Cross-country cold case leads detectives to Chicago-area Tylenol murders

CHICAGO -- Officials have identified a man known as the "unknown wanderer." They said he has a possible link to the infamous Tylenol murders in Chicago.

Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski was identified as the man found dead inside a Boise, Idaho church in December 1982.

He died by taking cyanide inside the church.

Police said that before he died, Betkouski received multiple treatments for mental health in the 70s.

In 1982, Betkouski was known to be doing experiments at his home, and police said he was fired after taking chemicals from his job at a lab.

He was described as paranoid, possibly having schizophrenia and a "loner."

In 2021, his brother died, and police were able to find old items that used to belong to Betkouski, inlcuding his old desk and bed.

Police said they found homemade cyanide in his belongings; however, police said it was different than the poison used in the Chicago murders.

Maps of Chicago were also found among his things, including photos of Betkouski in the Windy City in what is believed to be December 1981.

Police said in the late 70s and early 80s he lived in California, Texas, New Mexico, Ohio and Florida. Officials are hoping to find other cold cases that involve cyanide deaths.

Idaho police said they cannot name him as a suspect in the Tylenol murders because it's not their case, but officials sent information to Chicago and Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz said he worked the case in Chicago in the 80s. Dietz said when he presented the case of Betkouski to multiple forensic psychiatrists and an FBI group, they all believed Betkouski was a viable suspect.

In the fall of 1982, seven people died within 24 hours in the Chicago area after taking Tylenol that had been laced with one of the deadliest and fast-acting poisons: cyanide.

The case has never been solved.

James Lewis, the only person ever convicted in connection with the Tylenol killings, died in 2023.