Colo. dentist allegedly fatally poisoned his wife with cyanide and eyedrops

AURORA, Colo. (TCD) -- Prosecutors alleged in court this week that a 45-year-old dentist used cyanide and an ingredient typically found in eyedrops to fatally poison his wife this spring.

James Craig appeared in court July 11 for a preliminary hearing, and the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced he is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. He’s currently being held on a $10 million cash bond.

According to the Denver Post, Arapahoe County Coroner Dr. Kelly Lear confirmed in court that Craig’s wife, Angela Craig, 43, died from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning. Tetrahydrozoline is a decongestant that helps reduce redness in the eyes due to irritation.

Craig allegedly purchased cyanide and arsenic in the days leading up to his wife’s death and put poison into her protein shakes. He allegedly used a public computer at his office to search for subjects including "How many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human," "how to make poison," "Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy," and "how to make a murder look like a heart attack."

James Craig’s affidavit claims he bought the poison on Amazon.

On Wednesday, March 15, Craig drove his wife to the hospital because she was "complaining of severe headaches and dizziness." Her "condition deteriorated rapidly," and she was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. Doctors declared her medically brain dead a short time later, and she was taken off life support Sunday, March 19.

Aurora Police began investigating Angela Craig’s "suspicious death" and learned she was poisoned. Officers arrested James Craig on March 19 on suspicion of murder.

Major Crimes Homicide Unit Division Chief Mark Hildebrand said, "When the suspicious details of this case came to light, our team of officers and homicide detectives tirelessly worked to uncover the truth behind the victim’s sudden illness and death. It was quickly discovered this was in fact a heinous, complex, and calculated murder."

According to the affidavit, Angela Craig went to the hospital March 6 because she was feeling "dizzy and weak" but was released the same day. She went back three days later and was released March 14. When she returned to the hospital March 15, she suffered a "serious seizure" and had a "poor" prognosis.

The affidavit says the Craigs had a "tumultuous" marriage and he had "multiple affairs with several women." Angela Craig reportedly told someone she wanted to leave her husband, but he "always convinced her to stay."

While his wife was hospitalized, Craig allegedly met up with a woman named Karin Cain. The two allegedly exchanged emails that were "intimate in nature and contained sexually explicit conversations."

Cain appeared on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, July 12, and said she had met James at a dental conference. She was in the midst of a divorce, and he allegedly told her he was also splitting up from his wife.

"If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person," she said.

Craig’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 29.

MORE:

• Aurora dentist’s wife fatally poisoned with cyanide and decongestant found in Visine, coroner testifies - The Denver Post
• Bond Status - Office of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office
• Case Update - Office of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office
• James Craig affidavit
• Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife to death in 'complex and calculated murder', 3/20/2023 - TCD
• Aurora Dentist Arrested for Homicide, 3/19/2023 - Aurora Police Department