Utah Mom Accused of Poisoning Husband With Fentanyl Goes to Trial

Kouri Richins is charged with aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, false insurance claims, and forgery in the 2022 death of her husband Eric.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Prosecutors allege that Kouri Richins fatally poisoned her husband Eric with fentanyl in 2022 and sought millions in life insurance payouts. Richins has pleaded not guilty as jury selection gets underway in her trial. The case drew national attention after Richins published a children's book about grief following her husband's death and later proclaimed her innocence on NBC's 'Dateline.'

Why it matters

This high-profile case raises questions about domestic violence, life insurance fraud, and the challenges of proving poisoning cases, especially when the accused is a seemingly devoted parent. The outcome could set precedents around circumstantial evidence and the rights of spouses in estate planning.

The details

Prosecutors say Richins had significant debt and fraudulently took out life insurance policies on her husband, who was worth $4 million. They allege she poisoned him with fentanyl, which was found at five times the lethal dose in his system. Richins' attorneys argue there is no evidence showing how the fentanyl got into Eric's system, and that an empty pill bottle from 2016 was found near his body.

  • On March 4, 2022, Kouri Richins found her husband Eric unresponsive in their bedroom after they had celebratory drinks.
  • In May 2023, a month after Richins promoted her children's book about grief on local TV, she was arrested and charged in connection with her husband's death.
  • Jury selection for Richins' trial began in February 2026.

The players

Kouri Richins

A Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband Eric with fentanyl in 2022 and seeking millions in life insurance payouts. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, false insurance claims, and forgery.

Eric Richins

Kouri Richins' husband, who died in 2022 at the age of 39 after ingesting a fatal dose of fentanyl, according to prosecutors.

Bradley Bloodworth

The chief prosecutor in the case against Kouri Richins.

Kathryn Nester

The attorney representing Kouri Richins.

Katie Richins-Benson

Eric Richins' sister, who he placed in control of his estate and as the beneficiary of his $500,000 life insurance policy without his wife's knowledge.

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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.”

— Bradley Bloodworth, Chief Prosecutor

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

— Kathryn Nester, Kouri Richins' Attorney

“I'm anxious to prove my innocence. I'm anxious to get to trial. And I'm ready to give this one heck of a fight. You took an innocent mom away from her babies, and this means war.”

— Kouri Richins (NBC's 'Dateline')

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kouri Richins out on bail during the trial.

The takeaway

This high-profile case highlights the complexities of proving poisoning cases, especially when the accused is a seemingly devoted parent. The outcome could set important precedents around circumstantial evidence and the rights of spouses in estate planning.