This story was initially posted on March 23. It was up to date on Jan. 4, 2025.
In Aurora, Colorado, James Craig was a widely known dentist. He and his spouse Angela Craig had been elevating six youngsters. On March 6, 2023, Angela Craig reported feeling sick and her husband took her to a hospital.
There can be two hectic weeks and three hospital visits. On March 15, Angela Craig was placed on life help; three days later, she was useless. Within hours, James Craig can be charged with first-degree homicide. He has pleaded not responsible.
Angela Craig’s post-mortem revealed she had been poisoned. And police declare the proof factors to her husband — alleging he searched on-line movies about poison after which bought potassium cyanide and arsenic.
Podcaster Steffan Tubbs, who lined the case, says police allege within the arrest warrant that James Craig had made a Google seek for “How many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human?” Authorities consider he went additional, lacing his spouse’s drinks with poison. “He administered, allegedly the poison through her protein shakes,” mentioned Tubbs.
Skye Lazaro, an lawyer accustomed to instances involving poison, tells “48 Hours” contributor Natalie Morales that James Craig’s protection may argue that police rushed to arrest him. “It’s basically a three-day investigation,” she mentioned of the time it took police to cost him along with his spouse’s homicide.
James Craig’s protection has mentioned he has a historical past of melancholy and had sought counseling up to now. Lazaro says they may argue he purchased poison to not use on Angela Craig — however on himself.
As for these allegedly poisoned protein shakes, Lazaro says that from what she’s seen of the proof made public up to now, “The state hasn’t introduced you any proof that the poison was really within the drink,” she mentioned.
ANGELA CRAIG TEXTS HER HUSBAND “I FEEL DRUGGED”
On March 18, 2023, within the Denver suburb of Aurora, Angela Craig died. Just days later, former radio persona Steffan Tubbs started his podcast in regards to the sensational case and the unimaginable information.
STEFFAN TUBBS (“Arsenic, DDS” podcast): I wish to personally ship our condolences to the family and friends of Angela Craig, simply 43 years outdated. She handed away, declared mind useless … And not misplaced on me … is the truth that this household has been briefly … destroyed.
James Craig had been nearly instantly charged with the first-degree homicide of his spouse Angela. He has pleaded not responsible. The story of the dentist, his spouse and the allegedly poisoned shakes can be advised around the globe.
Steffan Tubbs: Come on. A dentist. Allegedly ordering potassium cyanide and arsenic. Really?
But it was all as painfully actual as a dentist’s drill.
Chelsea Otoya: Dr. Craig and Angela Craig had been identical to two peas in a pod.
Chelsea Otoya: The two of them within the workplace was cute trigger they might play pranks on one another all day lengthy.
Chelsea Otoya bought to know James and Angela Craig when she labored for Dr. Craig at Summerbrook Dental.
Chelsea Otoya: They appeared like the right couple.
Until, based on Colorado police, James took his shot on the good crime.
CBS NEWS STREAMING NETWORK: Investigators say he researched poisons within the days main as much as his spouse’s loss of life.
The concept that the dentist stood accused of murdering Angela, his spouse of 23 years, appeared incomprehensible as a result of the Craigs appeared so shut.
Chelsea Otoya: It simply was heartbreaking for everybody, and I felt unhealthy.
Steffan Tubbs (driving): Coming up on our left, the previous residence of Summerbrook Dental.
For Tubbs, the workplace constructing as soon as residence to Summerbrook, has grow to be a tragic touchstone.
Steffan Tubbs (driving): The final time that I had eye contact with Dr. Jim Craig, he gave me a root canal.
Steffan Tubbs: I believed he was an amazing man. I bought extremely competent pleasant care. … He was a household man. We talked about his household, his youngsters … I — I met his spouse.
Angela Craig was the guts and soul of that household — mom to their six youngsters and a hands-on companion in what appeared like a thriving enterprise.
Steffan Tubbs: She was not someone simply sit there and keep quiet. She was engaged within the dental apply. … She was someone who was speaking about concepts, and their advertising and marketing, their message.
Tubbs helped refine that message, engaged on a few of Summerbrook’s promoting. He witnessed how these two peas in a pod labored aspect by aspect, with Angela pitching in as considered one of Jim’s workplace managers.
Steffan Tubbs: I believed it was type of cool. You know, you’ve got bought a husband and spouse, large household. I believed it was — it was nice to see a small Colorado enterprise operated by, , husband and spouse.
Tubbs’ podcast would delve into the disturbing particulars of Angela’s medical journey: how and why she was allegedly murdered. That account from police is contained in a 52-page arrest warrant.
Steffan Tubbs: In almost 34 years of being a newsman, essentially the most unbelievable and seemingly thorough arrest affidavit I’ve ever learn.
The warrant alleges that “James has proven the planning and intent to finish his spouse’s life by looking for methods to kill somebody undetected.”
Steffan Tubbs: This was not the James Craig that I knew.
The James Craig Aurora knew was on show that March 6, 2023, the day Angela’s odyssey started. James was at Summerbrook Dental when Angela texted from residence: “My eyes do not wish to focus.” She texted “I feel drugged.”
James Craig headed proper residence.
He picked up Angela and drove to the ER at Parker Adventist Hospital. She reported feeling dizzy and weak. Doctors quick went to work.
Natalie Morales: She finally ends up going into the hospital, first time was March sixth, is that right?
George Brauchler: That’s proper. March sixth was her first time into the hospital.
At the time, George Brauchler was one other pressure in Colorado speak radio.
He can be the previous elected district lawyer for Arapahoe County, the place Angela Craig lived and would die, rattling this group.
George Brauchler: This is a large story.
Like Tubbs, Brauchler has immersed himself within the particulars of Angela’s closing days—a determined two-week ordeal. But on that March 6, because the hours handed within the ER, there have been plenty of questions, however few solutions.
George Brauchler: They actually did not have a great reply for what she was going by and … they find yourself releasing her and sending her residence.
Home — the place Angela Craig appeared to suppose she was protected in her marriage. At least that is how she sounded in messages the couple despatched one another, with Angela now residence, recuperating from her ER go to.
George Brauchler: There had been texts … that may recommend a really supportive loving relationship.
James Craig texts, “I really like you. It was so good hanging out with you and simply watching a present and snuggling.” Angela Craig texts James: “Hi Baby! I really like your face.”
Back residence, the busy couple picked up the day by day routine that sustained them.
George Brauchler: Jim and Angela apparently labored out within the morning. They labored out collectively. And one of many issues that Jim did for his spouse was to organize her a protein shake … It was an absolute routine.
George Brauchler: This was simply a part of the conventional day.
James Craig texts: “I’ll have to ask what you are hungry for and produce it to you. I’m kinda feeling only a smoothie or one thing.”
“I’m not feeling something.” Angela Craig replies. “Don’t carry something, I’ll eat one thing right here.”
Within 24 hours, Angela Craig’s signs got here again quick and robust. She headed again to Parker Adventist. This time she can be admitted.
Steffan Tubbs: The medical doctors and nurses are attempting. They’re conducting assessments. … They simply can not work out what’s ailing this comparatively regular and wholesome 43-year-old lady.
George Brauchler: All the steps that the medical doctors and medical employees had taken appeared to not be working. … it was an actual thriller.
UNRAVELING A MEDICAL MYSTERY
Steffan Tubbs: There was nothing that may be even remotely a crimson flag, or this can be a rocky, troubled marriage. None of that in any respect.
With Angela Craig nonetheless terribly sick, in March 2023 she was again at Parker Adventist a second time, now as an admitted affected person. According to the warrant throughout her keep, Angela Craig texted her husband James Craig to say, “Now I’m hungry” and he texted again later that was bringing meals, writing “Ok I gotchu.”
George Brauchler: The loving husband who needs to see his spouse stay wholesome.
Aurora Police Department
That arrest warrant comprises quite a few texts detailing how as Angela Craig was hospitalized, James Craig went backwards and forwards from their residence to her bedside to Summerbrook — a husband seemingly supporting his spouse and caring for his or her youngsters.
Steffan Tubbs: He’s persevering with to go to work, and I do not begrudge him for that. He’s bought a household of six youngsters.
And the warrant would present that obvious belief that Angela Craig positioned in James, how she reached out to him to share her signs, texting, “I’m chilly, tremendous drained, weak, shaky and dizzy”
And James Craig despatched compassionate texts to Angela Craig: “I really like you and miss you and I’m so apprehensive. I want you had been wholesome sufficient to return residence tonight and snuggle me.”
Steffan Tubbs: Angela Craig was so sick.
It appeared that every one her signs had returned.
Steffan Tubbs: She had horrible complications. Horrible nausea … She was dizzy. … And medical doctors had been at a loss.
George Brauchler: Struggling to determine what within the hell is inflicting this. What is making her sick?
Steffan Tubbs: And they simply couldn’t get a solution.
As Angela Craig stayed within the hospital and not using a analysis, James Craig was in contact along with his mates Michelle and Ryan Redfearn.. Ryan Redfearn, a fellow dentist, had just lately grow to be enterprise companions with James Craig, he would later inform police.
George Brauchler: Ryan Redfearn went to dental faculty with Jim Craig all these 20-plus years in the past. He’d identified him all that point. … He was an in depth confidant.
And with Angela Craig so sick, based on the warrant, James Craig additionally texted with Ryan’s spouse, Michelle Redfearn, educated as a nurse.
Natalie Morales: What had been they texting about?
George Brauchler: The texts had been actually the sorts of stuff you would trade with somebody who’s one other medical skilled. I imply, he was speaking about blood stress. He was speaking about issues the medical doctors had expressed about symptomology … that ought to have resolved by now.
But considered one of James Craig’s texts, looking back, appeared odd, because it appeared he was making mild of Angela’s mysterious sickness.
Steffan Tubbs: Jim Craig texts Michelle Redfearn, quote, “If it wasn’t my spouse, this may be type of a enjoyable puzzle to attempt to work out, exclamation level.” Who says that?
Still, a foul joke in instances of disaster is not uncommon, says former DA Brauchler.
George Brauchler: Everybody reacts to trauma otherwise.
And James Craig appeared apprehensive. It had been 4 hectic days since Angela was admitted. Police say Jim advised others he was sleeping on a stool subsequent to Angela that night time when her important indicators crashed. Doctors responded by the night time.
Steffan Tubbs: I’ve considered each agonizing minute that Angela Craig was in.
But over the subsequent day Angela Craig appeared to stabilize. And on March 14, nonetheless with no solutions as to why she was sick, Angela was launched from Parker Adventist. Once once more, Angela Craig got here residence to her husband of 23 years. But she would not be residence for lengthy. Within a day she began feeling sick once more.
On March 15, she was admitted to close by University Hospital. There can be extra tubes, assessments and screens. James Craig was quickly by her aspect.
Steffan Tubbs: They had no thought what was unsuitable together with her.
Police say James Craig did not keep lengthy at first. Within half an hour, he drove residence from the hospital. Then about an hour-and-a-half later, he returned, carrying meals. Police say he then went into Angela Craig’s room, alone. Soon after, Angela Craig had a seizure and as soon as once more her important indicators crashed.
George Brauchler: It was important.
James Craig took pictures of his spouse as hospital employees tried to avoid wasting her.
George Brauchler: She is stepping into dire, dire medical penalties.
Angela Craig, as soon as so lively, was placed on life help.
George Brauchler: Doctors are struggling to determine what within the hell is inflicting this? What is making her sick?
What medical employees did not know on the time was that days earlier, based on police, a package had arrived at James Craig’s workplace. Authorities say what was in that package deal, ordered by James Craig himself, would grow to be key proof on this case. James Craig allegedly advised a employees member “that he can be receiving a private package deal” and “to not open it.”
Steffan Tubbs: Jim Craig had mentioned do not open this package deal. Somebody did. She sees the phrases “potassium cyanide.”
Steffan Tubbs: Why are we getting potassium cyanide to a Colorado dentist’s workplace?
A PACKAGE MARKED POISON
Angela Craig was on life help and combating to outlive. James Craig texted the pictures he took to Michelle Redfearn, writing “crash” “intubated” and “doc says she’s ‘very very apprehensive’.” The couple raced to the hospital.
Ryan Redfearn would later inform police he watched as James Craig broke down.
Natalie Morales: He noticed Craig crying after chatting with medical doctors about Angela’s prognosis.
George Brauchler: Yep. He did say he noticed him crying afterwards.
But based on police, Ryan Redfearn was removed from satisfied these tears had been actual. That’s as a result of, on his method to the hospital, he had gotten a name from a employees member on the workplace. The name was to alert Ryan Redfearn about that package deal marked potassium cyanide that had arrived at Summerbrook Dental — allegedly addressed and later given to James Craig.
Steffan Tubbs: And there’s the dominoes that are actually falling one after the opposite.
Ryan Redfearn led the way in which.
George Brauchler: He does what another regular individual would do.
According to police, whereas Angela Craig was on life help, Ryan Redfearn tells a nurse that James Craig “just lately ordered Potassium Cyanide,” including that there was no medical purpose or objective to order Potassium Cyanide for a dental apply.”
Steffan Tubbs: The nurse, being a compulsory reporter, calls Aurora police, and I imply it is like that. Within 5 hours, in all probability even much less, there’s a member of the murder unit with Aurora P.D. is at University Hospital.
Police began asking questions. Then, based on the warrant, “Ryan acquired a name from James’s private cellular phone.”
Natalie Morales: Tell me about that cellphone name.
George Brauchler: I feel Ryan and his spouse are within the parking zone of the hospital when Jim calls them.
According to police, James Craig requested Ryan Redfearn “if he had mentioned something to the hospital employees.” Ryan Redfearn confirmed that he had and advised James Craig that he knew what James Craig had ordered. And James Craig replied that the “package deal was a hoop for Angela and that he needed to shock her.”
George Brauchler: And Ryan … says, “… it isn’t a hoop, we all know what was in there.” I imply this can be a testomony to Ryan Redfearn.
A decades-long friendship was about to be examined, then shattered. This story was as soon as once more advised in a textual content, revealed in that warrant, as the subsequent morning James Craig pleaded along with his pal and companion, texting partially: “I wish to make an pressing plea to you. … please do not speak to anybody … together with any legislation enforcement officers. You are beneath no obligation to reply their questions until you might be served a subpoena and you’ll do extra injury than good to my household by persevering with to insert your self into this.”
Natalie Morales: How damning is that textual content in itself?
George Brauchler: I’m making an attempt to think about all of the harmless purposes of the phrase, please do not speak to the police. I am unable to provide you with any.
George Brauchler: It’s a determined effort to attempt to maintain Ryan from cooperating any farther with legislation enforcement.
But if that is what he was making an attempt to do, it was too late. Police had already launched their investigation.
On March 18, 2023, Angela Craig was taken off life help. A good friend, spouse, and mom of six was useless.
Chelsea Otoya: I used to be in full shock, in full disbelief. … In my head, I’m like, that is loopy, it isn’t true.
Chelsea Otoya: I believed perhaps it was an accident.
Aurora Police
But investigators did not suppose so. Just hours after Angela Craig died, Dr. James Craig can be arrested and charged with the first-degree homicide of his spouse.
Steffan Tubbs: There’s my dentist, a mugshot.
James Craig would plead not guilty. Months later, Angela Craig’s post-mortem can be launched. That post-mortem states Angela Craig died from “deadly concentrations of cyanide” and “a deadly focus” of tetrahydrozoline, the chemical present in some eye drops. And it says that Angela Craig had “poisonous concentrations” of arsenic in her blood in these two earlier hospital visits.
Steffan Tubbs: To take into consideration what Angela Craig endured. … This lady was in agony, dying, for thus lengthy.
Just every week earlier than Angela Craig bought sick, based on the warrant, James Craig arrange a brand new e mail account utilizing the alias “Jim and Waffles” and used it to analysis a number of poisons — all a part of his plan, based on investigators, to homicide Angela Craig.
Steffan Tubbs: One specific Google search, “what number of grams of pure arsenic will kill a human?”
James Craig, investigators say, additionally discovered movies on-line with titles like “Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Sign Of Foul Play.”
And police say on the identical day he did that on-line analysis, James Craig made a purchase order — arsenic — and had it delivered straight to his household’s mailbox.
George Brauchler: I feel he legitimately believed that he would be capable of poison his spouse, she would die, he would have her cremated. And then they’d … transfer on.
Poison. Some name it the recipe for the right crime. A silent, invisible killer — no blood, no gun, no fingerprints. Even medical doctors can have a tough time recognizing it.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: It’s a reasonably uncommon medical subspecialty.
Doctor Jeff LaPoint is the director of the division of medical toxicology at San Diego’s Kaiser Permanente Hospital.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: If it is a poison or a venom … that is what we focus on.
Natalie Morales: You’re that man?
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: Yeah.
So “48 Hours” requested him, and Dr. LaPoint targeted in on the alleged actions of James Craig and the ultimate days of Angela Craig’s life.
He reviewed the arrest warrant for us, and a number of the lethal medicine it lists.
Natalie Morales: Let’s begin with arsenic.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: OK … yeah, arsenic is a really well-known poison. It’s … not detectable by style or odor.
LaPoint says Angela Craig’s signs in these first two hospital visits are in line with arsenic poisoning.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: Nausea and vomiting.
Natalie Morales: Lower blood stress, larger blood stress?
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: Generally decrease.
Natalie Morales: How a lot would kill an individual?
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: It doesn’t take very a lot.
But police say there was extra. Every week after he bought that arsenic, they allege James Craig — as “Jim and Waffles”— went again on-line. He ordered a second poison.
Natalie Morales: Oleandrin, what’s that?
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: So, oleandrin is a toxin present in oleander.
Natalie Morales: I’m pondering of these white flowers.
Jeff LaPoint: Yeah, they’re actually stunning.
As beautiful as a rose. Only lethal.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: It prevents the guts from beating very effectively.
But after three days, the oleandrin hadn’t been delivered. That’s when investigators say James Craig upped the ante. Police say he positioned an order with a medical provide firm for his strongest toxin but: potassium cyanide.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: Cyanide is likely one of the handiest poisons that exist.
Natalie Morales: Just a microdose may kill you then?
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: Yeah, a really small quantity per kilogram and you are not gonna dwell. … When you might be poisoned with cyanide, you are being suffocated on a mobile degree. … It’s a really potent poison. … Your sufferer would die very quickly.
Cyanide is so lethal that you simply want a medical license to purchase it. And police say that when Dr. James Craig positioned his order from a medical provide firm, he said he wanted it for a posh dental process.
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: There’s no use for potassium cyanide in my apply or I am unable to consider many medical practices.
Natalie Morales: So, a dentist ordering arsenic, potassium cyanide and oleandrin … What does that recommend to you?
Dr. Jeff LaPoint: Someone is making an attempt to gather poison.
But this father and husband would supply a really totally different story about why he needed these lethal poisons.
WAS INTEREST IN ANOTHER WOMAN A MOTIVE FOR MURDER?
Detectives suspected James Craig had purchased all these poisons to kill his spouse, however they needed to know why. They would discover a lead miles away from Aurora on a visit James Craig made — and a lady he met — simply earlier than Angela Craig bought sick.
Steffan Tubbs: Doesn’t it simply at all times appear to be there’s one other lady concerned? Always, nearly at all times.
“What occurs in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” It’s a rule of the street there, however investigators allege it’s but yet one more rule James Craig did not suppose he needed to play by, when he met Karin Cain.
Steffan Tubbs: Karin Cain, an orthodontist from Austin, Texas … She meets James Craig at a dental convention in Las Vegas.
It was Feb. 23, a week-and-a-half earlier than Angela Craig first went to the hospital. The physician was touring alone. And he rolled the cube.
George Brauchler: They strike up a relationship.
Steffan Tubbs: They hit it off … it is a whirlwind.
A couple of weeks later, based on the warrant, Cain would fly to Colorado and rendezvous at a resort with James Craig. He would use that newly created e mail, “Jim and Waffles,” to flirt together with her.
Skye Lazaro: It’s not unlawful to have affairs.
Skye Lazaro is an skilled protection lawyer accustomed to instances involving poison. James Craig and his lawyer declined our request for an interview. Lazaro reviewed the case in opposition to James Craig for “48 Hours.” And she recognized potential weaknesses.
Skye Lazaro: Is it affordable that you’d kill your spouse to be with somebody that you simply had had a 10-day relationship with?
Natalie Morales: The widespread protection technique is affairs don’t make a assassin.
Skye Lazaro: Right. … One does not mechanically imply you probably did the opposite.
At the time she visited James Craig in Colorado, Cain did appear to know Angela Craig was very sick and within the hospital. In truth, she had despatched a involved e-mail to James Craig. It learn partially: “Hi honey, I’m so sorry for what has transpired this week in your world. … I’m praying for you and in search of God’s knowledge for this time. I really like you.”
But there is no such thing as a proof to recommend Cain knew something extra.
George Brauchler: Nothing that I’ve seen … offers any indication that she knew that Jim was making an attempt to kill his spouse.
And based on investigators, James Craig lied to Cain, telling her that he “filed for divorce and was residing separate in an condominium.”
Steffan Tubbs: He offers the usual male, typical, “I’m going by a divorce.” No, he is not.
And a detective mentioned she advised them her relationship with James Craig was “intimate however not sexual.” Cain despatched “48 Hours” an e mail, writing: “I had completely nothing to do with this horrific ‘crime’ and ‘my coronary heart is completely damaged for Angela Craig and her household.'” And she says she is “cooperating absolutely with the police and prosecution.”
Steffan Tubbs: Karin Cain … met the unsuitable man on the unsuitable time. … She did not know something.
CBS News
Tubbs and Brauchler suggest perhaps nobody knew something about who James Craig actually was. His pristine picture — loving guardian, church member, devoted husband—now all being questioned. And as cops continued to analyze, one other attainable motive emerged.
Steffan Tubbs: One of the issues that shocked me on this story … is the monetary duress that Summerbrook Dental was beneath.
In truth, James Craig’s enterprise had filed for chapter in 2020, and shortly after, his then-friend Ryan Redfearn signed on as a companion.
Natalie Morales: Financial issues?
George Brauchler: Financial issues.
Natalie Morales: He was manner in over his head then, in debt?
George Brauchler: Way in over his head.
And at a preliminary listening to in 2023, prosecutors argued that James Craig had “about 3.4 million causes to kill his spouse” — the worth of Angela Craig’s life insurance coverage.
George Brauchler: Jim had liabilities in extra of $2 million and we all know that from a number of the chapter filings.
But Lazaro says she’s not satisfied these monetary issues give James Craig a motive for homicide.
Natalie Morales: Is this kind of the portrait of a determined man?
Skye Lazaro: Not essentially.
Skye Lazaro: We see companies undergo chapter on a regular basis and are available out the opposite aspect.
And, as for any poisons he might have ordered, Lazaro states these purchases might not even be unlawful.
Skye Lazaro: He can legitimately buy it as a result of he has a DEA quantity.
Natalie Morales: As a physician. As a dentist, proper.
Skye Lazaro: Right.
Skye Lazaro: Just having it is not homicide.
Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm. Administering it. Right.
But based on the arrest paperwork, James Craig may need thought he had that found out, too. Authorities say he may have slipped the poison into a type of protein shakes he so usually made.
Natalie Morales: A morning routine at residence for instance.
George Brauchler: Yeah.
On that morning of March 15 — the day Angela Craig would lastly crash earlier than she was taken to the hospital, she was residence with James Craig. Investigators say that is when he might have made her a type of protein shakes and laced it with potassium cyanide.
George Brauchler: It is tasteless. It is odorless. It is colorless. It is basically hidable inside one thing like a shake.
Natalie Morales: And extremely deadly.
George Brauchler: Highly deadly.
But lawyer Lazaro counters the proof is probably not there. She has reviewed the transcripts from that July 2023 preliminary listening to and says there’s nothing there that exhibits James Craig put poison in Angela Craig’s shakes.
Skye Lazaro: They went and examined all the things in the home and did not discover any hint proof of there being arsenic or cyanide or something within the protein powder, within the protein bottles.
Skye Lazaro: The state hasn’t introduced you any proof that the poison was really within the drinks.
And Lazaro says the protection can paint an image of James Craig as a form and attentive companion.
Skye Lazaro: Jim’s textual content messages to Angela are extraordinarily loving and intensely caring. He repeatedly asks her how she’s doing. He tells her he loves her.
So if James Craig did not poison his spouse, who did? He had a narrative to inform about that.
WHAT ANGELA CRAIG’S AUTOPSY SHOWED
As Steffan Tubbs reported on his podcast, there could also be one other story to inform about James Craig and what occurred to Angela Craig. The story wasn’t about homicide; it was about suicide.
STEFFAN TUBBS (podcast): Craig says to the enterprise companion on the cellphone … she was simply enjoying hen.
According to the warrant, when Ryan Redfearn confronted James Craig in regards to the cyanide, James Craig allegedly mentioned that Angela Craig requested him to order it for her. That it was all a dare—type of a lethal sport of “hen.”
Steffan Tubbs: According to Jim Craig … She’s been threatening suicide. And this sport of hen is … Now … are you gonna take it?
But based on that 52-page warrant, none of Angela Craig’s relations advised police she was suicidal. A extra possible argument for the protection, says Lazaro, is that James Craig had been searching for cyanide to not kill Angela — however to kill himself.
Skye Lazaro: There was some statements that he, in reality, was suicidal, not her.
At that preliminary listening to in 2023, James Craig’s protection workforce mentioned he had spoken to a good friend about his personal previous plans to die by suicide, and that “Dr. Craig had made a press release” to that good friend that he was going to die by “suicide with one thing that was not traceable.” The protection identified that James Craig “suffered from melancholy” and went to counseling up to now.
And, the protection indicated, James Craig advised Angela Craig at one level that he had really drugged her years earlier, when he had tried to kill himself — hoping that whereas she was drugged, she would not have the option cease him.
Natalie Morales: It feels like there had been one thing that he had tried earlier than together with her.
Skye Lazaro: Mm-hmm. … That he had drugged her, in order that she would go to sleep, in order that he may go … basically kill himself. And she would not be there to render any help or name for assist.
Aurora Police
And bear in mind when Angela Craig first began feeling sick, and he or she texted James Craig: “I really feel drugged”? James Craig’s protection factors out that he texted again, “Given our historical past, I do know that should be triggering. Just for the report, I did not drug you.” The protection mentioned this textual content helps the story of James Craig’s previous melancholy and suicide makes an attempt.
But Lazaro says it is unlikely the protection would attempt to inform a jury that Jim and Angela Craig had been each making an attempt to die by suicide.
Skye Lazaro: You have to choose one in some unspecified time in the future.
Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.
Skye Lazaro: And it is both she’s suicidal … or that he is suicidal … and because of this he purchased the medicine.
But maybe essentially the most compelling proof authorities say they’ve is what Angela Craig left behind in her personal blood. That post-mortem revealed one thing investigators discover exceptional—the degrees of cyanide in Angela Craig’s physique really elevated whereas she was within the hospital on that closing day. The attainable implication?
Tubbs wonders if prosecutors will contend James Craig gave his spouse extra poison within the hospital.
Steffan Tubbs: If the allegations are true, that is about as merciless because it will get. Period.
James Craig’s protection has employed its personal toxicologist. And, come his trial for homicide, Lazaro says James Craig, harmless till confirmed responsible, might himself be portrayed as a sufferer — of cops too desperate to make a quick arrest.
Skye Lazaro: It’s basically a three-day investigation.
James Craig’s fast arrest, she says, might be a weak point for the state.
Skye Lazaro: You determined from the get-go that this needed to be poisoning … This was the foregone conclusion. … So you by no means went and appeared for the rest.
And as for that concept that poison is likely to be the important thing to somebody making an attempt to commit the right crime, toxicologist Dr. Jeff LaPoint says that’s simply plain unsuitable.
Jeff LaPoint: You’re going to get caught.
Natalie Morales: That’s an necessary message.
Jeff LaPoint: Yeah, very.
Natalie Morales: There are ways in which these shall be traced, and you may be discovered.
Jeff LaPoint: You’ll be discovered.
And whereas Angela Craig’s family and friends are ready for his or her day in courtroom, they’re left with images and their reminiscences.
Three of Jim and Angela Craig’s six youngsters reside with James Craig’s brother. The different three are actually adults residing on their very own, together with their daughter Mira. On Mother’s Day 2023, Mira wrote this message on social media: “as of tomorrow my mother shall be two months gone. I have never the phrases to precise the heartache my siblings and I really feel daily.”
Chelsea Otoya: There’s no phrases, ? … the entire scenario is simply traumatic.
Steffan Tubbs: This will all finish, the lights will come down, the cameras go away. Thirty years from now, these youngsters who’re of their teenagers proper now nonetheless shall be and not using a mother.
Mira’s final phrases in that put up: “I really like you a lot mama” … “we miss you.”
In November 2024, prosecutors charged Jim Craig with soliciting the homicide of one of many detectives on his case.
Soon after this, Craig’s lawyer requested to be launched from the case, citing a rule that enables attorneys to stop once they think about a shopper’s conduct to be “repugnant.”
No new trial date has been set.
“48 HOURS” POST MORTEM PODCAST
Host Anne-Marie Green, Natalie Morales and “48 Hours” producer Sarah Prior go behind the scenes, discussing how James Craig used his license to order potassium cyanide, the suspicious “jimandwaffles” e mail deal with he created simply weeks earlier than his spouse’s loss of life, and arguments the prosecution and protection may make when the case goes on trial.
Produced by Jamie Stolz and Sarah Prior. Elena DiFiore, David Dow and Michelle Sigona are the event producers. Doreen Schechter is the producer-editor. Gary Winter and Gregory Kaplan are the editors. Michael Loftus is the affiliate producer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.
