ROCHESTER, MN – A Minnesota doctor originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife now faces an upgraded charge of first-degree murder following a grand jury indictment. Dr. Connor Bowman, 30, is accused of administering fatal poisoning to his 32-year-old wife, Betty Bowman, who died only four days after being hospitalized in August.
Bowman, who had formerly worked for poison control, sparked skepticism from investigators who suggested he may have purposefully given his wife an unnecessary medication. Betty Bowman was admitted to the hospital due to issues with diarrhea and dehydration, and her condition rapidly deteriorated during her hospitalization, culminating in cardiac distress, lung fluid accumulation, and organ failure.
After her death was flagged and deemed suspicious, authorities discovered the couple’s marital troubles and possessing a hefty life insurance policy, adding weight to their suspicion. Dr. Bowman allegedly expressed the expected sizable insurance payout upon his wife’s death to a third party.
The upgrade in charges was announced by the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office after a county grand jury indicted Bowman on first-degree murder- both premeditated and intended. He remains charged with a second-degree identical count of murder. At this time, no comment has been offered by Bowman’s defense attorney.
Adding to the researchers’ suspicion was Bowman’s immediate intent to cremate his wife’s body. Yet, the process was paused and Rochester police notified when the medical examiner’s office deemed Betty Bowman’s death suspicious. The case raised further alarms when informants divulged the couple’s impending divorce due to infidelity and a rather deteriorated relationship.
Searches carried out at Bowman’s residence led to the discovery of a bank deposit receipt for $450,000, fueling their suspicion further. An informant from the University of Kansas, bringing another layer to this complex case, tipped off police about Bowman’s previous role as a poison specialist.
Forensic results underscored the presence of colchicine, a drug commonly used to treat gout, in Betty’s bloodstream. She did not receive this drug during her hospitalization, nor was it needed for any condition she previously had. This led to her death’s classification as ‘homicide,’ caused by colchicine toxicity.
Depicted as a caring pharmacist at the Mayo Clinic by her grieving family, Betty Bowman is fondly remembered for her selfless and unconditional love. Connor Bowman is held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center and, if convicted of first-degree murder, faces possible life imprisonment without parole. His arraignment is scheduled for January 16th, according to the statement from the attorney’s office.