Tylenol Murders An 'Active' Investigation In Arlington Heights

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — It has now been 35 yeas since seven people in Chicagoland died after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol and the case remains one of the nation's most puzzling unsolved mysteries. But that doesn't mean it isn't getting the attention it deserves from the Arlington Heights Police Department, the primary law enforcement body investigating the series of crimes from late September 1982.

"This is an open, active investigation," Arlington Heights Deputy Police Chief Miguel Hernandez said.

The task force investigating the crimes that killed Mary Kellerman of Elk Grove Village, Mary McFarland of Elmhurst, Paula Prince of Chicago, Mary Reiner of Winfield and Adam, Stanley and Theresa Janus of Arlington Heights includes police from Cook County, Du Page County, Elk Grove Village, Lombard, Schaumburg, Chicago, Winfield and the Illinois State Police, Hernandez said.

RELATED ON PATCH: 'When We Lost Our Innocence' — Nurse Who First Noticed Tylenol Connection Remembers Murders 35 Years Later

There's been no loss of focus for those investigating it 35 years later. Hernandez says that not only does it remain on the "front-burner," but that investigators are pursuing multiple suspects. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

"There are suspects," he said.

Hernandez wouldn't say how many suspects there are, and could not comment on exactly how much time and personnel is being devoted to the case.

"I wish I could say more, but this is a very open investigation," he said. "This is not gathering dust. We are pushing forward with other agencies for a successful conclusion."

Photos: Tim Moran, Patch / Arlington Heights police logo