According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the Colorado dentist allegedly poisoned his wife in order for him to start a new life with his alleged mistress.
James Toliver Craig, 45 years old, allegedly brought his mistress – a Texas orthodontist with whom he had sent “sexually explicit” emails – to Denver while the mother of his six children was hospitalized and dying as a result of what investigators suspect was Craig’s actions.
Before his 43-year-old wife, Angela Craig, was hospitalized due to the symptoms of dizziness and headaches two days later, Craig had already carried out extensive online research on undetectable poisons before ordering a canister of toxic potassium cyanide delivered to his office, as stated by an affidavit obtained by the Daily Beast.
Angela’s health deteriorated quickly after she was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday and a ventilator had to be used. Sadly, it was determined that she was brain-dead on Sunday and life support systems were then taken away leading up to her passing.
The affidavit depicts the events precluding the assumed homicide; ranging from a strained marriage, deceitfulness, financial obstacles, and even Craig’s past act of poisoning Angela.
Angela’s sibling reported to law enforcement that Craig “had multiple affairs with several women, told Angela he had been addicted to pornography since he was a teenager, and drugged Angela approximately five to six years ago.”
She also mentioned that Angela said Craig “was on the verge of bankruptcy” once again.
Her sister said Craig had drugged her in order to commit suicide with a lethal injection and not be stopped by her until the effects of the drugs kicked in.
When Angela first presented with symptoms in early March and went to the hospital, her husband received a text that she “felt drugged.”
“Given our history I know that must be triggering,” Craig said. “Just for the record, I didn’t drug you. I am super worried though. You really looked pale before I left. Like in your lips even.”
Law enforcement authorities are convinced that the fatal dose of arsenic was administered to her at this point.
According to records from a search of the dentist’s office computer, he had allegedly sought out how much arsenic was necessary for lethal dosage and made orders for an alarming combination – arsenic, cyanide and oleandrin – three highly toxic chemicals.
Law enforcement officials postulate that he administered the toxins through his wife’s protein shakes, ultimately leading to her demise due to cyanide purchased and delivered to his office.
On March 13, he asked the office manager of his dental practice to accept a private package and refrain from opening it.
Unfortunately, another staff member unwittingly opened the package and upon resealing it, the office manager noticed that there was a biohazard sticker with “Potassium Cyanide” written on a circular canister inside, as stated in an affidavit.
After typing in the chemical’s name into Google, she discovered that Angela’s symptoms seemed to be a sign of potassium cyanide poisoning.
When Angela was hospitalized again on March 15, she quickly informed Craig’s business partner and his wife of her findings.
They voiced their worry to a nurse at the hospital about Angela’s potential poisoning with potassium cyanide during their visit.
As mandated by law, the nurse called authorities after she was alerted to potential abuse.
According to reports, Craig claimed he purchased the potassium cyanide for his wife due to her suicidal thoughts.
He stated she requested him to procure it for her since he was qualified to do so, yet he didn’t think that she would have put it into use.
Investigators reported that no evidence of suicidal ideation was found in Angela’s behavior.
Mark Hildebrand, the Division Chief of the Aurora Police Department, characterized the supposed poisoning as “a heinous, complex, and calculated murder.”
