Adam and Theresa Janus: Who Were the Tylenol Murder Victims? How Did They Die?

In September 1982, Adam Janus returned home after picking up his daughter and suddenly mentioned feeling unwell. He died shortly afterward and it was initially believed to be from a heart attack. However, just two days later, his brother, Stanley Janus, and the latter’s wife, Theresa Janus, also died unexpectedly in the presence of family members. The strange pattern of deaths raised red flags for investigators, prompting a deeper look into the circumstances. Netflix’s ‘Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders’ explores the details of their deaths and the investigation that followed.

Adam and Theresa Janus Were Content With the Life They Had Built

Adam Tadeusz Janus was born on March 7, 1955, in Tarnów, Poland, to Thadeus Janus and Aloiza Bistek. He was one of four siblings and shared a particularly close bond with his brother Joe and was very protective of his youngest brother, Stanley. In 1963, the Janus family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Illinois. Known for his strong work ethic, Adam built a steady life as a postal supervisor. He married Teresa Madej, and together, they raised two children, Kasia and Tom, in a modest brick bungalow in Arlington Heights. A devoted family man, Adam cherished his role as a father, enjoyed spending quality time with his kids, and had a hobby of fixing and tinkering with clocks whenever he found the time.

Theresa M “Terri” Tarasewicz was born on June 23, 1962, in Lisle, Illinois. Her parents, Jan and Helena Worona Tarasewicz, raised her in a nurturing and supportive household. Terri was a bright and ambitious young woman who excelled academically. She chose to pursue a business degree at Illinois Benedictine College, where she met Stanley Janus, Adam’s brother. The two quickly formed a close friendship and, despite their youth, married on June 19, 1982. They were ready to build a future together. They settled in a home near Terri’s parents and close to Stanley’s family, where she often spent time with her nieces and nephews. Newly married and filled with hope, the couple had begun a home renovation project, eagerly piecing together the life they had dreamed of.

Adam and Theresa Janus Died Within Hours of Each Other

On the morning of September 29, 1982, Adam Janus picked up his 4-year-old daughter from school and mentioned he had a headache on the way home. He stopped at a Jewel store on Vail Avenue in Arlington Heights, Illinois and purchased a 50-count bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules. After returning home, he took the medication and soon told his wife he wasn’t feeling well before lying down. The 27-year-old collapsed shortly after, and by 2:30 pm, he was rushed to Northwest Community Hospital. Less than an hour later, doctors informed the family that he had died and initially attributed his sudden passing to a heart attack.

The sudden death of Adam left his family in shock, especially since he had no known health issues. As relatives gathered for his funeral, his brother Stanley and sister-in-law Terri were visibly distressed. While at Adam’s house, they came across the bottle of Tylenol he had used, and each of them took two capsules. Moments later, Stanley clutched his chest and collapsed in front of his family, with white foam forming at his mouth. Emergency services were called immediately. As paramedics attended to him, 20-year-old Terri leaned over to check on him and suddenly collapsed as well. Both were rushed to Northwest Community Hospital, where they were pronounced dead by 6:30 pm the same evening.

No One Has Been Held Responsible for Adam and Theresa Janus’ Deaths

The family was in disbelief over the rapid and tragic loss of three loved ones, and authorities were desperate for answers. The bizarre sequence of events prompted a visit from Helen Jensen, Arlington Heights’ sole public health nurse. While examining the scene, she found a receipt for a Tylenol bottle purchased the same day all three victims died. Upon checking the bottle, she noted that only 44 capsules remained, suggesting that each had ingested at least two. The bottle was sent for laboratory analysis, which revealed that the capsules contained potassium cyanide in quantities more than three times the lethal dose. Three additional deaths were soon reported under similar circumstances, prompting public health officials to issue an urgent warning advising people to stop consuming Tylenol.

As the gravity of the situation became clear, authorities launched a nationwide investigation. Over the years, suspects such as James William Lewis, who was convicted of extortion after sending a threatening letter demanding money, and Roger Arnold have been investigated, though no one has ever been criminally charged for the poisonings. The case remains unsolved. Some of the victims’ families have long believed that the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson should be held accountable. While a civil lawsuit was filed and later settled privately, no criminal charges have ever been brought. The incident did lead to significant changes in packaging standards for over-the-counter medications, including tamper-evident seals. However, many still argue that these measures fall short and that a thorough investigation is still warranted.