A dentist in the city of Aurora, Colorado, was arrested and charged with killing his wife after local police discovered that he allegedly poisoned his partner’s protein shakes with arsenic and then gave her a lethal dose of potassium cyanide. The defendant, 45-year-old James Craig, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after his wife, Angela Craig, died in the hospital during her third hospitalization in a month.
The investigation began after a friend and colleague of the defendant, Ryan Redfearn, informed a nurse that Craig had ordered potassium cyanide, a substance that was not necessary for his dental practice. The dentist had instructed that the package not be opened, but another employee did so, leading to its discovery and subsequent disclosure.
Redfearn also informed authorities that Craig was experiencing financial and marital problems, which aided in the investigation. Investigators believe the defendant mixed one of his wife’s protein shakes with arsenic earlier in the month and then gave her another containing potassium cyanide before she was readmitted to the hospital. In addition, the delivery of oleandrin, a poisonous element found in the leaves of the oleander plant, which was allegedly ordered by the suspect, was intercepted.
Aurora Police Division Chief Mark Hildebrand stated that the case was a “heinous, complex, and calculated murder” and that the team of officers and homicide detectives worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the victim’s sudden illness and death. Craig faces first-degree murder charges and is being held in custody without bail.