Mayo Clinic Doctor Indicted for First-Degree Murder in Alleged Poisoning of Wife
Jan 20, 2024, 02:00 AM
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Mayo Clinic doctor Dr. Connor Bowman faces first-degree murder charges in the death of his wife, Betty Jo Bowman after authorities discovered he allegedly spiked her smoothie with gout medicine. The indictment, issued on January 4, upgraded the initial second-degree murder charge previously filed against Dr. Bowman, according to Minnesota court records.
If convicted of the first-degree murder charge, Dr. Connor
Bowman could be sentenced to life in prison. Betty Jo Bowman died on August 20,
2023, at a hospital after a four-day stay initially thought to be related to
food poisoning. Her health rapidly deteriorated, leading to cardiac issues,
fluid in her lungs, and organ failure.
Initially attributing her death to a rare illness called
hemo-phago-cytic lympho-histio-cytosis (HLH), Dr. Bowman suggested she had
prior symptoms. However, investigators found no evidence of HLH in Betty Jo
Bowman's medical history.
The Southeast Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office raised
suspicions about Betty Jo Bowman's death, preventing cremation due to unusual
circumstances. A caller, reportedly aware of the couple's marital issues,
infidelity, and talk of divorce, alerted authorities. Connor Bowman's behavior raised further suspicion. He urged immediate cremation, claiming his wife's death was natural. However, an acquaintance revealed the couple's relationship struggles and discussions of divorce, prompting investigators to delve deeper.
Email correspondence with the medical examiner's office showed
Dr. Bowman's interest in the toxicology reports and the extent of testing. With
a background in pharmacy and poison control, Dr. Bowman's qualifications
intensified concerns among friends and investigators.
Financial troubles and infidelity added complexity to the case.
Betty Bowman had reportedly mentioned her husband's debt, and friends disclosed
details of a $500,000 life insurance policy. Investigators discovered a check
matching this amount from an insurance company in the Bowman home.
Friends portrayed a troubled marriage, worsened by financial issues and infidelity.
Despite an agreement for an open relationship, Betty Bowman allegedly
confronted her husband about his new girlfriend, sparking discussions of
divorce.
Another friend said she was visiting with Betty Bowman 10 days before her death when
she gave her a smoothie her husband had made for her. It “tasted very bad,” and
the friend thought it was strange Connor Bowman had made a smoothie for his
wife because he “never made anything for anybody,” according to the warrant.
“[The friend] said jokingly at the time that Connor must be trying to poison her but
didn’t think much of it at the time. Betty even joked that she had considered
it at the time and said she didn’t think that would happen but decided not to
drink the smoothie anyway and threw it out,” the warrant said. The friend
became suspicious when Betty Bowman suddenly became ill and died.
Dr. Bowman's demeanor after his wife's death struck friends as
unusual. Witnesses claimed he appeared indifferent, even going out for drinks
just days later. One friend said she went to see Connor Bowman at his home
three days after the death to find the girlfriend there with him and his wife’s
photos taken down, the warrant said.
The probable cause arrest affidavit said that one of Betty Bowman’s boyfriends told detectives that on August 16, she told him she was so sick she could not sleep at all. She said she thought it may have been an alcoholic drink that she had that caused her illness because it was mixed in a large smoothie.
Investigators allege Dr. Bowman used his Mayo Clinic email to
purchase colchicine, a drug used to treat gout. He reportedly attempted to
shift blame onto his late wife, claiming she fraudulently acquired the drug
under his name. Dr. Connor Bowman is set to be arraigned on the new charges on January 16.
If convicted of the first-degree murder charge, Dr. Connor
Bowman could be sentenced to life in prison. Betty Jo Bowman died on August 20,
2023, at a hospital after a four-day stay initially thought to be related to
food poisoning. Her health rapidly deteriorated, leading to cardiac issues,
fluid in her lungs, and organ failure.
Initially attributing her death to a rare illness called
hemo-phago-cytic lympho-histio-cytosis (HLH), Dr. Bowman suggested she had
prior symptoms. However, investigators found no evidence of HLH in Betty Jo
Bowman's medical history.
The Southeast Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office raised
suspicions about Betty Jo Bowman's death, preventing cremation due to unusual
circumstances. A caller, reportedly aware of the couple's marital issues,
infidelity, and talk of divorce, alerted authorities. Connor Bowman's behavior raised further suspicion. He urged immediate cremation, claiming his wife's death was natural. However, an acquaintance revealed the couple's relationship struggles and discussions of divorce, prompting investigators to delve deeper.
Email correspondence with the medical examiner's office showed
Dr. Bowman's interest in the toxicology reports and the extent of testing. With
a background in pharmacy and poison control, Dr. Bowman's qualifications
intensified concerns among friends and investigators.
Financial troubles and infidelity added complexity to the case.
Betty Bowman had reportedly mentioned her husband's debt, and friends disclosed
details of a $500,000 life insurance policy. Investigators discovered a check
matching this amount from an insurance company in the Bowman home.
Friends portrayed a troubled marriage, worsened by financial issues and infidelity.
Despite an agreement for an open relationship, Betty Bowman allegedly
confronted her husband about his new girlfriend, sparking discussions of
divorce.
Another friend said she was visiting with Betty Bowman 10 days before her death when
she gave her a smoothie her husband had made for her. It “tasted very bad,” and
the friend thought it was strange Connor Bowman had made a smoothie for his
wife because he “never made anything for anybody,” according to the warrant.
“[The friend] said jokingly at the time that Connor must be trying to poison her but
didn’t think much of it at the time. Betty even joked that she had considered
it at the time and said she didn’t think that would happen but decided not to
drink the smoothie anyway and threw it out,” the warrant said. The friend
became suspicious when Betty Bowman suddenly became ill and died.
Dr. Bowman's demeanor after his wife's death struck friends as
unusual. Witnesses claimed he appeared indifferent, even going out for drinks
just days later. One friend said she went to see Connor Bowman at his home
three days after the death to find the girlfriend there with him and his wife’s
photos taken down, the warrant said.
The probable cause arrest affidavit said that one of Betty Bowman’s boyfriends told detectives that on August 16, she told him she was so sick she could not sleep at all. She said she thought it may have been an alcoholic drink that she had that caused her illness because it was mixed in a large smoothie.
Investigators allege Dr. Bowman used his Mayo Clinic email to
purchase colchicine, a drug used to treat gout. He reportedly attempted to
shift blame onto his late wife, claiming she fraudulently acquired the drug
under his name. Dr. Connor Bowman is set to be arraigned on the new charges on January 16.
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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