Painkiller: The Tylenol Murders is a five-part documentary series that delves into one of the most notorious crimes in U.S. history, the 1982 Tylenol murders.
The series will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on October 10th and is produced by WBBM Films/CBS Chicago and See It Now Studios. It uses hours of exclusive archival footage to transport viewers back in time to the moments following the discovery that a twisted killer had laced Tylenol pills with cyanide, resulting in the deaths of seven people in the Chicago area.
Painkiller: The Tylenol Murders investigates the chaos and fear that spread across the nation in the wake of the Tylenol murders. A killer had tampered with Tylenol bottles, and no one initially knew the extent of the poisonings.
Although the person responsible for the murders was never arrested, the journalists behind the film claim they believe they know who did it. They also explore missteps by law enforcement in the investigation of the prime suspect, suggesting that had he been caught sooner for previous crimes, the Tylenol murders in Chicago might have been prevented.
The documentary took nearly two years to produce and is the first comprehensive film about the Tylenol poisonings. It includes present-day interviews with the few remaining witnesses, 40 years after the crimes took place.
The series discusses how these murders forever changed the way people perceive over-the-counter medicine and led to significant changes in product packaging and tamper-evident seals.
The documentary features interviews with key individuals involved in the initial investigation, including a nurse named Helen Jensen, who played a crucial role in identifying the link between the deaths and poisoned Tylenol.
It traces the steps and missed clues related to the longtime suspect James Lewis, providing an inside look at his mindset and the efforts to track him down.
The film also focuses on the families affected by the murders and their ongoing quest for justice. It explores whether past clues and advanced DNA technology can bring closure and justice decades later.
The documentary highlights the commitment of younger generations to continue seeking answers and justice for their family members who were victims of this tragedy.
From WBBM Films/CBS Chicago, The Painkiller: The Tylenol Murders production team includes executive producers Jeff Harris, Susan Zirinsky, and Terence Wrong, as well as several supervising producers, reporters, and editors who have worked on bringing this dark and complex mystery to the screen. The documentary promises to shed new light on a case that has remained unsolved for decades.
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