Utah mother's murder trial begins after husband's death

Kouri Richins accused of fatally poisoning her husband nearly 3 years after arrest

Feb. 23, 2026 at 4:04pm

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The murder trial of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three who wrote a children's book about coping with grief after her husband's death, has begun nearly three years after her arrest for allegedly fatally poisoning him.

Why it matters

The case has drawn national attention due to the unusual circumstances - Richins wrote a book about grief after her husband's death, but was later accused of murdering him. The trial will shed light on the events surrounding the husband's death and the evidence against Richins.

The details

Richins was arrested in 2024 and accused of fatally poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Prosecutors allege she killed him in order to collect a $2 million life insurance payout. Richins has maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

  • Kouri Richins was arrested in 2024 for the alleged murder.
  • The murder trial has now begun in February 2026, nearly 3 years after her arrest.

The players

Kouri Richins

A Utah mother of three who wrote a children's book about coping with grief after her husband's death, and is now on trial for allegedly murdering him.

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What’s next

The trial is expected to last several weeks as prosecutors present their case against Richins.

The takeaway

This high-profile case will test the strength of the evidence against Richins and determine whether she is convicted of murdering her husband or found not guilty. The outcome could have significant implications for Richins and her family.