Kouri Richins, mom who wrote grief book, found guilty of murdering her husband

Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 12:56 am

Utah Mother Found Guilty of Husband's Murder

A Utah jury has found Kouri Richins guilty on all charges related to the death of her husband, Eric Richins. The verdict, delivered after approximately three hours of deliberation, concludes a trial that began in February and spanned three weeks.

Richins, 35, faced multiple felony charges stemming from the alleged poisoning of her husband in March 2022. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting she laced a Moscow Mule cocktail with a lethal dose of fentanyl, serving it to Eric Richins at their home. Court filings indicated the drink contained nearly five times the fatal amount of the opioid. The most serious charges, aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, carry potential life sentences. Sentencing is scheduled for May 13.

The prosecution argued that Richins was motivated by financial gain. She was a beneficiary of multiple life insurance policies on her husband, which she had allegedly purchased without his knowledge. Evidence presented during the trial revealed Eric Richins was considering divorce and had attempted to remove her from his life insurance policies and will shortly before his death. Furthermore, Richins allegedly signed documents to finalize a multimillion-dollar real estate deal the day after her husband's death.

During the trial, the prosecution presented testimony from neighbors and family members. One neighbor testified that Richins had expressed a desire for her husband's death. Family members also shared that Eric Richins had suspected his wife of attempting to harm him previously. Richins' defense team did not call any witnesses, and Richins herself declined to testify.

Following her husband's death, Richins authored and published a children's book about grief, titled "Are You with Me?" She promoted the book on local television, describing the challenges she and her sons faced after their father's unexpected passing. Richins was arrested in May 2023.

BNN's Perspective:

The jury's decision underscores the gravity of the charges and the compelling nature of the evidence presented. While the case is undeniably tragic, the legal process has run its course, and the verdict reflects the jury's assessment of the facts. The focus now shifts to the sentencing phase, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment.

Keywords: Kouri Richins, Eric Richins, murder, guilty, fentanyl, children's book, grief, Utah, trial, sentencing, aggravated murder, life insurance, poisoning, verdict

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