Poison specialist charged with fatally poisoning his wife
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Authorities in Minnesota have arrested and charged a Wichita woman’s husband in her murder.
On August 16, Betty Bowman, 32, a Mayo Clinic pharmacist, was admitted to a hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, with severe gastrointestinal distress and dehydration — similar to food poisoning. She died on August 20.
Betty’s husband, Dr. Connor F. Bowman, a former Mayo Clinic resident, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 20, and he has been charged with second-degree murder — with intent-not premeditated, in her death. His bond has been set at $5 million with no conditions.
Northland neighbors concerned after drive-by shootings caught on camera
According to a criminal complaint and statement of probable cause filed on Monday, Oct. 23, in Olmsted County, Minnesota, the medical examiner alerted the Rochester Police Department to Betty’s suspicious death on August 21, and her cremation was halted.
That’s when authorities began investigating Betty’s husband.
The complaint says Connor Bowman was a poison specialist at the University of Kansas Health System and answered calls regarding poisons. The health system confirmed his employment in a statement to Nexstar’s KSN, adding that he had worked at the Poison Control Center for six years. For the last four years, he had been working as needed, answering calls to the center.
One dead after crashing into tree near Ward Parkway
Detectives got a search warrant for his computer and when the health system became aware that their device was seized, they provided authorities with an internet search history of Connor’s computer from days prior. According to the court documents, he allegedly researched colchicine, a drug used to treat gout.
On August 11, Bowman allegedly searched websites for liquid colchicine, including sites to purchase the drug. He also conducted lethality searches, tracking packages, internet history, and whether it could be used in court, according to court documents.
On August 16, samples of Betty’s blood from her admission were also tested. Colchicine was detected, but she had not been prescribed the drug, according to health records. The medical examiner determined the cause of her death to be the toxic effects of colchicine and the manner of death to be a homicide.
While Betty was in the hospital, Connor told multiple people that she was suffering from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease in which the white blood cells attack other blood cells, according to the criminal complaint.
The night before Betty Bowman went to the hospital, she told a man — identified as SS in the complaint — that she was drinking at home with Connor Bowman. The next morning, she told SS she was sick, possibly from a drink that was mixed into a large smoothie.
In her obituary, it states Betty died from “a sudden onset autoimmune and infectious illness.” Tests were done for HLH, but they were inconclusive. The medical examiner said Connor wanted Betty cremated immediately, saying that her death was natural. He attempted to cancel the autopsy, stating that his wife didn’t want to be a cadaver.
Betty Bowman (Courtesy: Mary Bartlett) Betty Bowman (Courtesy: Mary Bartlett) v Betty Bowman (Courtesy: Mary Bartlett) Betty Bowman (Courtesy: Mary Bartlett) Betty Bowman (Courtesy: Mary Bartlett)
Detectives said they learned from interviews that Betty was healthy and that Connor said he would get $500,000 in life insurance due to her death.
According to the complaint, Betty and Connor were having marital issues and were talking about a divorce following infidelity and a deteriorating relationship.
Gameday in the dark: Power outage will hit entire town during Chiefs game
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up for Betty’s mom to assist with memorial costs and legal costs.
The family sent a statement to KSN:
Betty, a beloved friend, sibling, mom to Corgi, pharmacist and cherished member of our lives. It’s evident that her impact was profound and everlasting.
Betty had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel special. Her kindness, warmth, and genuine compassion touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Whether through a warm smile, comforting words, or a simple act of kindness. Betty’s love was boundless, and it extended far beyond the confines of family and friends. Her warm smile, kind words, and caring actions left an indelible mark on our hearts. Betty had a passion for life that was infectious. She lived life to the fullest, embracing each day with enthusiasm and joy.
One of Betty’s greatest strengths was her unwavering love, forgiveness and support for those she cared about. Her love for food and travel brought her all over the nation and world with travels to Hawaii and Iceland being in her top favorite trips.
She elected to pursue a career as a Pharmacist after working as a pharmacy tech at a young age, and graduated pharmacy school from Kansas State University in the spring of 2017 and completed her residency in Topeka, Kansas, in 2018.
Once moving to Minnesota, she worked in the Operating room pharmacy at Mayo and enjoyed this job very much and took pride in her work. Co-workers continue to speak positively about her which speaks loudly to show how she carried her positive energy both in her personal and professional life.
She was always there, a reliable pillar of strength and a listening ear during times of joy and sorrow. She showed us the true meaning of love—selfless, unconditional, and boundless.
Bowman is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 1.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
