20/20: The After Show – “21 Days to Murder”

Release Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Deborah Roberts (A)
Guest: Lindsay Schwartz, 20/20 Producer (B)
Special Interview: Dr. Karen Cain (E)

Overview

This episode of “20/20: The After Show” dives deep into the case of James Craig, a respected Colorado dentist convicted of murdering his wife, Angela, by poisoning her. Host Deborah Roberts and producer Lindsay Schwartz discuss the complexities and hidden truths behind the seemingly perfect Craig family, community shock, the damning digital evidence, and the broader impacts on those touched by the crime—including an exclusive interview with Karen Cain, a woman deceived by Craig's lies. The episode shines a light on domestic violence, deception, and the resilience of victims' families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Craigs: A Picture-Perfect Family Image Crumbles

[00:33–03:28]

• The Craig family appeared affluent and enviable: James was a well-known dentist, Angela a dedicated mother of six, living in a million-dollar home in Aurora, CO.
• Community perception: “He was just someone that people liked. And still, even after the fact, we still hear people that say, I really liked James Craig. He was a really nice guy.” – Lindsay Schwartz (04:11)
• The family was active socially and in church, regularly hosting neighbors, exemplifying an ideal family life.

Community Shock and Deception

[03:43–05:41]

• Neighbors and church friends were heartbroken and shocked by the revelation—James lived a double life, betraying their trust and values.
• The depth of the deception left many grappling with reconciling the “good dentist” they knew with the man on trial for murder.

Who Was Angela Craig?

[05:41–07:41]

• Angela: a devoted mother, religious, passionate about genealogy, adventurous with her sister, deeply involved with her children and faith.
• “She was just ... a strong person. She had a lot of depth to her, and people talked a lot about her humor.” – Lindsay Schwartz (06:34)
• The episode emphasizes Angela’s rich life, refusing to let her be defined solely as a crime victim.

The “Why”: James Craig’s Double Life and Motive

[07:41–08:31]

• Investigations and court records reveal James had multiple affairs and a history of deception, starting years before Angela’s murder.
• 2018 incident: reported suicide attempt, with evidence that Craig drugged Angela so she wouldn’t intervene.
• His double life—between public respectability and private deceit—created mounting pressure, contributing to his criminal choices.

The Digital Trail & Affair with Dr. Karen Cain

[10:09–12:25]

• Police discovered incriminating online searches: “How many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human?” and “can it be found in an autopsy?”
• Significant evidence gathered from text messages, including communications with two women: Carrie Haggiseth (affair partner from seeking.com) and Dr. Karen Cain (met at a convention weeks before the murder).
• Key texts pointed to Angela being described as a “problem” Craig wanted to “get rid of.”
• Digital evidence was central to the prosecution, establishing motive and premeditation.

Exclusive Interview: Dr. Karen Cain

[12:25–15:07]

• Dr. Cain shares her emotional ordeal—believing James Craig was divorcing, falling for his lies, and later grasping the full extent of his deceit.
• Memorable quote:
  “It's a hard thing to decide what you take away as a lesson and without letting it change your heart and your personality and, like, who you are as a person.” – Dr. Karen Cain (13:09)
• She was blindsided by the truth, feeling manipulated and struggling to process her involvement as an unwitting participant.

Further Deception: Manipulation and Schemes from Jail

[15:54–17:01]

• Even after arrest, Craig attempted to interfere with the investigation:
  • Tried to enlist his 18-year-old daughter to make a deepfake video of Angela implying suicide.
  • Planned (unsuccessfully) to put a hit out on the lead detective.
  • Offered dental work and promises of money to fellow inmates as bribes.
• Investigators were “blown away by this”; the depth and persistence of Craig’s manipulations were described as depravity.

Trial and Aftermath

[17:01–18:32]

• Craig was convicted and sentenced to life without parole.
• Dr. Karen Cain testifies, later meeting Angela’s family—a profound moment for all parties:
  • “She thought she would come off the stand and have this weight lifted off her. And she said she just couldn't shake seeing those kids and meeting what a lovely family and really realizing that these people will have to deal with this for the rest of their life.” – Lindsay Schwartz (18:10)
• Family quickly recognized Karen Cain was another victim, not a co-conspirator.

Remembering Angela

[18:32–19:57]

• Angela’s family wants her remembered as loyal, loving, strong, and deeply faithful.
• Her brother, Mark Prey, offered a poignant statement in court:
  “In the Mormon community they believe that they will see their family member in the afterlife ... he stands up and says, James Craig, you won't be part of that. But we'll see Angela again and that love she had will remain.” – (19:31)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the shock to the community:
  “The neighbors looked at the Craig family as the place where everybody would convene ... when the neighbors talked to us, at first they were just completely shocked.” – Lindsay Schwartz (04:42)
• On Angela’s character:
  “She was a very strong woman. She had a lot of depth to her, and people talked a lot about her humor. And the whole family, her siblings, they all talk about how they all joke with each other. And Angie was just part of that. Really fun, loving, smart, and a great mom.” – Lindsay Schwartz (06:34)
• On Dr. Karen Cain’s regret:
  “That definitely felt like excess naivety, you know, coming out of this. It's like I look back at the time, the three weeks getting to know him and how much I leaned in and how much I just accepted truth ... it's a hard thing.” – Dr. Karen Cain (13:09)
• On Craig’s post-arrest schemes:
  “He was, as you said, asking his daughter, who was 18, to create a deep fake video that ... would be of Angela saying that she wanted to kill herself. He then tried to take a hit out on the lead detective ... the depth of what he did and the deception, it just went on and on and on.” – Lindsay Schwartz (16:24)
• On faith and family love:
  “They want people to know that Angela will be with them, she is with them and that love will be with them to the end.” – Lindsay Schwartz (19:48)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:33 | Introduction to the case & guest Lindsay Schwartz | | 03:43 | Community reaction to the case | | 05:41 | Who Angela Craig was | | 07:41 | James Craig’s double life & possible motives | | 10:09 | Digital evidence & incriminating searches/texts | | 12:25 | Dr. Karen Cain exclusive interview | | 15:54 | Craig's attempted manipulation from jail | | 17:24 | Aftermath: Cain meets the family, sentencing | | 18:32 | Angela’s family perspective & legacy |

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a respectful, empathetic, and thorough tone, balancing investigative curiosity with compassion for all the individuals affected by the crime. Both hosts and interviewees speak candidly, often softly, about hard truths and the enduring human consequences of deception and violence.

Summary

This “After Show” provides not only a behind-the-scenes look at the reporting on the James Craig case, but also a sensitive portrait of the family, the broad circle of impacted lives, and the investigative and emotional rigor involved in telling these stories. Through interviews, exclusive insights, and a focus on remembering Angela Craig beyond the headlines, “20/20” underscores the profound effects of hidden abuse, lies, and the resilience of those left behind.