A Colorado dentist convicted of poisoning his wife's protein shakes and a Utah grief author accused of spiking her husband’s drink in 2022 with a fatal dose of fentanyl are just two examples of domestic partners using “chemical and biological toxins” to poison their loved ones.
The Department of Homeland Security warned in a bulletin that these crimes have increased over the last five years and lists 17 cases since 2014 of people attempting to poison their family members, using toxins such as ricin and cyanide, resulting in at least 11 deaths. The DHS Intelligence Division of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office prepared the report and shared it with law enforcement agencies in early January.
The bulletin highlights the case of James Craig, who was convicted in July of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes with a mix of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the medication used in eye drops. Angela Craig, the mother of his six children, was hospitalized on March 15, 2023, and died three days later after having a severe seizure.
The coroner initially believed that she died from a fatal dose of arsenic and cyanide, though her death was later attributed to cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.
His attorneys had argued at trial that she had died by suicide. But prosecutors said James Craig cheated on his wife for most of their 23 years together and developed a fatal plot to leave the marriage.
Authorities said his search history showed he looked up information on whether arsenic was detectable in an autopsy, had purchased potassium cyanide from Amazon, and had it delivered to his dental practice weeks before her death.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“While this case is a recent illustration, similar incidents involving the use of toxic substances in domestic settings have been reported in other states, highlighting the persistent risk to public safety and the challenges faced by first responders,” the bulletin states.
DHS said the substances most used are antifreeze, eyedrops, fentanyl, and poisons, including cyanide.
Later this month, Utah grief author Kouri Richins is set to stand trial after she was charged with spiking her husband's drink in 2022 with a fatal dose of fentanyl.
The agency said several factors have contributed to the increase in the use of chemicals and toxins, including the accessibility of online information and the ease of containing them.
It warned that use of these chemicals could lead to a public safety risk if the toxic agents contaminate air, water, or surfaces. The toxins can also disperse unpredictably and affect children and bystanders who were not the intended target, the bulletin says.
It also poses a risk to first responders and emergency personnel who respond to these crimes.
“If the trend of using chemical or biological toxins to kill or harm continues, we may see an increase in fatalities and long-term health consequences among survivors,” the bulletin states. “The recurring use of these toxins by domestic partners highlights the need for more awareness, regulation, and forensic expertise to address this trend in domestic partner violence.”
