James Lewis, the key suspect in the infamous 1982 Tylenol murders that terrorized the Chicago area and led to nationwide panic, has passed away at 76. His death, deemed non-suspicious by Cambridge, Massachusetts police, occurred at his home on Sunday.

The 1982 incident involved seven fatalities over just three days, all resulting from cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules. Twelve-year-old Mary Kellerman was the first victim, followed by six others in the Chicago region. The ensuing investigation revealed that the product tampering occurred after the pain reliever left the factory, with someone adding the poison to bottles on store shelves.

While Lewis was never formally charged with the murders, he became the prime suspect after sending a $1 million extortion letter to Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Tylenol, claiming he could stop the killings. This led to his arrest in New York City that same year. Lewis admitted to the extortion attempt, claiming it was a scheme to embarrass his wife's former boss, but consistently denied involvement in the poisonings. He served over 12 years in prison for the extortion conviction.

Despite the lack of charges in the Tylenol case, Lewis's past included other legal troubles. Charges related to a 1978 murder and dismemberment case in Missouri were dismissed due to illegally obtained evidence. Furthermore, rape and kidnapping charges in 2004 were dropped after the alleged victim refused to testify. The FBI reopened the Tylenol investigation in 2009, seizing a computer and other items from Lewis's residence, but no new charges were filed.

Some investigators have pointed to another individual, Roger Arnold, as a potential suspect, citing circumstantial evidence. However, the focus remained on Lewis, particularly after the ransom letter. The Tylenol murders prompted the FDA to implement tamper-resistant packaging regulations for over-the-counter medications, including foil seals, to help consumers identify potential tampering.