James Craig, the Colorado dentist accused in the poisoning death of his wife, allegedly researched and bought poisons prior to her death while having an affair with another woman, authorities say.
Angela Craig, 43, died March 15 after her third trip to the hospital that month for faintness and dizzy spells. Upon arrival on Wednesday, Craig’s condition deteriorated rapidly causing her to be placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit, where she was later pronounced brain dead. After an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, police charged her husband James with first-degree murder, calling it “a heinous, complex and calculated” crime.
Authorities in Colorado began investigating Craig after his dental practice partner, Ryan Redfearn, reportedly informed a nurse that the suspect had ordered potassium cyanide even though they did not require it for their dental practice, according to The Associated Press. Police allege that Craig used the office computer to research and purchase the poisons, going so far as to google questions pertaining to whether arsenic was detectable in an autopsy, the outlet reported.
Police believe a Colorado dentist laced his wife’s pre-workout protein shakes with arsenic and cyanide, eventually killing his spouse so he could be with a woman he was having an affair with, according to court documents. https://t.co/TvmAjMkYdS
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 21, 2023
On March 6, Angela was taken to the hospital for the first time by Craig after reportedly drinking her post-workout shake and feeling lightheaded and dizzy. On March 9, after she was taken to the hospital a second time for the same symptoms, Craig allegedly James ordered the potassium cyanide claiming he was a surgeon “performing a craniofacial reconstruction “and was using it the chemical to see if it would “help with the layering of alternative metals,” 9 News reported, citing the affidavit. (RELATED: ‘Burning Sensation: Major-Mix-Up Leads To Children, Adults Being Served Horrendous Product For Breakfast)
Though Craig reportedly informed his staff at the practice a package was expected and not to open it, an office attendant did, and upon seeing the canister labeled “potassium cyanide” googled Angela’s symptoms in relation to the poison when she was admitted to the hospital again on March 15, the outlet reported. After hearing Angela’s condition was worsening, Redfearn then reportedly went to the hospital and informed a nurse of his suspicions in relation to the potassium cyanide.
While Angela was in the hospital, investigators discovered Craig had been in contact with another woman, whom he communicated intimately with using the same email he used to reportedly purchase the poisons, 9 News reported, citing the affidavit.
Angela’s sister, Toni Kofoed, further revealed to the outlet that Craig was in financial trouble and that in the course of their 16-year marriage Angela had reportedly tried to leave Craig multiple times, but was persuaded to stay each time by her husband.
Kofoed reportedly revealed to police that Craig had drugged his wife five years prior to her death because he was suicidal and he did not want her to be in a position to save him. In a series of texts uncovered by police, Craig appears to allude to this incident by reportedly telling a lightheaded and dizzy Angela on March 6, “Given our history I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn’t drug you. I am super worried though,” the outlet reported.
Craig remains in custody without bond and is not allowed to have contact with any of his six children, three of whom are under the age of 18, 9 News reported.