Idaho authorities identify man in possible Tylenol case link

Idaho authorities have identified a man who died by cyanide poisoning in a Boise church in 1982 as Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski, and say they are investigating a possible connection to the unsolved Chicago-area Tylenol poisonings that killed seven people. Investigators have not named Betkouski a suspect and say they cannot place him in Chicago during the killings. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office said Detective Tim Cooper reopened the unidentified man’s case in 2019. Investigators used an engraved key found with the body to trace a connection to Jacksonville, Florida, then identified Betkouski through photographs and familial DNA, according to the agency’s account. After identifying him, investigators examined his background and found that he had worked in drugstores. Cooper said acquaintances and former colleagues described Betkouski discussing cyanide and the idea of a perfect crime. Authorities said those details contributed to their theory that he could be connected to the poisonings, but have not presented evidence establishing that he tampered with the Tylenol capsules or placed them in stores.