bcw (10/10/82)
From: Bruce C. Wright @ Duke University Re: A Tylenol Theory (non-conspiracy) The idea expressed (someone wanting to do away with somebody but throwing the cops off the trail by making it part of a "random" series of murders) was also used by Agatha Cristie (sp?) in her book "The ABC murders" - also too good to spoil by giving any more details. I'm not aware that this has *actually* been done in any murder plot though. Bruce C. Wright @ Duke University
rs55611 (10/11/82)
In response to the Tylenol theory mentioned, the police have looked into the possibility of someone using random murders as a cover-up for a single intended murder. Whether this theory has already been dismissed or not, I couldn't say. Another theory that has been examined is that the murders were intended to cause a drop in Johnson and Jonson (whoops) stock, which would be taken advantage of by short-selling the stock or options. Apparantly this theory has been checked and abandoned.