One clue from an Idaho church death led investigators somewhere unexpected

NewsA man died in an Idaho church. Now detectives think there may be more to the storyInvestigators in Idaho identified a man known for decades as the “Unknown Wanderer” and are examining whether evidence from his life could be connected to the unsolved 1982 Tylenol poisonings. (AP Photo/John Swart, File)AP Photo/John SwartMore than 40 years after a man was found dead inside an Idaho church, investigators say they may have uncovered a possible connection to one of America’s most famous unsolved crime cases: the 1982 Tylenol murders. Authorities stressed that no one has been charged and the investigation remains open, ABC News reported. The breakthrough started when Ada County Detective Tim Cooper reopened a cold case in 2019. The man, who had been buried without a confirmed identity, was eventually identified through investigative work, photographs and DNA testing as Dr. Mathew Francis Betkouski. Officials said he died from cyanide poisoning in 1982, according to CBS Chicago News.As detectives learned more about Betkouski’s life, they found details they thought were worth sharing with investigators in Chicago, The Chicago Sun-Times said. Betkouski had worked in drugstores, and some former coworkers reportedly recalled him talking about cyanide and what he described as a “perfect crime.” Investigators also found cyanide among his belongings. The Tylenol murders shocked the nation in 1982 when seven people in the Chicago area died after taking capsules that had been laced with cyanide. The case led to major changes in medicine packaging, including tamper-resistant seals and safety measures still used today. No one has ever been charged in the killings. Chicago police say they are reviewing the Idaho findings. While authorities have not officially named Betkouski as a suspect, the newly uncovered information has added another chapter to a mystery that has haunted investigators for more than four decades, ABC7 Chicago said. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.