In a shocking murder trial, James Craig, a dentist from the US, has been accused of poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, leading to her death in March 2023. Key testimony from his daughter revealed that he instructed her to create a deeply manipulative deepfake video. The daughter claimed her father requested her assistance to fabricate a scene suggesting that Angela had asked him to procure the lethal substances involved in her poisoning, thereby shifting blame onto her.
The prosecution laid out a disturbing narrative, alleging that Craig mixed arsenic, cyanide, and tetrahydrozoline—typically found in eye drops—to lethally poison Angela. It’s alleged that he later ensured she ingested a cyanide-laced pill while she was hospitalised, ultimately causing her death. The motives cited include Craig’s financial troubles and an extramarital affair.
During the court proceedings, the daughter recounted a letter from her father which contained meticulous instructions for making the deepfake, including the purchase of equipment with a pre-paid Visa gift card and installing specific software to keep the operation discreet. He seemed to choose his second-oldest daughter for this task because of her technological prowess and resemblance to her mother.
In a further unsettling development, Craig’s oldest daughter testified that he opposed an autopsy after Angela’s death, claiming he wanted to protect her privacy. She expressed doubts about her mother’s emotional state prior to her demise, insisting Angela had plans for the future, countering any notions of suicidal ideation.
The testimony also captured the profound emotional struggle faced by Craig’s daughters. While one described the distress over their mother’s illness and her gradual decline, the other shared heart-wrenching memories of their mother’s vitality, referencing her fitness routine and supportive role in their lives. The daughters indicated that Angela’s mysterious sickness had left the family perplexed, prompting concern that it might have a hereditary component.
James Craig has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and solicitation to commit murder and tampering with evidence. As the trial unfolds, the jury will grapple with the complex interplay of familial loyalty, deception, and the tragic consequences of Craig’s alleged actions.