James Lewis, Suspect of 1982 Chicago Tylenol Poisonings, Dead at 76 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 07-10-2023, 05:32 PM

James Lewis, Prime Suspect in Unsolved 1982 Tylenol Murders Case, Dies at 76
by Doha Madani
July 10, 2023

The sole suspect investigators believed was responsible for the 1982 Tylenol murders in Chicago has died, police said Monday.

James Lewis, 76, was never charged in the seven murders but was the only person targeted by law enforcement as a suspect for more than 40 years in the case.

Police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, confirmed that the department and EMS workers responded to Lewis' suburban Boston home for a call of an unresponsive person on Sunday afternoon. He was later declared deceased.

"Following an investigation, Lewis’ death was determined to be not suspicious," the department said.

Seven people in the Chicago area were killed, ranging in age from 12 to 35, after ingesting extra-strength Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide. Lewis, who was in his 30s at the time, denied any involvement in the deaths.

But Lewis was convicted of attempted extortion after writing a ransom note to Johnson & Johnson, the parent company that manufactures Tylenol. Lewis demanded $1 million from the company "if you want to stop the killing," according to The Chicago Tribune.

The postmark on the letter appeared to show Lewis wrote the letter before the public knew the deaths were linked to the tainted Tylenol pills, the Tribune reported.

Former assistant U.S. attorney Jeremy Margolis, who successfully prosecuted the extortion case, told the Chicago Tribune he regrets Lewis was never brought to justice for the Tylenol deaths.

“I was saddened to learn of James Lewis’ death,” Morgolis said in a statement to the Tribune. “Not because he’s dead, but because he didn’t die in prison."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...s-76-rcna93459

Talbot · 07-10-2023, 07:59 PM

Honestly, I don't think he did it. If he did, there's not enough evidence to say he did beyond a shadow of a doubt.

MediaHoarder · 07-24-2023, 10:36 AM

Honestly the prosecutor sounds very unprofessional in his statement. Basically smearing an innocent man in his death.

07-10-2023, 05:32 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,230	James Lewis, Suspect of 1982 Chicago Tylenol Poisonings, Dead at 76 James Lewis, Prime Suspect in Unsolved 1982 Tylenol Murders Case, Dies at 76 by Doha Madani July 10, 2023 The sole suspect investigators believed was responsible for the 1982 Tylenol murders in Chicago has died, police said Monday. James Lewis, 76, was never charged in the seven murders but was the only person targeted by law enforcement as a suspect for more than 40 years in the case. Police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, confirmed that the department and EMS workers responded to Lewis' suburban Boston home for a call of an unresponsive person on Sunday afternoon. He was later declared deceased. "Following an investigation, Lewis’ death was determined to be not suspicious," the department said. Seven people in the Chicago area were killed, ranging in age from 12 to 35, after ingesting extra-strength Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide. Lewis, who was in his 30s at the time, denied any involvement in the deaths. But Lewis was convicted of attempted extortion after writing a ransom note to Johnson & Johnson, the parent company that manufactures Tylenol. Lewis demanded $1 million from the company "if you want to stop the killing," according to The Chicago Tribune. The postmark on the letter appeared to show Lewis wrote the letter before the public knew the deaths were linked to the tainted Tylenol pills, the Tribune reported. Former assistant U.S. attorney Jeremy Margolis, who successfully prosecuted the extortion case, told the Chicago Tribune he regrets Lewis was never brought to justice for the Tylenol deaths. “I was saddened to learn of James Lewis’ death,” Morgolis said in a statement to the Tribune. “Not because he’s dead, but because he didn’t die in prison." https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...s-76-rcna93459 Attached Images

07-10-2023, 07:59 PM	#2
Talbot Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 25, 2022 Location: Illinois Posts: 5	Honestly, I don't think he did it. If he did, there's not enough evidence to say he did beyond a shadow of a doubt.

07-24-2023, 10:36 AM	#3
MediaHoarder Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 18, 2021 Posts: 482	Honestly the prosecutor sounds very unprofessional in his statement. Basically smearing an innocent man in his death.