Text messages between Colorado dentist James Craig — who’s accused of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes — and his “mistress” have been labeled by prosecutors as the most “damning evidence” yet to be brought against the father of six, according to new court documents.
Craig was charged last year with first-degree murder in the death of his wife of 23 years, Angela Craig. The 43-year-old mother of six died in March 2023 of poisoning from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the latter a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops.
In the weeks before, Angela visited the hospital several times, seeking treatment for symptoms including vertigo, shaking and cold lips.
During her third visit, she was put on a ventilator in the ICU but she rapidly deteriorated and was taken off life support on March 18.
According to court documents obtained by the Denver Gazette, Craig requested help in killing his wife from a woman he was seemingly romantically involved with, identified as Carrie Hageseth
“Do you know anyone who can help me with my problem down here?” he wrote in a text message sent on Feb. 2, 2023. “I can pay handsomely. I want to be with you.”
A day later, he suggested that “hitting up a homeless person actually sounds like the only choice right now.”
On Feb. 15, 2023, he wrote: “I’m looking forward to Thursday night so much! Maybe we can come up with a solution. I love how resourceful you are. I want to bless your life.”
Prosecutors said Hageseth agreed to an interview with authorities of her own accord. She told them Craig initially seemed like he was joking when he first began talking about offing his wife.
But in December 2022, he started speaking about how he “wanted to get rid” of Angela by injecting an untraceable substance “with potassium in its name,” prosecutors said. She added that he mentioned killing her on at least five different occasions.
Prosecutors have further contended that Hageseth was not Craig’s only mistress, claiming he also recently started a relationship with an orthodontist in Texas.
In October 2023, Craig pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and a count of tampering with evidence. His trial is scheduled for Aug. 8, 2024.
