Mom Accused of Killing Husband Then Writing Children's Book on Grief 'Wanted His Money,' Say Prosecutors

Kouri Richins is on trial for the March 2022 murder of her husband Eric Richins, whom she allegedly killed to gain access to his $4 million estate.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 12:22pm

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Prosecutors allege that Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old mother of three, murdered her husband Eric Richins in March 2022 by giving him a lethal dose of fentanyl. After his death, Kouri self-published a children's book called 'Are You With Me?' that tells the story of a boy dealing with grief over the loss of his father. Prosecutors claim Kouri killed Eric to gain access to his $4 million estate, which she allegedly owed $4.5 million in debt. Kouri's defense attorney argues that Eric had Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers, and may have accidentally overdosed.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex and disturbing allegations of a mother accused of murdering her husband for financial gain, and then using his death as the basis for a children's book about grief. It raises questions about the lengths some may go to in order to resolve financial troubles, and the impact such actions can have on families and communities.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Kouri Richins gave her husband Eric a lethal dose of fentanyl in early March 2022 at their home near Park City, Utah. They claim she put five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his drink, and also served him a fentanyl-laced sandwich that caused him to break out in hives and black out. Prosecutors say Kouri devised the plan because she owed approximately $4.5 million in debt and believed she would stand to gain more than $4 million from Eric's estate if he died. They also allege that Kouri was seeing another man outside of her marriage.

  • In early March 2022, Kouri Richins allegedly gave her husband Eric a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home near Park City, Utah.
  • Following Eric's death in March 2022, Kouri self-published a children's book called 'Are You With Me?' that tells the story of a boy dealing with grief over the loss of his father.

The players

Kouri Richins

A 35-year-old mother of three who is on trial for the March 2022 murder of her husband Eric Richins. Prosecutors allege she killed him to gain access to his $4 million estate.

Eric Richins

Kouri Richins' husband, whom she is accused of murdering in March 2022 by giving him a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Brad Bloodworth

The Summit County prosecutor who is arguing that Kouri Richins murdered her husband Eric for his money and to get a fresh start at life.

Kathryn Nester

The defense attorney for Kouri Richins, who argues that Eric had Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers, and may have accidentally overdosed.

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What they’re saying

“The evidence will prove that Kouri Richins murdered Eric for his money and to get a fresh start at life. More than anything, she wanted his money to perpetuate her facade of privilege, affluence and success.”

— Brad Bloodworth, Summit County prosecutor (KTSM)

“Those were the sounds of a wife becoming a widow.”

— Kathryn Nester, Defense attorney (PEOPLE)

What’s next

Kouri Richins' trial is expected to run until March 26, 2026, at which point a jury will decide whether she is guilty of murdering her husband Eric.

The takeaway

This disturbing case highlights the lengths some may go to in order to resolve financial troubles, and the devastating impact such actions can have on families and communities. It raises important questions about greed, grief, and the fragility of human relationships.