Colorado dentist James Craig may have recruited members of his church into helping him clean up a potential crime scene at his home the day before his wife, Angela, was pronounced dead, DailyMail.com reveal.
According to a source close to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Southshore Ward, of which the Craig family is a part, members were asked to help ‘organize’ Craig’s mudroom and basement at their home in Aurora, while Angela, 43, was in hospital and ahead of other family coming into town.
The source told DailyMail.com: ‘It was an oddly specific request. It’s quite common in the community for us to go into somebody’s house and help when there’s been a new baby or sickness, but the language of this request was so heightened.
Colorado dentist Jim Craig had allegedly asked members of his Mormon church community to help him clean up his home the day before his wife Angela, 43, was pronounced brain dead on March 18, according to friends of the couple
Sources close to the Craigs’ Mormon church said members were asked to help ‘organize’ the mudroom and basement at their Aurora home (pictured) – which some now wonder if it may have been a crime scene
Craig was seen entering the Arapahoe District Court for his arraignment on first-degree murder charges on Thursday
‘It said they needed ‘the mudroom organized, and their basement storage organized.’
‘And looking back at the timing of the communication, I can’t help wondering if that was something Jim asked for knowing that it might be a crime scene later.’
The request was sent to church members via email shortly after 1pm on March 17.
Major Crimes homicide detectives had already executed a search warrant on the family residence at 8:45am the previous morning.
And less than 24 hours after the church members search, Angela, by then intubated and unconscious in intensive care, was pronounced brain dead.
The house was empty as Craig, 45, was staying with family friends.
According to the lengthy probably cause affidavit, Craig refused to speak to a detective from the Aurora Police Department when visited at the friend’s home around 8:30am March 16.
They executed the search warrant on his home approximately 15 minutes later.
Police recovered multiple items from the Craig household including protein powders, work-out style shakers used to consume protein drinks or shakes, a computer tablet, water bottle, and two different plastic Ziploc-style bags, neither of which were labeled and both of which contained white powdery substances in them.
Craig had asked friends, family, and members of his church to remain tight-lipped about Angela’s condition, with a similar plea being issued to the wider church community two days after her death
Set in an upscale development with parks, a nature reserve and playgrounds this is the home of a family who appeared to have it all
Today the neat family home is shuttered up, a small sign posted on the door asks for privacy
James and Angela Craig pose for a family picture with their six children aged eight to 20
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Now, with Craig charged with first-degree murder having allegedly slowly poisoned Angela to death, the source told DailyMail.com that the timing and nature of his request for help cleaning out specific rooms in the large family property was ‘chilling.’
They said: ‘What was he wanting ”organized” away so soon before Angela died? Was there something still there he was worried about?’
On March 19, two days after the request for others to clean up his home, and shortly after Angela was taken off life support, police obtained a warrant to arrest Craig on first-degree murder charges.
Craig had already texted his business partner, Ryan Redfearn, asking him not to speak about Angela’s illness and death and reminding him that he was ‘under no obligation to talk to anyone…including any law enforcement officers…unless you are served a subpoena.’
He also attempted to guilt Redfearn into silence insisting, ‘you will do more damage than good to my family by continuing to insert yourself into this.
Just two days after Angela’s death, a similar plea to remain tight-lipped was issued to the wider church community.
The direction, made via email, came from Bishop McIlroy and echoed Craig’s sentiment that speaking out would only hurt the Craigs’ six children.
The email read: ‘Thank you for your continued prayers and tremendous support for the Craig family. Thank you for the yard work, the meals, the housework, and the love that you have generously provided. The family is grateful. I am grateful.’
Text messages Craig exchanged with Angela while she was in hospital fighting for her life
Craig sat alongside deputy public defender Patrick Thompson (right) and public defender Katie Telfer during his brief arraignment at Arapahoe District Court Thursday morning
Angela Craig’s brother Mark Pray, 54, circled, sat second row in the courtroom for his brother-in-law’s arraignment which marks the first time he has laid eyes on him since his arrest, he told DailyMail.com
It continued: ‘Many have reached out inquiring about recent news. We don’t have many answers but wanted to provide some counsel.
‘1. Jesus is the Christ. Be His disciple – Mosiah 2:172. Think of the Craig children. How will your communication potentially affect them?
‘If you are approached or asked questions about this situation from the public, please refer them to President Hansen. We don’t judge. We love. We Minister.’
Craig made his first court appearance Thursday morning at Arapahoe District Court where he was formally charged with first-degree murder.
He shuffled into courtroom 308, head bowed, hands cuffed and ankles shackled.
He did not make eye contact with any of the friends and family members, including Angela’s brother Mark Pray, who showed up to the hearing.
In an exclusive statement shared with DailyMail.com after Craig’s initial hearing, Pray, 54, said: ‘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.’
