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Police: Colorado dentist accused of putting cyanide into wife’s protein shakes, killing her

AURORA, Colo. — Police believe a dentist poisoned his wife to death in Aurora, Colorado.

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The Aurora Police Department said in a news release that they arrested James Toliver Craig, 45, on Sunday morning.

Craig was charged with first-degree murder, accused of poisoning his wife to death, KMGH reported.

Police said just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Craig took his wife to the hospital because she was complaining of severe headaches and dizziness, according to the news outlet. It was her third visit to a hospital in a month, The Associated Press reported.

His wife’s condition worsened after she arrived at the hospital and was placed on a ventilator before being declared medically brain dead shortly after.

Police said Craig was arrested shortly after doctors decided to take his wife off life support.

Investigators believed Craig put arsenic into a protein shake he made for his wife, Angela Craig, 43, on March 6, according to court records obtained by the AP.

Despite the presence of arsenic, police said she survived.

The AP reported that James Craig then ordered a rush shipment of cyanide through his dentistry practice claiming he needed it for surgery.

Police officers said that he then put potassium cyanide into another protein shake before she went to the hospital last week.

James Craig allegedly ordered another substance called Oleandrin. According to the AP, authorities intercepted it before he could get it as part of their investigation.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the AP, James Craig allegedly told his dental practice partner and friend, Ryan Redfearn, that he ordered the potassium cyanide for his wife. He reportedly told a social worker that she had become suicidal since he asked for a divorce back in December. Their children didn’t say anything to investigators about any suicide attempts.

Redfearn also told investigators that James Craig was facing bankruptcy and was having marital issues, according to the AP. Angela Craig’s sister, Toni Kofoed, told investigators that he had drugged his wife five years prior with an unknown substance in preparation for killing himself and not wanting her to save him.

Police said they also believe that James Craig met with a woman while his wife was in the hospital. It was believed that he was planning to start a new life with her, according to court records obtained by the AP.

“When the suspicious details of this case came to light, our team of officers and homicide detectives tirelessly worked to uncover the truth behind the victim’s sudden illness and death,” said Division Chief Mark Hildebrand in the news release. “It was quickly discovered this was in fact a heinous, complex, and calculated murder. I am very proud of our Major Crimes Homicide Unit’s hard work in solving this case and pursuing justice for the victim.”