Utah Mother Convicted of Poisoning Husband with Fentanyl
Kouri Richins found guilty of murdering Eric Richins in March 2022, months after publishing children's grief book
Quick Facts
Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old Utah mother, has been found guilty of murdering her husband Eric by lacing his Moscow Mule cocktail with nearly five times a lethal dose of fentanyl on March 3, 2022. The verdict was delivered on Monday, March 17, 2026, at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City following a trial that lasted approximately three weeks.
Jurors deliberated for roughly three hours before returning guilty verdicts on all five counts: aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud, and forgery. Kouri, who wore a white blouse with pale blue and peach flowers to the courtroom, looked down and breathed heavily as the verdicts were read.
The case revealed a calculated pattern of poisoning attempts. In February 2022, just weeks before Eric's death, Kouri attempted to poison him again—this time with a fentanyl-laced sandwich on Valentine's Day. Eric lost consciousness but survived that attack. Prosecutors presented this as evidence of premeditation in the fatal poisoning that followed less than a month later.
Investigators identified multiple motives for the murder. Kouri was reportedly $4.5 million in debt from a failed home flipping business and stood to inherit Eric's estate, valued at over $4 million. Testimony also revealed she was having an affair and had made plans for a vacation with her boyfriend after Eric's death. A neighbor testified that Kouri had stated around Christmas 2021—following an argument with Eric—that it would be better if her husband were dead.
The prosecution's case was strengthened by body camera video showing Kouri sobbing after Eric's death, presenting a grieving widow to first responders while she allegedly orchestrated his demise.
One of the most unusual aspects of the case involved a self-published children's book titled "Are You with Me?" marketed as Kouri's work about coping with grief and the loss of a parent. The book was promoted on local television and radio—before Kouri's arrest in May 2023. Investigators later discovered the book was ghostwritten and that Kouri had paid someone else to write it. After her arrest, an anonymous package containing the book and a note stating "There are two sides to every story. This is a true Kouri, a devoted wife and adoring mother" was sent via Amazon. Detective Jeff O'Driscoll confirmed the package was sent by Kouri's mother.
