DENVER, CO — A Colorado dentist is set to stand trial this week, accused of fatally poisoning his wife with cyanide in a case that has stunned investigators and shaken the community.
James Craig, 47, faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, and solicitation to commit perjury, in the 2023 death of his wife, Angela Craig, 43. Prosecutors allege Craig laced her protein shakes with a deadly combination of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, then attempted to stage her death as a suicide.
Jury selection in the high-profile case begins Monday.
Suspicious Death and Disturbing Evidence
Angela Craig died in March 2023 after suffering mysterious symptoms—headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Toxicology results later revealed cyanide and other toxins in her system, raising immediate red flags. Authorities say Craig had secretly ordered potassium cyanide, allegedly for surgical use, but the package was discovered by a colleague at his dental office on March 13.
Prosecutors also uncovered troubling online searches on Craig’s devices, including phrases like:
- “How to make a heart attack look natural”
- “Is arsenic detectable during an autopsy?”
They also allege he bought arsenic online while Angela was being treated for her unexplained illnesses.
A Marriage in Crisis
Angela and James Craig had been married for 23 years and shared six children. But behind the scenes, prosecutors claim Craig was leading a double life. He had reportedly been engaged in multiple affairs, including an ongoing relationship with an orthodontist in Austin, Texas, who flew in to visit him while Angela was hospitalized.
Footage from the Craigs’ home surveillance system, which prosecutors intend to present at trial, shows a confrontation between the couple. In it, Angela accuses her husband of misleading doctors into thinking she was suicidal:
“It’s your fault they treated me like I was a suicide risk… like nothing I said could be believed,” she tells him in the kitchen.
A judge has ruled the footage admissible, agreeing it undercuts the theory that Angela took her own life.
Alleged Cover-Up and Jailhouse Plot
Craig is also facing accusations of attempting to tamper with evidence and obstruct the investigation. According to prosecutors, he asked one jail inmate to plant fake letters in his home to make it appear Angela had been suicidal. He allegedly offered another inmate $20,000 to kill the lead investigator on the case.
Even more shockingly, prosecutors claim that Craig later sent letters to the ex-wife of that same inmate, offering her money to recruit people who would falsely testify that Angela had been planning suicide.
Two of Craig’s previous defense attorneys have withdrawn from the case—one citing ethical disagreements, and another after being charged with arson. Craig is now represented by attorney Lisa Fine Moses.
Family and Colleague Speak Out
Angela Craig’s brother, Mark Pray, described her death as the result of “torment and demise” inflicted by her husband. He said James Craig showed “a complete disregard for others,” including his own children.
Craig’s dental business partner, Ryan Redfearn, reportedly grew suspicious and voiced concerns to medical staff that Angela may have been poisoned. That tip was ultimately passed to police, sparking a full-scale investigation.
As the trial begins, prosecutors are expected to present a comprehensive timeline of evidence, including surveillance footage, online search history, and witness testimony aimed at proving Craig’s alleged plot to kill his wife and escape accountability.
