Austin’s connection to the dentist charged in his wife’s poisoning death, the affidavit claims
AURORA, Col. (KDVR) – An Aurora dentist accused of poisoning and murdering his wife allegedly researched and ordered multiple “undetectable poisons” and Googled “how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human.” Police also said he was attempting to start a new life with another woman who had ties to central Texas.
James Toliver Craig, 45, was arrested on Sunday on first-degree murder charges in the death of his wife Angela Craig. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by sister station KXAN FOX31, the Aurora Police Department believes James went out of his way to kill his wife by allegedly looking for ways to kill someone undetected by ordering different types of poison and pouring it into his smoothies. protein.
According to the affidavit, Angela said she suffered from dizziness, headaches and a feeling of being drugged from March 6 until March 15. Angela fell ill multiple times during that week and was hospitalized three separate times.
FOX31 tried to speak with James’ defense attorney after a hearing on Monday but declined to comment on the case.
Colleagues become suspicious of James
According to the arrest affidavit, the manager of James’ office first became suspicious of his behavior on March 6, the first day Angela became ill.
The office manager told police he was working late at the dental office when James returned and began researching an exam room computer. He told police he was weird because James had his own office and his personal computer.
A short time later, James left the dental office and told the office manager that he would be receiving a personal package and not to open it. According to the office manager, that package arrived on Monday and another employee accidentally opened it to find a biohazard sticker with a can of “potassium cyanide” inside.
The director of the office told police she googled what the potassium cyanide was used for and saw that Angela was suffering from the same symptoms.
The office manager told police she noticed James’ strange behavior in the office after his wife fell ill.
“During Angela’s stay in the hospital, James had conversations with her [the office manager] where he told her he didn’t think his wife would make it. In the same conversation, James asked about business at the office. [The office manager] found it strange that James was concerned about his dental practice when his wife was in a serious medical condition,” according to the affidavit.
When asked about the cyanide, James allegedly told his business partner that he ordered cyanide for their dental office, but his business partner claimed there was no medical reason or purpose for that compound in the dental office , according to the affidavit.
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James denied that cyanide was inside the package and claimed it was a ring he was going to give to Angela as a surprise. According to the affidavit, James later retracted and said the package contained potassium cyanide, but he claimed he ordered it for Angela because she didn’t have the proper credentials to order it herself.
According to the arrest affidavit, a social worker who met with the Craig family told investigators that James said Angela had been suicidal for a while. The social worker said James said he had to revive Angela on several occasions.
However, according to the affidavit, James never reported any of the alleged incidents or sought medical attention for Angela.
At one point, the office manager said James told her Angela accused him of poisoning her. Angela said something to James along the lines of “there are poisons that don’t test”.
Other people in the dental office also thought James might be responsible for Angela’s illness.
The office manager also told police he knew James and Angela were having marital problems and had told Angela he wanted a divorce.
Search warrant shows poison orders, suspect search history
On March 16, the APD obtained a search warrant for the Craig family, and James turned over both his and Angela’s cell phones, as well as the laptop he used at work.
According to the arrest affidavit, while going through Angela’s phone, detectives found multiple text exchanges between her and James about her symptoms and times in the hospital. At one point, Angela texts James that she feels drugged, and James replies, “Given our history, I know it must be a trigger. Just for the record, I didn’t drug you. I’m super worried though. You were really pale before I left… As in your lips too.
One of Angela’s family members reportedly told police that James drugged her five to six years ago.
Investigators also looked at James’ computer and search history. During their research, investigators discovered “how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human being?” and “Is arsenic detectable in the autopsy?” they were both googled.
The search history also showed “Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs Of Foul Play”, “How To Make Poison” and “Top 10 Deadliest Plants (They Can Kill You)” were all searched on YouTube.
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James also allegedly sought out chemical suppliers in Aurora. According to the affidavit, an email belonging to the name Jim Craig placed multiple orders related to poisons. The email also contained communications with a woman he may have been having an affair with.
According to investigators, the emails between James and the woman were intimate in nature and contained sexually explicit conversations. The emails also revealed the woman’s travel plans from the Austin airport to Colorado on March 8-10. Angela was in the hospital from March 9 to 14.
According to Angela’s family member, this alleged relationship is not the first. The witness claimed that James has had multiple affairs with multiple women.
Probable cause of arrest
According to investigators, during the investigation, they heard that James did everything to kill his wife.
He used Angela’s suicidal ideation as an alleged cover story. He presumably researched more “undetectable poisons” and bought some. He presumably intended to fly with another woman while his wife was sick in hospital. He allegedly administered the poison to Angela through protein shakes.
With all this information, investigators believe they have found more than enough evidence to arrest James on first-degree premeditated manslaughter.
