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The Poison Dentist: Inside The Shocking Case Of James Craig, The Colorado DDS Sentenced To Life

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The shocking case of James Craig, the seemingly respectable Colorado dentist who orchestrated the murder of his wife, Angela Craig, has reached its definitive conclusion, cementing his place in the annals of true crime history. As of December 2025, the former owner of Summerbrook Dental Group in Aurora, Colorado, is no longer a practicing DDS but an inmate, having been found guilty of first-degree murder for poisoning his wife with a lethal concoction of cyanide and eye drops. This article delves into the chilling details of the case, the motives that drove a professional to commit such a heinous act, and the lasting impact on the community and his family.

The story of James Toliver Craig captivated the nation, peeling back the veneer of a successful suburban life to reveal a dark undercurrent of financial distress and marital betrayal. The evidence presented during the high-profile trial painted a picture of a calculated, cold-blooded plan to eliminate his wife to escape mounting debt and pursue a new life with a romantic partner, a narrative that shocked his patients, colleagues, and the wider dental community.

James Toliver Craig: Biography and Case Profile

James Toliver Craig, DDS, was widely known in the Denver metro area as a dedicated general and cosmetic dentist before his arrest in March 2023. His professional life in Aurora, CO, stood in stark contrast to the chaotic personal life that court documents would later expose. Here is a detailed profile of the man at the center of the "poison dentist" case:

  • Full Name: James Toliver Craig, DDS
  • Age at Conviction: 47 (Arrested at age 45)
  • Profession: General and Cosmetic Dentist
  • Former Practice: Summerbrook Dental Group, Aurora, Colorado
  • Victim: Angela Craig (Wife of 23 years)
  • Children: Six
  • Date of Arrest: March 2023
  • Primary Charge: First-Degree Murder
  • Poisoning Agents: Potassium Cyanide and Tetrahydrozoline (found in eye drops)
  • Motive: Financial distress (up to $2 million in debt) and multiple extramarital affairs
  • Verdict: Guilty of First-Degree Murder and five additional felony counts
  • Sentence: Life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 33 years

The Calculated Plot: Cyanide, Protein Shakes, and a Double Life

The investigation into Angela Craig’s sudden and severe illness in March 2023 quickly pointed to an insidious plot orchestrated by her husband. Angela, a dedicated mother, began experiencing debilitating symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and extreme fatigue, which she initially attributed to a combination of illness and stress. The symptoms, however, were consistent with slow-acting poisoning.

Prosecutors successfully argued that James Craig was systematically poisoning his wife over a period of about 10 days. The primary vehicle for the poison was her daily protein shake, which he allegedly began lacing with Tetrahydrozoline, a common ingredient in eye drops, to cause initial distress. When this failed to achieve the desired result, Craig escalated his efforts, turning to the deadly compound, potassium cyanide.

The level of premeditation in the case was a significant factor in the jury’s decision. Evidence showed that James Craig had conducted extensive online searches for poisons, including "how to murder someone without getting caught" and "is cyanide detectable in an autopsy." Crucially, he had also ordered the potassium cyanide online, telling the supplier it was for his dental practice, a claim the supplier found suspicious and later reported to authorities.

The financial and romantic motives were central to the prosecution’s case. Craig was reportedly facing severe financial hardship, with his dental practice and personal life burdened by approximately $2 million in debt. Furthermore, testimony revealed he was engaged in multiple affairs, including a serious relationship with a Texas orthodontist whom he had flown out to visit while his wife was fighting for her life in the hospital.

The Trial and Conviction: Justice for Angela Craig

The murder trial, which took place in Arapahoe County District Court, became a national spectacle. The court heard harrowing testimony from Angela Craig’s co-workers, family, and the medical staff who treated her, all of whom detailed her rapid decline. Angela’s final, desperate text messages to a friend, in which she expressed feeling "drugged," were presented as powerful evidence of her husband’s betrayal.

The defense attempted to argue that Angela had committed suicide, a theory that the prosecution dismantled by presenting the overwhelming evidence of James Craig's calculated purchases, deceptive online searches, and his affairs. The jury ultimately rejected the defense’s claims, finding James Craig guilty of first-degree murder after a relatively short deliberation period in July 2025.

The verdict also included guilty findings on five additional felony counts, including tampering with evidence. The conviction was a massive relief for Angela’s family and friends, who had waited over two years for justice. The trial highlighted the extraordinary efforts of the Aurora Police Department’s Major Crimes Homicide Unit and the lead investigators who meticulously pieced together the digital and circumstantial evidence.

The Sentence and Aftermath: Life in Prison

In a final, decisive court session, James Craig was officially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder charge. An additional 33 years were added for the other felony counts, ensuring he would spend the rest of his life incarcerated.

This sentence brought a definitive end to the public saga of the "poison dentist." The case serves as a chilling reminder of the dark secrets that can lurk beneath a polished professional exterior. The entities involved—from the Summerbrook Dental Group, which had to manage the fallout, to the Arapahoe County court system, which handled the complex trial—were all profoundly affected.

The legacy of James Toliver Craig is now permanently tied to the brutal murder of his wife, Angela Craig, a mother of six whose life was tragically cut short by the person she trusted most. His professional title as "DDS" has been replaced by the grim reality of a life sentence, a consequence of his desperate bid to escape debt and pursue his extramarital affairs.

The story continues to be studied by legal and true crime experts, detailing the use of sophisticated poisons like potassium cyanide and the modern trail of digital breadcrumbs that ultimately led to his conviction. For the six children left without a mother, the community will continue to rally around them as they navigate a future shaped by their father's shocking crime.

The Poison Dentist: Inside the Shocking Case of James Craig, the Colorado DDS Sentenced to Life
james craig dentist
james craig dentist

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