Rochester, MN - Connor Bowman, a former doctor at Mayo Clinic, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Betty Bowman. The charges were filed on Monday in Olmsted County, and Bowman made his initial court appearance later that morning.

According to the complaint, Betty Bowman, a pharmacist at Mayo Clinic, was admitted to the hospital on August 16 due to gastrointestinal distress and dehydration. Despite medical treatment, her condition worsened rapidly, and she passed away on August 20 at the age of 32.

An autopsy revealed that Betty's death was caused by the toxic effects of colchicine, a drug typically used to treat gout. However, she was not being treated for this condition at the time. It is alleged that Connor Bowman suggested her death was a result of a rare condition called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), although hospital tests for HLH were inconclusive.

Suspicion surrounding Bowman grew when he attempted to stop an autopsy of his wife's remains and pushed for immediate cremation. Law enforcement's subsequent investigation discovered that the couple had been discussing divorce, and it was revealed that Connor Bowman was set to receive a $500,000 life insurance payment following his wife's death.

Forensic evidence obtained from Bowman's devices, including one used during his time as a poison specialist at the University of Kansas, indicated that he had been researching colchicine. University officials confirmed that he had not received any calls related to the drug. Additionally, Bowman's internet browsing history raised further concerns about his activities, including researching other lethal substances and the admissibility of internet browsing history as evidence in court.

Mayo Clinic officials released a statement acknowledging Connor Bowman's arrest, mentioning that his residency at Mayo had ended earlier this month. A colleague of Betty Bowman, Jason Herold, spoke highly of her, describing her as smart, experienced, hard-working, and a valuable asset to Mayo Clinic.

Connor Bowman's bail has been set at $2 million with conditions, and $5 million without any conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court again on November 1. As the legal process unfolds, the community is left shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of Betty Bowman and the grave allegations against her former husband, Connor Bowman.