The Tylenol Mafia (66 page)

When J&J discovered the seventh bottle: Malcolm, Andrew H. “Another poisoned Tylenol bottle is found by Chicago investigators.”
The New York Times
, October 22, 1982.

 
“The Illinois Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI”: Lewis, James.
ABC-7 Personal Interview by Chuck
Goudie
, 1992.
 

On October 8, 1982, NBC-News showed video footage:
Nightly News
. NBC, October 8, 1982.

Tyrone Fahner said the cyanide-laced Tylenol:
 
Rutenberg
, Sharon. “More Than One ‘Madman’ Tylenol Killer is
Hinted
.”
The Progress
, October 4, 1982.

The chemical makeup:
 
Doyle, Pat. “A year after Tylenol killings: sorrow lingers, answers elude.”
The Sunday Herald
, September 25, 1983.

The FDA traced the cyanide to DuPont:
 
The Ames Lab: Creating Materials and Energy Solutions. “Did you know” brochure.
https://www.ameslab.gov/files/DidYouKnowThat_0.pdf
 

The
Chicago Tribune
reported that the poisoned Tylenol capsules contained:
 
Associated Press.
“Cyanide source to be probed.”
The Galveston Daily News
, November 13, 1982.

In early 1986, the FDA conducted its own analysis of cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules: Norman, Michael. “FBI is assigning Tylenol inquiry ‘highest priority.’”
The New York Times
, February 15, 1986.

 
“We currently have no evidence that any other Extra Strength Tylenol”:
 
Cunningham, Kathy.
“Local Tylenol Distributor Sure of Safety.”
 
Winchester Star
, October 2, 1982.

When Chicago Mayor:
 
David Berg and Stephen Robb.
“Crisis Management and the ‘Paradigm Case,’” in
Rhetorical and Critical Approaches to Public Relations
, ed.
Toth
, Elizabeth.
Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1992, pg. 92-107.

 
“
temporarily
suspended production”: United Press International. “Tylenol Production Is Halted.”
Pharos-Tribune
, October 5, 1982.

 
“There is widespread”:
 
Gates, Thomas N.
 
“McNeil Consumer Products Co. ‘Dear Doctor’ Letter”: signed by Dr. Thomas N. Gates, October 13, 1982.

J&J executives had learned
:
 
Duerksen
, Susan. “6th poison victim dies; 2 more believed linked with Tylenol.”
The Daily Herald
, October 1, 1982.

“This case [the Tylenol murders] won’t”:
 
Beck, Melinda; Foote, Donna; Michael, Renee; Shannon, Elaine.
“The Tylenol Manhunt.”
Newsweek
, November 1, 1982.

18
           
The Tylenol Institution

Lynn had checked out of Central DuPage hospital: Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner.
Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982.

Minutes later, Lynn’s:
 
Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner.
Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982.
-- Rosen, Michelle.
Telephone interview by author, 2009.

In fact, 90 percent:
 
Boatright
, John R.
Ethics and the Conduct of Business
.
Prentice Hall, 2002.

In 1974, Central DuPage Hospital:
 
Central DuPage Hospital.
“Key Milestones in Our History.”
CDH.org.
http://www.cdh.org/About-Us/Our-History.aspx

The AHSP guidelines:
 
American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
“ASHP technical assistance bulletin on hospital drug distribution and control.”
Am
J Hosp Pharm., 1980.

Inpatient self-care and “discharge” medications: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
“ASHP technical assistance bulletin on hospital drug distribution and control.”
Am
J Hosp Pharm., 1980.

By that
aftenoon
, J&J had assigned Chicago area sales reps: Associated Press. “Poisoned Tylenol kills 5.”
The Capital
, October 1, 1982.

 
“My first experience”:
 
“Tylenol's "Miracle" Comeback” A year after the poisonings, public confidence is restored.”
TIME,
October 17, 1983.

J&J said in 1982 that 70 percent of all Tylenol users:
 
Rosenfeld, Steven.
“Trying to salvage Tylenol - again!”
Gettysburg Times
, February 28, 1986.

The Washington Post
ran a story:
 
“Hospitals Opt
For
Tylenol Because Of Drug's Low Cost.”
Washington Post
, July 07, 1987.

“People forget how”:
 
Moore, Thomas.
“The Fight to Save Tylenol.”
TIME,
November 29, 1982.

On the morning: Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner. Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982

 
“
retrieve
any and all bottles of Tylenol”: Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner.
Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982.

At around 11:00 a.m.: Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner.
Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982.

He guessed they were in the bottle:
 
Reiner, Ed. Personal interview by author. Winfield, IL, May 22, 2010.

Chief Sostak brought Lynn’s Tylenol: Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner.
Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982.

Siekmann turned them over to the Illinois Department of Health:
Pirl
,
Joerge
.
Telephone interview by author, 2010.
-- Siekmann, Peter. DuPage County Coroner’s Office Preliminary Report, re: Mary Reiner, September 30, 1982.

On Friday, October 1
^st
, Siekmann: Associated Press. “Poison Tylenol Kills Five.”
The Capital
, October 1, 1982. --
Duerksen
, Susan. “6th poison victim dies; 2 more believed linked with Tylenol.”
The Daily Herald
, October 1, 1982.

 
“The task force is asking for help in solving the bizarre crime”: 10 p.m. News.
WMAQ-TV.
NBC, October 1, 1982.

On Saturday, October 2
^nd
, the Daily Herald reported:
 
Duerksen
, Susan. “6th poison victim dies; 2 more believed linked with Tylenol.”
The Daily Herald
, October 2, 1982.

As of Friday night, authorities had publicly linked:
 
Duerksen
, Susan. “6th poison victim dies; 2 more believed linked with Tylenol.”
The Daily Herald
, October 2, 1982.

The poisoned Tylenol that killed Mary McFarland:
 
Associated Press. “Poison Found in
Another
Tylenol Batch.”
Winchester Star
, October 1, 1982.

The cyanide-laced Tylenol that killed Paula Prince: Associated Press. “Byrne bans sale of all Tylenol in the big city.”
Sunday Roswell Daily Record
, October 3, 1982.

On Saturday, October 2
^nd
, lot numbers 1665LM and MC2884:
 
Associated Press. “7th Chicago-area death blamed on poisoned drug.”
The News
, October 2, 1982.

The danger list now included only lot numbers MC2880, 1910MD, and 1801MA:
 
Madrzyk
, Anna; Gores, Paul.
 
“Cyanide Killer Search Widens.”
The Sunday Herald
, October 3, 1982.

On Sunday, October 3
^rd
, police:
 
Associated Press. “Search pressed for clues in poisonings.”
The Frederick Post
, October 4, 1982.

“
one
bottle labeled Regular Strength Tylenol, Lot 1833MB”: Siekmann, Peter. DuPage County Coroner’s Office Preliminary Report, re: Mary Reiner, September 30, 1982.

Police explained that:
 
Associated Press.
 
“Police Seek Drug Killer.”
Daily News Record
, October 4, 1982.

Winfield Police Officer Scott Watkins, now Lieutenant: Watkins, Scott.
Personal interview by author, August 19, 2010.

“I don’t know”: Watkins, Scott.
Personal interview by author, August 19, 2010.

Watkins also said that on Thursday morning: Coroner’s inquest, re: Lynn Reiner.
Direct examination by DuPage County Coroner Richard Ballinger, 1982.
--
Siekman
, Peter. DuPage County Coroner’s Office Preliminary Report, re: Mary Reiner, September 30, 1982. -- Watkins, Scott.
Personal interview by Michelle Rosen, March 12, 2010.

19
           
The Louis Zahn Drug Company

When Central DuPage Hospital converted: Central DuPage Hospital.
“Key Milestones in Our History.”
CDH.org.
http://www.cdh.org/About-Us/Our-History.aspx

On October 1, 1982, ABC-News:
 
World News Tonight
. ABC, October 6, 1982. --
Madrzyk
, Anna; Gores, Paul.
 
“Cyanide Killer Search Widens.”
The Sunday Herald
, October 3, 1982.
-- ABC Nightline, ABC, October 1, 1982.

Louis Zahn founded:
  
“Louis Zahn dead at 67.”
The World
, August 28, 1977.

In 1982, Zahn Drug was one of the three largest:
 
“The Wall Street Transcript.”
The Wall Street Transcript website, May 14, 2001.
Accessed July 10, 2011.
http://www.twst.com/pdf/visiontek.pdf

The company maintained its own delivery operation:
 
Chicago Truck Drivers, Helpers and Warehouse Workers Union Pension Fund, and Paul Glover v. Louis Zahn Drug Co. 88-2498. U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, December 11, 1989.

The company’s headquarters:
 
“Help Wanted, Customer Service.”
 
The Daily Herald
, July 18, 1982.

Since January of 1982, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer was William P. Altman: “Executives; Executive Changes.”
The New York Times
, January 27, 1982.

Prior to joining Zahn:
 
“A.L. Laboratories Inc. appoints William P. Altman vice president-U.S. pharmaceutical operations.”
PR Newswire
, August 7, 1986.

The CFO of Zahn Drug:
 
Heffes
, Ellen M. “Balance Sheet.”
Financial Executive
, January 1, 2002.
Accessed May 5, 2010.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Balance+Sheet.-a082016603

Louis Zahn was:
 
“Louis Zahn dead at 67.”
The World
: August 28, 1977 -- “New Drug Center.”
The World
, January 7, 1977, p7.

He had been a Director:
 
“Let’s Talk Business.”
 
Waterloo Sunday Courier
, January 4, 1970.
-- “Louis Zahn dead at 67.”
The World
, August 28, 1977.
-- “New Drug Center.”
The World
, January 7, 1977, p7. --
Lydon
, Dan.
 
“Around N’ About.”
Your
Community Newspaper
, April 30, 1958.

Zahn Drug was the prime vendor for a group purchasing organization: Wagner, Mary.
“Tracking System Cuts Inventory Costs.”
 
Modern healthcare
, March 17, 1989.