A Minnesota doctor with a background in poison control has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder for allegedly poisoning his wife, who passed away in August.
Dr. Connor Bowman, 30, is accused of deliberately causing the death of his 32-year-old wife, Betty Bowman, who was admitted to the hospital four days before she died. Police became suspicious after learning about the couple’s financial and marital issues, as well as Connor’s potential life insurance payout following her death.
Rochester police stated on Monday that they have gathered evidence suggesting Connor, who previously worked for poison control, may have administered a drug to Betty for a non-existent ailment.
An attorney representing Bowman has not yet commented on the matter.
Betty Bowman was admitted to the hospital in mid-August due to symptoms of diarrhea and dehydration, but her condition worsened with cardiac problems, fluid in her lungs, and organ failure. The criminal complaint against Connor states that she also underwent colon surgery.
The medical examiner’s office detected the suspicious nature of her death and prevented the planned cremation. The Southeast Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office contacted Rochester police regarding the case.
During the investigation, a source revealed that the Bowmans were experiencing marital problems and considering a divorce due to infidelity and a deteriorating relationship.
Another tipster disclosed that Bowman had a background in pharmacy, had worked in poison control in Kansas, and was currently enrolled in medical school. It was revealed that the couple had separate bank accounts due to Bowman’s debt, and he had informed the tipster about the significant life insurance payout.
Bowman was a licensed physician and surgeon affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic has not yet provided a statement on the matter.
A source from the University of Kansas confirmed that Bowman specialized in poisons and took calls related to poison control on specific dates. Additionally, the source mentioned Bowman’s research interest in colchicine, a drug used to treat gout.
Betty Bowman’s toxicology results revealed the presence of colchicine in her blood and urine samples taken upon admission to the hospital. However, she didn’t suffer from gout and did not receive colchicine during her hospital stay prior to her death.
The cause of Betty’s death was determined to be toxic effects of colchicine, confirmed as a homicide by the Medical Examiner.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a bank deposit receipt worth $450,000 at Bowman’s residence.
According to Betty Bowman’s obituary, she married Connor on May 30, 2021. The obituary described her as a dedicated pharmacist at the Mayo Clinic, known for her kindness, intelligence, and professionalism.
Betty Bowman’s mother and family expressed their grief, describing her as a compassionate and vibrant individual who brought joy to everyone she encountered. They emphasized her love for her corgi, passion for food, and adventures as a world traveler.
Bowman’s bond has been set at $5 million, and he remains in custody.
This story first appeared on NBCNews.com.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
