Mayo Clinic doctor Connor Bowman who 'poisoned his wife with gout drugs for a $500,000 life insurance policy' is charged with murder after friends told police they were having marital problems after 'open relationship' failed
The former Mayo Clinic doctor accused of poisoning his wife with gout medication after their “open relationship” failed has been charged with first-degree murder.
Connor Bowman, 30, was arrested in Rochester, Minnesota and initially charged with manslaughter in the death of Betty Bowman, 32, but was handed a second charge of first-degree murder last week.
A grand jury in Olmsted County, Minnesota, handed down the indictment on Jan. 5, District Attorney Mark Ostrem said in a news release.
Betty Bowman, herself an operating room pharmacist at the Mayo Clinic, died on August 20 after a four-day hospital stay for suspected food poisoning.
Her husband is accused of fatally poisoning her with colchicine, a drug for gout.
Connor Bowman, 30, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, 32-year-old Betty Bowman
The former Mayo Clinic resident originally faced a second-degree murder charge, but an Olmsted County grand jury issued the first-degree murder indictment on Jan. 5.
Betty was admitted to hospital in August and suffered heart problems and organ failure. Her husband claimed she had a rare condition in which white blood cells build up and damage organs
When Betty suffered from heart problems and organ failure during her hospital stay, Bowman suggested she was suffering from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare disease in which white blood cells build up and damage organs.
However, researchers said she was considered a healthy person before her death and had no previous symptoms of the disease.
A day after her death, the Southeastern Minnesota Medical Examiner's Office told Rochester police about a suspicious death and prevented a cremation from taking place.
Authorities said Bowman asked the medical examiner's office to have his wife “immediately cremated” because her death was determined to be from natural causes.
The 30-year-old also emailed death investigators asking if the toxicology reports were “more thorough” than what would normally be done at a hospital.
Bowman had recently completed a pharmacy residency at the Mayo Clinic and was also working as a poison control specialist.
A probable cause statement revealed a relationship fraught with jealousy and turmoil.
A woman close to the couple said they had “discussed divorce after infidelity and a deteriorating relationship.”
Bowman, who had recently completed the Mayo Clinic's pharmacy program, asked the medical examiner's office to cremate his wife's body “immediately” after her death
Betty, herself an operating room pharmacist at the Mayo Clinic, was appalled when her husband fell in love with his girlfriend during an open relationship and suggested divorce.
Bowman also told a friend that he would receive a $500,000 life insurance benefit after Betty's death.
Days before her death, a friend tasted a smoothie Bowman had prepared for his wife and joked that he was “probably trying to poison her.”
Despite the couple agreeing to have an 'open relationship' with no strings attached, Bowman is said to have fallen in love with his new girlfriend.
His wife reportedly confronted him and suggested they initiate divorce proceedings.
Bowman, who was in debt, also told a friend that he would have to take out a $500,000 life insurance policy after her death.
While searching Bowman's home, investigators found a receipt for a $450,000 bank deposit.
Friends, many of whom were medical professionals themselves, are said to have suspected that the 30-year-old may have played a role in his wife's death.
Ten days before Betty's death, a friend reportedly tried a smoothie Bowman had made for his wife. It “tasted really bad,” and the friend even joked that “Connor was probably trying to poison her.”
Betty joked that she āthought about it at the time andā¦.ā said she didn't think that would happen.' However, she chose not to drink the smoothie and threw it away, the affidavit said.
Betty told one of her boyfriends that she was so sick she couldn't sleep after a night of drinking with her husband and suspected that the culprit might have been alcohol mixed into a “big smoothie.”
The 32-year-old's death was ruled suspicious and the medical examiner's office prevented a cremation.
Bowman allegedly used his Mayo Clinic email address to purchase colchicine and used an online tool to calculate the lethal dosage for his wife's weight
Friends described the 30-year-old as “stoic and calm” and even “happy or at least indifferent” in the days following his wife's death
One of Betty's boyfriends told detectives she was so ill that she “couldn't sleep at all” after a night of drinking with her husband four days before her death.
She said the culprit may have been alcohol mixed into a large smoothie, according to the affidavit.
Investigators allege Bowman used his Mayo Clinic email address to purchase colchicine and used an online tool to calculate the lethal dosage for his wife's weight.
After confiscating Bowman's University of Kansas-issued laptop, police discovered he had also purchased sodium nitrate, a chemical compound that lowers blood pressure.
Bowman eventually tried to blame Betty for “fraudulently” purchasing the colchicine under his name.
The 30-year-old's behavior raised suspicions in the days after his wife's death.
Friends described his demeanor as “stoic and calm” as he went out for drinks, appearing “happy or at least indifferent” about his wife's death.
If Bowman is convicted of first-degree murder, he will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His next court hearing is scheduled for January 16.