Utah Mom Accused of Killing Husband, Then Writing Children's Book on Grief

Kouri Richins faces murder trial after publishing book about father's death

Feb. 23, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A Utah mother of three, Kouri Richins, is on trial for allegedly killing her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors say Richins slipped a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into her husband's drink and also tried to poison him a month earlier on Valentine's Day. Richins has vehemently denied the allegations, and her defense team says the public has been misinformed about the case. In the months before her arrest, Richins self-published a children's book about a father with angel wings watching over his young son after passing away, which could play a key role for prosecutors in framing the death as a calculated killing with an elaborate cover-up attempt.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex and often tragic intersection of domestic violence, financial motives, and the exploitation of grief. The allegations against Richins, if true, would represent a disturbing breach of trust and a callous disregard for human life. The case also raises questions about the role of mental health, addiction, and the criminal justice system in addressing such crimes.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Richins killed her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl in March 2022 at their home just outside Park City, Utah. They say she slipped five times the lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into a Moscow mule cocktail that he drank. Richins is also accused of trying to poison her husband a month earlier on Valentine's Day with a fentanyl-laced sandwich that made him break out in hives and black out. Prosecutors have argued that Richins killed her husband for financial gain while planning a future with another man she was seeing on the side. Richins faces nearly three dozen counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud and insurance fraud.

  • In March 2022, Richins allegedly killed her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl.
  • A month earlier, on Valentine's Day 2022, Richins allegedly tried to poison her husband with a fentanyl-laced sandwich.
  • Richins was arrested in May 2023.

The players

Kouri Richins

A 35-year-old Utah mother of three who is on trial for allegedly killing her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl.

Eric Richins

Kouri Richins' husband, who died in March 2022 under suspicious circumstances.

Wendy Lewis, Kathy Nester and Alex Ramos

Kouri Richins' defense attorneys, who say the public has been misinformed about the case and are confident the jury will allow Richins to return home to her children.

Carmen Lauber

A housekeeper who claims to have sold fentanyl to Richins on three occasions and is the state's key witness.

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What they’re saying

“Kouri has waited nearly three years for this moment: the opportunity to have the facts of this case heard by a jury, free from the prosecution's narrative that has dominated headlines since her arrest.”

— Wendy Lewis, Kathy Nester and Alex Ramos, Kouri Richins' defense attorneys (12newsnow.com)

“What the public has been told bears little resemblance to the truth.”

— Wendy Lewis, Kathy Nester and Alex Ramos, Kouri Richins' defense attorneys (12newsnow.com)

“I think my wife tried to poison me.”

— Eric Richins (12newsnow.com)

What’s next

The trial is slated to run through March 26, and the jury will decide whether to allow Kouri Richins to return home to her children or sentence her to 25 years to life in prison.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences when domestic violence, financial motives, and the exploitation of grief intersect. It underscores the need for greater awareness, support, and accountability in addressing such complex and heartbreaking crimes.