Utah Mom Accused of Killing Husband for Money After Writing Kids' Book on Grief

Prosecutors say Kouri Richins fatally poisoned her husband Eric with fentanyl, while her defense argues he may have overdosed on his own.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 12:18am

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Prosecutors in Utah have accused Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old mother and children's book author, of fatally poisoning her husband Eric Richins with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Richins has vehemently denied the allegations, and her defense team argued that Eric may have overdosed on his own due to a Lyme disease and painkiller addiction. The trial began on Monday, with prosecutors portraying Richins as a money-hungry killer who wanted to inherit her husband's $4 million estate, while the defense claimed she was distraught on the night of his death.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding domestic violence, financial motives, and the impact on families when a parent dies. It also raises questions about the role of mental health, addiction, and grief in these types of cases. The fact that Richins had written a children's book about coping with the loss of a parent adds an additional layer of intrigue and potential manipulation.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Richins slipped five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a cocktail that Eric Richins drank, and that she had also tried to poison him a month earlier on Valentine's Day with a fentanyl-laced sandwich. They claim Richins was $4.5 million in debt and believed that if her husband died, she would inherit his $4 million estate. The defense argues that Eric had Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers, and may have overdosed on his own. Richins faces nearly three dozen charges, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud, and insurance fraud.

  • In March 2022, Eric Richins was found dead in the couple's home just outside Park City, Utah.
  • A month earlier, in February 2022, Kouri Richins allegedly tried to poison Eric with a fentanyl-laced sandwich.
  • Kouri Richins was arrested in May 2023 and charged with her husband's murder.

The players

Kouri Richins

A 35-year-old Utah mother and children's book author accused of fatally poisoning her husband Eric Richins with fentanyl.

Eric Richins

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

Brad Bloodworth

The Summit County prosecutor handling the case against Kouri Richins.

Kathryn Nester

The defense attorney representing Kouri Richins.

Katie Richins-Benson

Eric Richins' sister, who testified that Kouri Richins was not acting normally on the night of her husband's death.

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What they’re saying

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

— Kathryn Nester, Defense attorney

“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

“I observed that she was not how she normally was. She was very well put together. She had a matching pajama-esque outfit on. Her hair was all done up.”

— Katie Richins-Benson, Eric Richins' sister

What’s next

The trial is slated to run through March 26, and a judge will decide whether to allow Kouri Richins out on bail during the proceedings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding domestic violence, financial motives, and the impact on families when a parent dies. It also raises questions about the role of mental health, addiction, and grief in these types of cases, and the potential for manipulation through the publication of a children's book about coping with loss.