Tvlenol Crisis 1982 Having been such an extraordinary and profitable business, there seemed to be no reason for worry through the eyes of James Burke, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, and his successful industry. It was reported in Fortune that, "Earnings were up to 16.7% in 1981 and 1982 looked even better. In fact, Burke's main concern at the executive committee's annual three-day strategic planning review was that things were going too well." 95 While discussing any future crisis occurrences that is inevitable to come up with any company, nobody in the conference could think of, let alone imagine any downsides to this booming business. On the tragic morning of September 29, 1982, a horrific medical mystery was created from a simple sore throat and stuffy nose. The murders came to life when Mary Kellerman, a 12-year old girl from a suburb of Chicago brought attention to her parents about her sore throat and runny nose, like thousands of school children complain to their parents about. By giving her just one Extra-Strength Tylenol capsule that was unknowingly laced with the deathly potassium cyanide, Mary was dead within hours of consuming. She was only the first. Within that same week, her death would send a national panic to purchasers of this widely consumed product