Recently filed motions in the James Craig murder case revealed text messages between the accused Colorado murderer and a woman identified as his “mistress.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Craig, 45, a Mormon dentist and father of six, is charged with first-degree murder for the 2023 death of his wife, 43-year-old Angela Craig. Investigators alleged that Angela died from consuming lethal levels of tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant commonly used in eyedrops, and cyanide.
In motions filed in May, prosecutors describe the text messages between Craig and his alleged mistress as “the most damning evidence” against him so far.
According to prosectors Craig texted Carrie Hageseth on February 2, 2023, asking, “Do you know anyone who can help me with my problem down here? I can pay handsomely. I want to be with you.”
The following day, he suggested “hitting up a homeless person” as a possible solution, expressing feelings of being “trapped.”
Detective Bobbi Jo Olson with the Aurora Police Department uncovered the text exchanges between January 14 and February 14, 2023, The Denver Gazette reports.
The messages also showed Craig lamenting his situation current and describing himself as “not suicidal” but “frustrated.” Court documents indicate that he discussed his financial ability to support Hageseth, who needed money for the children, but without specifically mentioning her name.
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Following the text messages discovery, police questioned Hageseth on February 21, 2024. During the interview, she reportedly described how Craig initially joked about his wife’s death but later discussed plans to “get rid” of her using an untraceable substance.
Craig also allegedly referred to his wife as “his problem” in the messages, and repeatedly asked Hageseth for help and expressing his desire to “bless [her] life.”
At the time of Angela’s death, Craig’s dental practice was failing, and he allegedly told friends that his wife was suicidal. He claimed she asked him to buy the poison, either to take her own life or to force him to stay with her.
Angela Craig died on March 18, 2023, at University Hospital in Aurora after multiple ER visits for symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo. She collapsed on March 15, was put on a ventilator, and then pronounced brain dead that night. She was taken off life support three days later.
An autopsy revealed lethal levels of tetrahydrozoline and cyanide in her body, with the former being found at 400 times the therapeutic dose.
In another development, prosecutors noted that Craig attempted to have a “deep fake video” created, showing Angela asking him to buy poison.
Meanwhile, in a previous interview with the Daily Mail, Angela’s brother, Mark Pray, explained the toll that his sister’s murder has had on the family.
“The heinous actions of her killer have left a void in the lives of her children, our family, her countless friends, and the world, depriving us of Angie’s love and light,” Pray told the news outlet.
Craig has a hearing in Arapahoe County court on Wednesday afternoon, with his trial set to begin on August 8, 2024.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: James and Angela Craig/Facebook]
