7 days ago
Netflix's Cold Case The Tylenol Murders left me with these burning questions
*Warning - this article contains spoilers for Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders*.
Netflix's newest true crime documentary delves into a chilling and morbidly intriguing case, but it has left me with more questions than answers.
It can be somewhat exasperating when a docuseries doesn't provide all the answers, but that's just the nature of the beast sometimes. Particularly when the circumstances are shrouded in mystery.
Back in 1982 in Chicago, at least seven people tragically lost their lives after consuming cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules. To this day, no one has been charged or held accountable for these deaths. Each episode explores the questions posed at the time and those that still linger. Speaking of, here are the burning ones the series left me with.
Some victims were miles away from each other
(Image: Netflix)
Why label them as murders?
Aside from the fact that it adds a dramatic flair, naturally. If the police had successfully charged and convicted someone for the poisonings, it would make sense to classify them as murders.
Especially if their investigation had revealed a clear motive behind the culprit's actions. But even after spending considerable time discussing the life and deeds of James Lewis, the only named suspect, no motive is suggested. Isn't a motive necessary for a murder?
The thought of a single individual randomly poisoning medications is truly horrifying. The reported deaths occurred miles apart, suggesting that the perpetrator may have travelled considerable distances and put in significant effort to poison bottles while concealing their actions.
What was contained in the other extortion letters?
James Lewis, featured in the documentary as the sole suspect behind the Tylenol deaths, was convicted of extortion. He confessed to authoring a letter demanding $1 million from the drug's manufacturers.
In this letter, he allegedly stated that the killings would cease if the money was paid. For writing this letter, he served approximately 13 years in prison. However, this isn't the only letter he is said to have written.
In 1981, when law enforcement searched his residence, they reportedly found multiple letters. Why would Lewis need to write various types of letters to different companies if he had tampered with Tylenol bottles?
If he was indeed responsible, wouldn't he have written more than one letter to that specific company? The documentary reveals that this search took place in 1981, a year before the poisonings occurred. They also discovered a book about poisoning.
Wouldn't the contents of the letters indicate if he planned to tamper with Tylenol bottles?
Michelle Rosen in Cold Case The Tylenol Murders
(Image: Netflix)
What happened to James Lewis' wife?
James Lewis claims he could confide anything in his wife. At one point, she was also listed as a wanted fugitive alongside her husband. However, she was never officially named as a suspect or charged by the police.
Lewis suggests that his wife was livid when he told her about the extortion letter. It's unfortunate that the documentary producers persuaded Lewis to participate in the series but not his wife.
Her perspective on everything that transpired would have been intriguing. While she might not have wanted to participate, the documentary doesn't clarify if this was the case.
She was reportedly out of town when Lewis was discovered dead in their home in 2023. It's believed she continues to reside in their Massachusetts condo.
Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders is streaming on Netflix
