Midwest
Mayo Clinic doctor's suspicious purchase strengthens murder case in wife's poisoning, prosecutors say
Prosecutors said this week that information pulled from a former Mayo Clinic doctor suspected of poisoning his wife – in addition to online searches like “Internet Browsing History: Can it be Used In Court?” – has strengthened their case since he was indicted on murder charges.
Poison control expert Connor Bowman, 30, faces a potential life sentence if convicted after he was indicted in Minnesota last week on first-degree murder charges in the death of his Mayo Clinic pharmacist wife, Betty Bowman, 32.
Previously, according to court filings, detectives learned Connor Bowman had purchased a gift card for an online pharmacy and that his wife had a lethal dose of gout drug colchicine in her system when she died in Mayo Clinic’s St. Mary’s Hospital on Aug. 20. They also wrote in their indictment that he used his computer to convert his wife’s weight to kilograms and multiply it by 0.8 – an equation that would determine the fatal dose of the drug.
On Tuesday, prosecutors told District Court Judge Kathy Wallace that digital forensic evidence showed that colchicine was, in fact, the drug that Bowman used his credentials to purchase in the weeks preceding his wife’s death, FOX 9 reported.
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The charge against Connor Bowman, 30, was upgraded to first-degree murder with intent last Thursday in the death of his wife, Betty Bowman, 32. (Olmsted County Jail)
Also, at the 15-minute hearing, they asked Wallace to double Bowman’s unconditional bail from $5 million to $10 million and his conditional bail amount to be set at $5 million rather than $2 million, considering the high stakes of his potential life sentence.
Wallace declined to do so, instead telling a handcuffed and shackled Bowman that he would need to establish residency in Minnesota and wear a GPS monitor if he posts bail. The 30-year-old has been behind bars at Olmsted County Jail since his October arrest, according to online records.
His next court date has yet to be scheduled. Michael Schatz, Bowman’s attorney, did not respond to emails for comment on the case.
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a pharmaceutical doctorate in 2018, Betty Bowman worked as a “diligent and capable hospital pharmacist” for Mayo Clinic, according to her obituary. Her husband was a medical resident at the world-renowned hospital’s location in Rochester, Minnesota.
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Saint Mary’s Hospital at the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota. (Google Maps)
“Mayo Clinic is aware of the charges filed against a former resident which are unrelated to his Mayo Clinic responsibilities,” Dan Lea, a communications specialist for the hospital, wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The resident’s training at Mayo Clinic ended in early October. We continue to extend our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Betty Bowman while the criminal case proceeds.”
The representative did not expound on why Bowman’s residency came to a halt.
Bowman’s arrest and the search of his home were set in motion after police ordered Betty Bowman’s blood samples to be tested at the Minnesota Department of Health.
There, medical professionals determined that 29ng/ml of colchicine – a medication commonly used in much smaller doses to treat gout – was in her bloodstream when she died.
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Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. (Google Maps)
Betty Bowman had never been treated for gout, and medical examiners noted in her post-mortem autopsy that she had no symptoms that would lead a doctor to prescribe gout medication. Her death was ruled a homicide caused by the “toxic effects” of the colchicine – although investigators’ knowledge of Bowman’s specific purchase of the drug was just revealed, the Rochester Police Department began to build a case against the doctor soon after his wife’s death.
Friends told police that the Bowman couple were in an open relationship, and that Betty began threatening divorce when Connor developed an “emotional connection” to another woman, the Post Bulletin reported.
Around that time, police said Bowman began making concerning searches on his work laptop for the University of Kansas, where he worked as a poison control specialist, soon after he developed an “emotional connection” to another woman.
Before Betty went to the hospital, Connor Bowman allegedly searched for the drug colchicine.
He was supposed to use the University of Kansas computer to look up medications relevant to calls to the poison control center, but neither he nor his coworkers had any calls pertaining to gout or colchicine during the weeks preceding his wife’s death.
Days before his wife fell ill, Bowman allegedly searched “delete Amazon history police,” “police track package delivery” and “internet browsing history: can it be used in court?”
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Betty Bowman’s cause of death was the result of toxic effects of colchicine, according to court documents. (Betty Bowman/Facebook)
Five days later, he allegedly searched “food v. industrial grade sodium nitrate,” according to the history on the seized computer, and looked up a medical journal used by doctors to test the lethality of certain substances.
Detectives also learned that Bowman used his medical credentials to access his wife’s electronic health information during her emergency department stay for suspected food poisoning.
Doctors’ treatment for food poisoning had been ineffective, and the woman succumbed to organ failure and fluid in her lungs, according to arresting documents, but she was perfectly healthy before she was admitted.
Bowman also accessed her information a few days after she died, reviewing the medication she was administered, her reported allergies and an operating room log.
An Olmsted County coroner reached out to police when Bowman asked that his wife be “cremated immediately” after her four-day hospital stay and death on Aug. 20.
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Around the same time, a concerned friend of the deceased woman called the examiner’s office to report that the couple was “talking about a divorce following infidelity and a deteriorating relationship.”
In the weeks leading up to her death, court documents show, Betty Bowman had also told them her husband was in about $500,000 debt and that they kept separate bank accounts.
Meanwhile, according to a probable cause affidavit, Bowman mentioned to a friend that he stood to receive a $500,000 insurance payout in the event of his wife’s death. Investigations found a $450,000 bank deposit note when they searched the Bowmans’ home after the doctor’s arrest, court documents show.
Connor Bowman was arrested during a traffic stop on Oct. 20 by the Rochester Police Department. (Google Earth)
Bowman wrote in his late wife’s obituary that she suffered from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which is a rare illness where certain blood cells are over-produced and damage organs. Tests performed for HLH were inconclusive, police wrote.
Days before Betty fell ill, Bowman purchased a gift card for a website that sold the drug, police said.
A man who was dating Betty, referred to as “SS” in court documents, told detectives that the woman “had a few days off and was looking to spend some time with him” on Aug. 14.
After they met up the next day, she and the man texted back and forth while she and her husband drank alcohol at home.
The next day, before she was admitted to the hospital, Betty texted the other man that she was sick and unable to sleep; she blamed an alcoholic drink mixed with a large smoothie she drank last night for her illness, the man told police.
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BISMARCK — The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office is cautioning homeowners to be on the lookout for asphalt-paving scams.
Homeowners may be approached by unannounced illegitimate contractors claiming to be “working in the area” with “excess material” for purchase at a discounted price, with same-day decisions encouraged, a news release stated. Contractors may demand a large upfront payment, in which case they may simply leave town or begin working immediately, insisting on payment as soon as work is completed.
The work will be low-quality and easily identifiable as a scam, the release said. False contractors may even use intimidation or threats for quick payment before work can be inspected.
Homeowners should be cautious of anyone offering unsolicited paving work, especially if they claim to have leftover material at a discounted price.
The office provided the following tips to avoid falling victim to a scam:
- Research any contractor before hiring
- Ask detailed questions about the business
- Get all estimates and terms in writing
- Avoid making full payment up front
- Avoid using cash and mobile payment apps
“Pay attention if your intuition tells you that an offer appears too good to be true, because it likely is,” North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said in the release.
Consumers with questions or who suspect they may have been targeted by an asphalt-paving scam should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (701) 328-3404.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested online political writer D.J. Byrnes, also known as The Rooster, at the statehouse on June 1 on a misdemeanor warrant.
A patrol spokesman said Byrnes, who posts his stories to his Substack subscribers, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was booked into the Franklin County Jail, records show. The patrol did not provide further details.
Byrnes’ colleague, Max Littman, said he believes the arrest is related to Byrnes texting photos of cartoon character Shrek’s penis to a state senator. “If that is in fact true, that he was arrested over that, then it’s blatant targeting a political opponent and journalist,” Littman said.
The arrest warrant for telecommunications harassment came from the city of Kirtland in Lake County. The warrant alleges that Byrnes sent two photos on May 6 to “J.C.” with the intent to harass.
State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, did not return messages seeking comment.
Byrnes routinely works the halls power at Columbus City Hall, Ohio State University and the Ohio Statehouse, looking for tips and ambushing officeholders for his Substack reports. He can be both charming and confrontational.
Recently, he posted a story based on one anonymous source who told him that Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy tried to get into the New York Knicks locker room after the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs.
The story, and its spread, so bothered Ramaswamy that he posted a lengthy refute on X, calling it 100% fake.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.
Roberta Anne (Chaboya) Cahill, 82, of Pierre, passed away Friday, May 29, 2026 at Avantara in Pierre. A celebration of life will be held at Isburg Funeral Chapel on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 4:00pm with the family greeting visitors one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will follow Monday, June 8, 2026 at Greenwood Presbyterian Cemetery in Greenwood, SD at 11:00 AM followed by a small luncheon.
Roberta was born April 1, 1944 in Wagner, SD, the daughter of Sarah St. Pierre and George Chaboya. Family and close friends lovingly called her Berdie or Bea. She grew up in Pierre where she attended McKinley Elementary and Pierre Jr High School and graduated from the Flandreau Indian Vocational High School in 1962 where she was a cheerleader, salutatorian, senior class president and editor-in-chief of the yearbook. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from Northern State College in 1966 and her Masters of Art from the University of South Dakota in 1971. She was an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe.
Roberta married David Cahill on June 9, 1967 in Deadwood, SD. Together they raised Daniel, born in 1981, and instilled the values and ethics they had inherited from their parents. She was a tremendous wife and mother allowing her family to thrive. They made many trips together as a family, travelling to the Black Hills often and going on multiple road trips built around the family love of baseball. She attended all of her family’s events she could, even keeping score at Dan’s baseball games and filming games and concerts. She was also the primary photographer for family events making sure important moments like holidays, birthdays and trips were documented. Roberta was known among her family as a supporter and protector of all. She looked after everyone, never refusing to help when asked and offering a helping hand when necessary. No one went without if she could help it. She was a great listener and advisor leading to her being the go-to person for her family.
Roberta’s work career can be encapsulated in one word: service. Much like her husband David, each position she took was in service to others. She began her career working for the State of South Dakota as a social worker. She then moved to the federal government in 1968. During this time she worked at the Pierre Indian School as a counselor and dorm parent where David was a social worker. She and David then moved to Sitka, AK where she was the girl’s freshmen and sophomore councilor for two years at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, a boarding school for the Indigenous students from all over Alaska. At both schools, Roberta was a fierce advocate for her students, always fighting for their best interests. They then moved back to South Dakota in 1978 where Roberta worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen until moving back to Pierre in 1980 to raise her new family nearer to her family and home. She continued her work with the BIA in Ft. Thompson until 1990 when she transferred to the Indian Health Service as a Community Health Educator, ending her government career in January 2003. Roberta retired for good after a decade working for American Cancer Society in Pierre where she was the Director of SD Community Partnerships, concentrating on outreach and education, while also helping organize events such as the Relay for Life.
Roberta and David loved travelling and meeting new people. They took many trips across the country, mostly by car or van. They travelled across the Central, Southern, and Western United States. They were especially fond of Western Canada and Alaska making multiple road trips beginning in 1976 through 2016. Both were extremely fond of nature and animals. Roberta was a prolific photographer taking hundreds of pictures of nature and animals on these trips. They had two dogs, Sport and Snoopy they loved dearly and spoiled. Later they spent untold hours feeding birds, squirrels and rabbits in their backyard. She was particularly fascinated with eagles and spent hours of time just sitting along the causeway or Capital Lake watching the ducks and geese or driving along the Oahe Dam or the local islands to observe nature. She and David referred to this as their therapy. Roberta was also a philanthropist, donating to many charities including those doing medical research, supporting veterans, and especially supported wildlife and natural resource protection and food insecurity charities.
Remaining to cherish Roberta’s memories and carry on her legacy are son Daniel (Tucson, AZ), her three brothers, Larry Haukaas (Debby) of Pierre and children Paul, Larry and Jennifer, Thurlow Haukaas (Estelle) of Pierre and nine children, Harley Haukaas (Laurie) of Yankton, SD and children Carly, Samantha and Haley, and sister Ellen Bad Moccasin (Paul) of Pierre and children Robert, Derek and Marcus and numerous cousins.
Preceding Roberta in death is her husband David, mother Sarah, brother Greg, sisters Eileen Jo Haukaas and Julie Kay Haukaas and many uncles and aunts.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to PAWS or PARS both in the Pierre area.
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