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Idaho police identify Tylenol poisoner, triggering Tylenol recall

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 3:52 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Idaho police identified Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski as the suspect in the Chicago Tylenol poisonings.
Detectives found Betkouski dead in a Boise Catholic church in December 1982, a cyanide suicide.
Police matched his remains to Betkouski via photo comparison and familial DNA, ending the Unknown Wanderer case.
Ada County shared findings with Chicago Police, leading to a recall of 25-30 million Tylenol bottles.

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Story summary

Idaho police identified Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski as the suspect in the Chicago Tylenol poisonings.
Detectives found Betkouski dead in a Boise Catholic church in December 1982, a cyanide suicide.
Police matched his remains to Betkouski via photo comparison and familial DNA, ending the Unknown Wanderer case.
Ada County shared findings with Chicago Police, leading to a recall of 25-30 million Tylenol bottles.