen

        Swindled

        9,834 Listeners

        You Can’t Make This Up by Netflix

        You Can’t Make This Up

        1,027 Listeners

        Morbid by Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart

        Morbid

        99,026 Listeners

        American Scandal by Wondery

        American Scandal

        18,988 Listeners

        Serialously with Annie Elise by Annie Elise & Audioboom Studios

        Serialously with Annie Elise

        9,976 Listeners

        Crime Weekly by Audioboom Studios

        Crime Weekly

        10,026 Listeners

        Murder In America by Bloody FM

        Murder In America

        7,891 Listeners

        Scamfluencers by Wondery

        Scamfluencers

        7,239 Listeners

        Love Marry Kill by Tina and Rich

        Love Marry Kill

        641 Listeners

        Detective Perspective by Derrick Levasseur

        Detective Perspective

        1,874 Listeners

        The Big Flop by Wondery

        The Big Flop

        1,172 Listeners

        Murder She Watched by Amye Archer

        Murder She Watched

        386 Listeners