Dateline NBC: Secrets of Exam Room 9

Aired: September 9, 2025
Host: Andrea Canning (Reporter), Lester Holt (Host)

Overview

This episode of Dateline NBC unravels the chilling true-crime saga of James Craig, a well-liked Aurora, Colorado dentist and father of six, whose wife Angela's sudden and inexplicable illness and death turns from a medical mystery into a murder investigation. Through interviews with family, friends, detectives, and prosecutors, the episode reconstructs the events leading up to Angela’s death, exposing deception, infidelity, and a sinister plot involving undetectable poisons—all ultimately leading to a sensational trial and a life sentence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Angela and James Craig: The Seemingly Perfect Family

• Angela's Persona: Described as authentic, active, and deeply involved in her children's lives.
  • "She was who she was. And that, for me, was probably the most beautiful thing about her." – Vivian Fundermerva (04:03)
• James’ Public Image: The fun, generous dad and successful local dentist, adored by neighbors and patients.
  • "Jim was always the fun dad, just like the perfect, cool dad." – Vivian (04:59)

2. Angela’s Sudden Decline and Death

• Medical Mystery: Angela experiences perplexing symptoms—dizziness, weakness, passing out—resulting in repeated ER visits and hospital stays.
  • "The hospital staff were like, we've done all these tests and we can't find a medical reason for this rapid decline." – Det. Bobby Olson (03:00, 10:59)
• Final Days: Angela’s condition deteriorates rapidly after her husband gives her antibiotics (allegedly laced with poison).
  • "Once she consumed that antibiotic, is when she got violently sick again." – Det. Bobby Olson (13:25)

3. Suspicion and the Spark of Investigation

• Friends in Disbelief: The close-knit community is shocked by Angela’s critical illness and even more so by the police presence at the Craig home.
  • "They were putting the crime scene tape up and like no one was in the house." – Det. Olson (08:53)
• Detectives on the Case: Bobby Olson and Molly Harris, dubbed “the twins,” approach the case with relentless energy.
  • "We just don't stop. And so really on the onset of this case, that was… we have to figure out what’s going on here." – Det. Harris (10:28)

4. The Break in the Case: Cyanide at the Office

• Strange Delivery: A package labeled potassium cyanide is delivered to the dental office, prompting suspicion.
  • "Nothing that they had ever seen." – Det. Olson (17:20)
• Connection to Symptoms: Office staff Google cyanide poisoning symptoms and realize they match Angela’s.
  • "Dizziness, trouble focusing, and weakness. All symptoms of potassium cyanide poisoning. And Angela had all of them." – Andrea Canning (17:50)
• Poison as the Cause: Toxicology confirms both potassium cyanide and tetrahydrozoline (from eye drops) are found in Angela’s system and in shaker bottles.
  • "A fatal dose of potassium cyanide and a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline." – Det. Olson (23:00)

5. Evidence of Planning and Motive

• Double Life: Detectives discover James engaged in multiple affairs, including with women found on seeking.com.
  • "You learned that James Craig is living essentially a double life with other women." – Prosecutor Brackley (23:27)
• Affairs and Intent: Craig’s relationship with Karen Kane (an orthodontist) becomes serious, coinciding with Angela’s final days.
  • "He’s telling Angela… there’s no other woman… and then sending emails… that are racy, they’re explicit." – Det. Harris (26:54)
• Financial Support to Others: James provides substantial support and gifts to women he meets online.
  • "I think it was maybe around $15,000 in gifts." – Carrie Hegeseth (25:26)

6. The Digital Trail and Manifesto

• Secret Searches: Craig uses a separate email address to order cyanide, arsenic, and oleander and searches for "how to make murder look like a heart attack".
  • "How to make murder look like a heart attack. Top five undetectable poisons." – Asst. DA Michael Morgan (33:18)
• Home Security Video: Camera footage records Angela’s decline—and James preparing her drinks.
• Incriminating Note: A digital “manifesto” outlines his affairs, poisoning research, and even dosing method.
  • "I called it a manifesto." – Det. Olson (21:48)

7. Arrest & Jailhouse Plotting

• James Arrested: Craig is arrested under the guise of retrieving his cell phone (21:34).
• Further Crimes: From jail, he attempts to get a daughter to manufacture evidence and solicits another inmate to harm Det. Olson.
  • "He asked a fellow inmate to find a way to kill her." – Asst. DA Michael Morgan (31:27)

8. The Trial

• Prosecution’s Case: Focused on physical and digital forensic evidence, search history, manifesto, and witness testimony.
• Defense’s Attempt: Claims Angela was suicidal and that Craig only researched poisons to help her.
  • "She said key evidence was left behind… Why not take that perception off and look deep into what she was actually doing on that laptop?" – Lisa Moses, defense (40:33)
• Counterpoint: Friends and detectives adamantly deny Angela would take her own life.
  • "She was so strong… So I don't think that was even a thought." – Det. Olson (41:09)
• Angela’s Own Words: Security Cam footage: "Nobody in their right mind would ever think I would kill myself before I killed you." (41:24)

9. Verdict and Aftermath

• Guilty Verdict: James Craig is convicted of first degree murder and five other charges.
  • "We, the jury, unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt, find the defendant, James Craig, guilty of murder in the first degree." – Det. Harris (42:22)
• Sentencing & Family Impact: Life without parole plus 33 years. Children and friends struggle with the loss and betrayal.
  • “He was supposed to be my hero. And instead, he’ll forever be the villain in my book.” – Miriam Craig, daughter (43:42)
  • “It just seems so absurd that you would make a decision to do this." – Vivian Fundermerva (44:38)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Angela’s character:
  “She was who she was. And that, for me, was probably the most beautiful thing about her.” – Vivian Fundermerva (04:03)
• Medical staff bewilderment:
  “They did CT scans, they did MRIs… The medical staff doesn’t know what caused this.” – Det. Olson (01:11; 10:59)
• Evidence discovery - Cyanide:
  “Dizziness, trouble focusing and weakness. All symptoms of potassium cyanide poisoning. And Angela had all of them.” – Andrea Canning (17:50)
• Craig's incriminating search:
  “How to make murder look like a heart attack. Top five undetectable poisons that show no signs of foul play.” – DA Michael Morgan (33:18)
• Angela’s despair (journal entry):
  “I feel abused, worthless, unwanted, and unloved.” – Defense reading from Angela’s journal (38:55)
• Angela’s own voice - dismisses suicide:
  “Nobody in their right mind would ever think I would kill myself before I killed you.” – Angela (41:24, via security cam)
• Daughter on her father:
  “He was supposed to be my hero. And instead, he’ll forever be the villain in my book.” – Miriam Craig (43:42)
• Judge’s comment via prosecution:
  “Dr. Craig unleashed a path of destruction as wide as a tornado and just as devastating.” – Prosecutor Brackley (44:20)

Important Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)

• Family background & setting: 02:27 – 06:12
• Angela’s hospitalization & decline: 09:27 – 14:35
• Discovery of cyanide & breakthrough: 17:05 – 19:16
• Digital evidence & double life revelations: 21:00 – 26:00
• Arrest and jailhouse plots: 30:02 – 31:38
• Trial and the defense’s argument: 32:53 – 41:24
• Verdict and sentencing: 42:22 – 44:28
• Aftermath for children and friends: 44:02 – 44:51

Conclusion

This Dateline episode delivers a comprehensive and emotional exploration of a shocking crime that upended a family and community. Through skillful storytelling and compelling interviews, the episode unpacks how a pillar of the neighborhood orchestrated a calculated murder beneath a façade of normalcy—leaving a lasting impact on all those involved. The case is a haunting reminder that behind some of the most ordinary exteriors can lie the darkest secrets.

“He stole a beautiful mom and friend and sister and daughter from this world.”
— Prosecutor Ryan Brackley (44:44)