Minnesota Poison Scientist Charged with Murder in Wife's Death Due to Toxic Substance
Oct 26, 2023, 10:00 AM
A Minnesota man with expertise in poison science, Connor Bowman, aged 30, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his 32-year-old wife, Betty Bowman. Authorities allege that Connor administered a lethal dose of liquid colchicine, a substance used for treating gout, leading to Betty's untimely demise.
Betty Bowman's health took a dire turn in August when she was hospitalized with symptoms resembling food poisoning. Tragically, just four days later, on August 20, she succumbed to what an online obituary described as a "sudden onset autoimmune and infectious illness."
Authorities began investigating Betty's death, leading to the arrest of her husband, Connor Bowman, two months later. The criminal complaint alleges that Connor administered the toxic substance colchicine to Betty, which can be fatal when given at a high dosage, exceeding 0.5mg/kg, according to the National Library of Medicine.
The complaint further reveals that Connor had conducted online searches to determine Betty's weight in milligrams and multiplied it by 0.8mg, a dosage far surpassing the safe limits. Additionally, his online search history reportedly showed queries related to purchasing colchicine five days before Betty's death, as well as questions about the legal implications of internet searches and deleting Amazon data.
Betty's tragic passing has left a void in the lives of her loved ones. A GoFundMe page organized by Sarah Leeser aims to raise funds to assist Betty's mother, Nancy Sponsel, with memorial costs, legal expenses, and other bills related to this heartbreaking incident. Betty, who worked as a pharmacist, was remembered as "a light to so many people."
Connor, who was a medical student and worked as a poison specialist fielding phone calls for the University of Kansas, is a former resident of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Mayo Clinic clarified that Connor's employment at the facility ended earlier this month, unrelated to the charges he now faces.
"We are aware of the recent arrest of a former Mayo Clinic resident on charges unrelated to his Mayo Clinic responsibilities," the statement read. It remains unclear whether Connor has entered a plea or retained legal representation at this time.
Betty's vibrant and outgoing personality left a lasting impact on those who knew her. An online obituary dedicated to her memory stated, "Betty inspired and encouraged others to be their truest selves." She lived life to the fullest, embracing opportunities to travel and experience new places.
In line with Betty's passion for helping others, the obituary directed well-wishers to a donation page for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization supporting the LGBTQ community. As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains shocked by this tragic turn of events, and Betty's memory lives on as a testament to her kindness and vivacity.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of responsible use of substances and the consequences of actions that can lead to the loss of a loved one. Legal proceedings will shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Betty Bowman's tragic death.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
Betty Bowman's health took a dire turn in August when she was hospitalized with symptoms resembling food poisoning. Tragically, just four days later, on August 20, she succumbed to what an online obituary described as a "sudden onset autoimmune and infectious illness."
Authorities began investigating Betty's death, leading to the arrest of her husband, Connor Bowman, two months later. The criminal complaint alleges that Connor administered the toxic substance colchicine to Betty, which can be fatal when given at a high dosage, exceeding 0.5mg/kg, according to the National Library of Medicine.
The complaint further reveals that Connor had conducted online searches to determine Betty's weight in milligrams and multiplied it by 0.8mg, a dosage far surpassing the safe limits. Additionally, his online search history reportedly showed queries related to purchasing colchicine five days before Betty's death, as well as questions about the legal implications of internet searches and deleting Amazon data.
Betty's tragic passing has left a void in the lives of her loved ones. A GoFundMe page organized by Sarah Leeser aims to raise funds to assist Betty's mother, Nancy Sponsel, with memorial costs, legal expenses, and other bills related to this heartbreaking incident. Betty, who worked as a pharmacist, was remembered as "a light to so many people."
Connor, who was a medical student and worked as a poison specialist fielding phone calls for the University of Kansas, is a former resident of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Mayo Clinic clarified that Connor's employment at the facility ended earlier this month, unrelated to the charges he now faces.
"We are aware of the recent arrest of a former Mayo Clinic resident on charges unrelated to his Mayo Clinic responsibilities," the statement read. It remains unclear whether Connor has entered a plea or retained legal representation at this time.
Betty's vibrant and outgoing personality left a lasting impact on those who knew her. An online obituary dedicated to her memory stated, "Betty inspired and encouraged others to be their truest selves." She lived life to the fullest, embracing opportunities to travel and experience new places.
In line with Betty's passion for helping others, the obituary directed well-wishers to a donation page for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization supporting the LGBTQ community. As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains shocked by this tragic turn of events, and Betty's memory lives on as a testament to her kindness and vivacity.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of responsible use of substances and the consequences of actions that can lead to the loss of a loved one. Legal proceedings will shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Betty Bowman's tragic death.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com