Podcast Summary: "Murder In America" — EP. 223: COLORADO: The Killer Dentist

Hosts: Courtney Shannon & Colin Browen
Release Date: November 7, 2025

Overview

This episode of "Murder In America" delves into the chilling case of Dr. James Craig, a seemingly affable and successful dentist from Aurora, Colorado, who was ultimately convicted of poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, to death. The hosts, Courtney Shannon and Colin Browen, meticulously unravel the timeline leading up to Angela’s murder, exploring the double life of James, his infidelities, financial ruin, and the complex dynamics within their devout Mormon family. The tragedy is framed not only as a tale of betrayal and malice but also as a testament to Angela’s kindness and perseverance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Angela Craig’s Life and Character

• Background: Angela was described as the “baby” of a large Kansas family, an avid participant in school clubs, and a devoted member of the LDS church ([03:06]-[05:53]).
• Personal Traits: She was adventurous and “always the one to brighten someone else’s day” ([15:47]).
• Marriage: Met James at a church dance in 1999; though young, their marriage followed the LDS "sealing" tradition, emphasizing eternal bonds ([07:26]-[12:04]).

2. Facade of a Happy Family

• Community Life: The Craigs projected the image of an ideal, happy family. Angela was deeply involved in the church, supporting her husband and raising their six children ([13:28]-[17:05]).
• Angela’s Role: She was a central figure at home and the dental practice, beloved for her unfailing generosity and warmth ([14:58]-[17:05]).

3. James Craig’s Secrets: Affairs, Financial Ruin, Manipulation

• Pattern of Infidelity: James maintained a string of extramarital affairs throughout their marriage, repeatedly promising and failing to change ([18:52]-[20:22]).
• Financial Troubles: Despite earning $800,000 in 2019, James’s reckless spending led to bankruptcy and millions in debt, compounding family stress ([24:19]).
• Online Affairs: He actively sought partners on "seeking.com," engaging in several overlapping relationships in exchange for money and gifts ([27:14]-[36:45]).
• Murderous Intentions: He joked with mistress Kerry Hegseth about "purging" his wife and boasted of knowing how to "get away with murder" ([27:14]).

4. Pre-murder Efforts & Poisoning Plot

• Paranoid Planning: James conducted extensive online research for undetectable poisons like arsenic and cyanide ([40:50]-[44:26]).
• Purchasing Poisons: Using a secret email, he sourced arsenic, oleandrin, and eventually potassium cyanide, lying to chemical suppliers about research purposes ([43:07]-[55:20]).
  • Notable Quote (Colin, [55:20]):

    “James returned to Exam room number 9 and purchased Sigma 20781025G from Midland Scientific Inc. The item was potassium cyanide. And if you’ve listened to any true crime, you know cyanide is not something you want to mess with.”

5. Angela’s Mysterious Illness & Suffering

• Decline: Angela experienced sudden and horrifying symptoms—dizziness, blurred vision, headaches—repeatedly hospitalized as doctors struggled for answers ([49:02]-[54:23]).
• Feigned Concern: James played the devoted husband, communicating with doctors and family, but was secretly orchestrating her decline ([52:23]-[55:20]).
  • Angela’s Words ([49:02]):

    “No, I feel drugged.”

6. Critical Moments: Hospitalization & Final Diagnosis

• Suspicion and Evidence: Office staff found potassium cyanide delivered for James. Business partner Dr. Ryan Redfern suspected foul play and informed authorities ([63:21]-[71:46]).
• Angela’s Death: After more unexplained episodes, Angela collapsed and was declared brain dead. James resisted an autopsy, raising red flags for her family and investigators ([79:26]).
• Digital Trail: Investigators found extensive evidence: poison purchases, incriminating searches, and surveillance of James making Angela’s shakes ([81:11]-[83:22]).
  • Investigator’s Quote:

    "We have a suspected cyanide, potassium cyanide poisoning." ([72:53])

7. James’s Arrest and Failed Cover-Up Attempts

• Arrest: James was arrested in a hotel room with his mistress, Karen Kane ([83:31]).
• Desperate Measures: In jail, he attempted to plant false evidence and solicit inmates to create deep fakes, bribe witnesses, or even kill Detective Olsen ([112:02]-[114:43]).
  • Notable Quote ([114:43]):

    “The worst, dirtiest detective in the world is on my case. Her name is Bobby Olsen. We have to discredit her.”

8. Trial and Verdict

• Prosecution’s Case: Focused on his digital evidence, poison purchases, financial motive (life insurance), and surveillance footage ([118:41]).
  • Angela’s Recorded Condemnation ([119:25]):

    “Nobody in their right mind would ever think I’d kill myself before I’d kill you. Nobody. Name one person.”

• Defense: Claimed Angela was suicidal and requested the poisons. The jury found no supporting evidence; all searches for poisons were conducted by James ([122:53]-[124:06]).
• Guilty Verdict ([124:15]-[126:19]):
  • Murder in the First Degree
  • Solicitation to Commit Murder (among other counts)
  • Life in prison without parole

9. Victim Impact Statements & Legacy

• Family Devastation: Angela’s daughter and sister delivered moving statements about their profound loss ([126:36]-[133:04]).
  • Myra (Angela’s daughter, [126:36]):

    “I miss her so much... I was supposed to be able to trust my dad, and he was supposed to be my hero, and instead he'll forever be the villain in my book.”

  • Toni (Angela’s sister, [130:04]):

    “None of us could have imagined that the person she chose as her companion... could so callously and cruelly... end her life.”

• Angela’s memory: Remembered as generous, loving, and vibrant, her “love will live on forever in her children, family and community.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “No, I feel drugged.” — Angela Craig, text to James ([49:02])
• “James was a master of love bombing.” — Courtney ([34:01])
• “The only thing that saved my life last night was God.” — Angela, surveillance footage ([110:28])
• “Nobody in their right mind would ever think I’d kill myself before I’d kill you. Nobody.” — Angela, in an argument with James ([119:25])
• On deepfake plans:

  “He asked a fellow inmate to deepfake a video of Angela asking him to purchase the poisons for her.” — Colin ([112:02])

• From the verdict ([124:15]):

  “Find the defendant James Craig guilty of murder in the first degree.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Angela’s hospital decline and introduction | | 05:53 | Angela and James: courtship and marriage | | 18:52 | Early issues: infidelity and marriage strain | | 24:19 | Financial collapse and escalation of James’s affairs | | 40:50 | Planning and purchasing poisons (Arsenic, Oleandrin, Cyanide) | | 49:02 | Angela’s mysterious symptoms and chilling texts | | 63:21 | Office staff’s discovery of cyanide and suspicion | | 67:38 | Angela’s fatal collapse, seizure, and brain death | | 71:46 | Dr. Redfern alerts authorities, confrontation with James | | 79:26 | Angela pronounced dead, investigation intensifies | | 83:31 | James arrested with mistress Karen Kane | | 110:28 | Surveillance footage: Angela’s confrontation with James | | 112:02 | James’s bizarre jailhouse schemes (deepfakes, murder plot) | | 118:41 | Prosecution at trial: evidence summary | | 124:15 | Verdict: guilty on all major counts | | 126:36 | Victim impact statements from Myra (daughter) and Toni (sister) | | 136:02 | Sentencing: Life without parole | | 136:59 | Final reflections on Angela’s enduring legacy |

Final Reflections

The episode is a haunting narrative of trust betrayed, highlighting how meticulous, cold-blooded actions can hide behind the mask of a charming professional and family man. Through both careful investigation and emotional storytelling, the hosts honor Angela Craig’s memory, expose the manipulations and evil of James Craig, and leave listeners with a resonant warning about the dangers lurking within appearances.

Angela’s empathy, resilience, and love permeate the episode — while James Craig, now condemned to life in prison, becomes a symbol of ultimate betrayal.

For listeners seeking a comprehensive, empathetic, and unnerving exploration of this case, EP. 223 of Murder in America stands as a definitive retelling.