Colorado Dentist Allegedly Poisoned Wife, Tried To Have Death Staged as Suicide

A Colorado dentist faces trial for allegedly poisoning his wife’s protein shakes and plotting to stage her death as suicide.

At a Glance

James Craig is accused of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and perjury charges.
Angela Craig, a mother of six, died from poisoning by cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.
Craig allegedly attempted to poison his wife’s protein shake with arsenic and later ordered potassium cyanide.
Investigators claim Craig had an affair and searched online for undetectable murder methods.
Craig allegedly tried to manipulate his trial by persuading an inmate to plant fake suicide notes.

Dental Practice Turns Deadly

James Craig, a Colorado dentist, stands accused of a heinous crime. Craig faces charges of first-degree murder for allegedly poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, a mother of six. The case has taken several twists and turns, with the trial delayed this past week due to Craig’s attorneys withdrawing from the case because of a “professional conflict.”

The Arapahoe County coroner determined that Angela Craig died from poisoning by cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. Investigators allege that Craig attempted to poison his wife’s protein shake with arsenic on March 6, 2023, and later ordered potassium cyanide under false pretenses. The investigation began after Craig’s dental practice partner informed a nurse about the unnecessary order of potassium cyanide.

Craig was originally facing just four charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of tampering with evidence, and perjury. However, prosecutors just filed new charges, including solicitation to commit murder in the first-degree along with solicitation to commit perjury in the first-degree.

Colorado dentist accused of poisoning wife tried to enlist ex-con in phony evidence plot: cops https://t.co/rP1RPqjGjB pic.twitter.com/etgOut7xig

— New York Post (@nypost) November 24, 2024

A Web of Deception

As the investigation unfolded, a disturbing pattern of behavior emerged. Police reported that Craig had an affair before his wife’s death and searched online for ways to commit undetectable murder. Searches allegedly included phrases like “Is arsenic detectable in an autopsy?” and “How to make murder look like a heart attack.”

The case took an even more sinister turn when it was revealed that Craig allegedly attempted to manipulate his murder trial by persuading a fellow inmate to plant fake suicide notes to make his wife’s death appear as a suicide. Craig reportedly wrote a jailhouse letter to a former inmate, asking him to commit perjury and plant the notes in his family home.

Elaborate Cover-Up Attempts

Craig’s alleged attempts to cover his tracks didn’t stop there. He also reportedly suggested finding women to falsely claim they had affairs with him, to provide a motive for his wife’s supposed suicide. In exchange for these favors, Craig offered dental work as a bonus, authorities have said. However, the letter never reached its intended recipient due to a mailing error.

An evidentiary hearing led to the addition of a perjury charge against Craig, with the prosecution meeting its burden of proof. Despite the mounting evidence, Craig maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The Road to Justice

Angela Craig died on March 18, 2023, after multiple hospital visits, ultimately being pronounced brain dead. The tragedy has left six children without their mother and a community grappling with the shocking allegations against a trusted professional.

Craig’s trial was initially expected to start late last week with jury selection. However, now it will begin in early January, with a hearing scheduled for December 16 to introduce a new attorney. As the case moves forward, the eyes of the nation will be on this Colorado courtroom, seeking justice for Angela Craig and answers to the disturbing questions surrounding her death.