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Aurora dentist formally charged with murder in wife's poisoning death

aurora dentist affidavit header image_James Craig
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UPDATE | March 27 — The family of Angela Craig has confirmed a GoFundMe has been set up to support her children and show love for Angela.

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AURORA, Colo. — An Aurora dentist was formally charged with first-degree murder on Thursday after his wife's poisoning death on Saturday.

James Toliver Craig, 45, walked into Arapahoe District Court on Thursday morning in an orange jumpsuit to hear the charge against him.

He was then formally charged with first-degree murder.

The charge stems from the death of his wife, 43-year-old Angela Craig.

He waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 35 days in order to give his defense team the time to review evidence.

Affidavit: Aurora dentist researched 'undetectable poisons,' purchased arsenic and cyanide before wife's death

The defense asked for all notes taken by law enforcement to be preserved, which the court granted.

They also asked to limit pretrial public comment, including from the Aurora Police Department. They noted a comment from the chief in a press release that presumed James Craig was guilty. A decision on this will be made at the next hearing, which is set for April 7.

While it's not clear what this comment referred to, the police department's press release from Sunday afternoon did quote Division Chief Mark Hildebrand saying "this was in fact a heinous, complex and calculated murder."

James Craig practices dentistry at Summerbrook Dental Group, which is located at 14991 E. Hampden Avenue in Aurora, according to his website.

On Monday, Denver7 also obtained the 52-page arrest affidavit for James Craig, which detailed how he allegedly searched online for undetectable poisons before purchasing both arsenic and cyanide and why investigators believe he is responsible for Angela Craig's death. Read the full affidavit details here.

On Friday morning, Angela Craig's brother Mark Pray sent Denver7 a statement about his sister. It reads:

We are all heartbroken over the loss of our sweet Angie. She was deeply loved by both the Pray and Craig families, and this is a very difficult time for all of us. We thank God for the knowledge that we will be able to be reunited with her someday. We are overwhelmed by the love and service extended to us by those who knew and loved her here in Aurora. We are so grateful for the compassion and concern everyone has shown for Angie and would ask for your continued thoughts and prayers. We also invite you to allow us some time to mourn her passing in privacy.

He also shared her obituary.

She was born in April 1979 in Dodge City, Kansas as one of 10 children. She married James Craig in December 1999.

Over the next 23 years, she had six children and the family moved to Denver.

She was described in the obituary as funny, witty, religious, intelligent, social and energetic. She "had a large capacity to forgive," helped strangers and friends alike, and was "fiercely dedicated" to her family," it reads.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and filled positions of choir director, teacher and youth organization leader.

"Ang’s most endearing trait was showing up — to everything. Family and friends’ weddings, funerals, graduations, baptisms, birthday celebrations, reunions, service projects, holiday celebrations. She made sure to always be where she was needed, which is what she is still doing now. Ang is now and will be forever missed," the obituary concludes.


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