Trusted Dentist Arrested on Suspicion of First-Degree Murder

In a twisted tale of love, betrayal, and murder, a Colorado dentist takes the ultimate step to be with his mistress, employing a method as old as crime itself: poison. What leads a man sworn to care for others to choose death as the solution to marital discord?

The Accusation

This harrowing story begins with a dentist accused of killing his wife by lacing her protein shakes with lethal doses of arsenic and cyanide. James Craig, a 45-year-old dentist from Colorado, allegedly orchestrated the death of his spouse to free himself for another woman.

The Motive

Court documents reveal a chilling motive: Craig’s desperate desire to be with the woman he was having an affair with. As his wife Angela fought for her life in the hospital, Craig was allegedly planning a future with another woman.

The Plan Unravels

Authorities suspect that Craig poisoned one of the protein shakes he regularly prepared for his wife’s workouts with arsenic on March 6. Following her survival from the first poisoning, he expedited an order of potassium cyanide, falsely claiming it was necessary for a surgical procedure. He instructed an office manager to avoid opening the package, yet it was opened by another staff member, revealing its contents and ultimately bringing the case to the attention of law enforcement, according to court documents.

Craig’s suspicious activities, including orders for other toxic substances and internet searches about detecting arsenic in autopsies, caught the attention of the authorities and eventually led to his arrest on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Not the First Time He Poisoned His Wife

The document reveals that Craig was facing financial ruin and experiencing marital difficulties. Toni Kofoed, Angela Craig’s sister, reported to the authorities that approximately five years prior, Craig had administered an unidentified substance to his wife, claiming he intended to take his own life and wished to prevent her from intervening.

The Associated Press reports that When Angela was in the hospital, Craig texted her, saying “Given our history I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn’t drug you. I am super worried though.”

The Aftermath

As the community reels from the shock of the crime, questions about how James Craig could commit such a brutal crime remain. The case of James Craig is a stark reminder of the depths to which individuals can sink, driven by desires that overshadow their professional oaths and moral compasses.

References: Police: Dentist killed wife by lacing shakes with poison