Colorado Dentist on Trial for Allegedly Poisoning Wife with Cyanide-Laced Shakes

A high-profile murder trial is underway in Colorado, where former Aurora dentist James Craig stands accused of killing his wife by poisoning her protein shakes with a deadly cocktail of chemicals. Prosecutors allege Craig, now 47, orchestrated a calculated plan to murder his wife, Angela Craig, after 23 years of marriage—driven by infidelity and financial strain.

According to court testimony, Angela, a mother of six, began experiencing severe symptoms including fainting spells, vomiting, and confusion in early March 2023. She was hospitalized multiple times before falling into a fatal seizure and dying on March 18, after being removed from life support. Toxicology reports later revealed lethal levels of cyanide, arsenic, and tetrahydrozoline—a chemical commonly found in eye drops—in her system.

Motive and Planning Alleged

Opening arguments delivered on July 15, 2025, painted a grim picture of Craig’s alleged premeditation. Prosecutors cited disturbing internet searches from his devices—queries like “how to make murder look like a heart attack” and “is arsenic traceable in an autopsy.” They also introduced evidence showing Craig had ordered both cyanide and arsenic online, using a business account and a pseudonym.

Video footage shown in court captured Angela confronting Craig in the hospital, accusing him of telling medical staff she was suicidal. Prosecutors argue this moment was a clear indication that Angela was not suicidal—undermining any defense that she may have taken her own life.

Teen Daughter Alleges Deepfake Plot

One of the most chilling moments of the trial came when Angela’s teenage daughter took the stand. She testified that her father asked her to participate in a scheme to create a fake video—purporting to show Angela asking to be poisoned. Craig allegedly provided step-by-step instructions in a handwritten letter, telling his daughter to use a burner laptop and a dark web browser to fabricate and plant the footage.

Both of the Craigs’ daughters told the jury that their mother was not suicidal and described her as a caring, hopeful woman who had recently begun making plans for the future.

Multiple Affairs and Suspicious Deliveries

Several witnesses, including coworkers and romantic partners, testified about Craig’s secret life. He had been involved in numerous affairs, including one with a fellow dentist from Texas and others through a dating platform for wealthy individuals. One woman recalled Craig joking about “purging” his wife in real life.

Caitlin Romero, who managed Craig’s dental office, testified that she saw a suspicious package delivered to Craig labeled “Jim Craig – Personal” and marked as a biohazard. The package, prosecutors allege, contained potassium cyanide. Romero also noticed Craig researching poisons at work and connected the dots between his online activity and Angela’s worsening condition.

Expert Testimony Links Toxins to Death

Medical professionals who treated Angela testified that her symptoms could not be explained by any known illness. A toxicologist from UCHealth confirmed the presence of highly elevated levels of cyanide, arsenic, and tetrahydrozoline in Angela’s system. These findings, they said, were consistent with deliberate poisoning.

In a shocking twist, prosecutors also claim Craig tried to orchestrate a murder-for-hire plot while behind bars—allegedly soliciting fellow inmates to kill the lead investigator in his case. He is further accused of trying to manipulate witnesses and create false narratives to protect himself from conviction.

Defense Pushes Back

Craig’s defense attorneys argue that the prosecution’s case is riddled with assumptions and faulty evidence. They claim Angela may have taken her own life and that investigators ignored this possibility in their rush to judgment. While they admitted Craig had extramarital affairs, they maintain that Angela was aware of them and that this was not a motive for murder.

They also disputed the credibility of the deepfake video plot, casting doubt on the reliability of jailhouse informants and the interpretation of toxicology results.

Craig has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and solicitation to commit murder and perjury. He remains in custody on a $10 million bond as the trial continues. The jury is expected to hear several more weeks of testimony before reaching a verdict.