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Kouri Richins became one of the most heavily discussed true crime defendants in the United States after prosecutors accused the Utah mother and real estate investor of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, with a fatal dose of fentanyl in 2022. The case exploded into national headlines after investigators revealed that Richins later published a childrenās book about grief dedicated to helping children cope with the death of a parent, creating widespread public fascination and intense media scrutiny. Prosecutors alleged the killing was financially motivated and tied to marital conflict, property disputes, and life insurance concerns. The investigation quickly expanded beyond the poisoning allegations and into Richinsā business dealings, finances, deleted communications, and alleged attempts to obtain fentanyl before her husbandās death. The combination of an affluent family image, childrenās grief book promotion, and accusations of secret financial pressure turned the case into a major modern true crime story followed closely across television, podcasts, social media, and online crime communities.
Kouri Richins grew up in Utah and later built a public image centered around family life, motherhood, and real estate entrepreneurship. Friends and acquaintances described her as ambitious, socially active, and heavily involved in property investment and business ventures. Over time, she developed multiple real estate projects and investment interests while presenting a polished lifestyle image publicly and online.
According to prosecutors, financial pressure and business-related debt later became significant issues within the Richins marriage. Court filings and investigative records alleged that Kouri Richins maintained undisclosed spending habits, accumulated financial liabilities, and pursued property transactions that created growing tension between herself and Eric Richins. Investigators later argued these financial disputes became a major element in the prosecutionās alleged motive.
Prior to Eric Richinsā death, the couple reportedly experienced increasing marital strain involving trust issues, finances, and estate planning. Prosecutors alleged Eric Richins had expressed concerns about his wifeās financial decisions and had taken steps to alter legal and financial arrangements before his death. These allegations later became central to the stateās theory regarding motive and premeditation.
On March 4, 2022, Eric Richins was found unresponsive inside the familyās Utah home after allegedly consuming a drink prepared by Kouri Richins. Authorities later determined he died from a fentanyl overdose. Investigators alleged the amount of fentanyl in his system was substantially higher than what would typically be associated with accidental exposure, immediately raising suspicions surrounding the circumstances of his death.
During the investigation, detectives uncovered allegations that Kouri Richins had previously attempted to obtain fentanyl through intermediaries before Ericās death. Prosecutors claimed digital evidence, witness statements, financial records, and phone communications helped establish a timeline suggesting planning and intentional poisoning. Investigators also alleged Richins attempted to financially benefit from her husbandās death through insurance claims, property control, and business interests.
The case gained enormous public attention after it became widely known that Richins later authored and promoted a childrenās book focused on grief and coping with loss. Prosecutors argued the public image surrounding the book contrasted sharply with the homicide allegations. Media coverage intensified as additional evidence claims emerged involving deleted text messages, alleged drug procurement, financial pressure, and statements from witnesses connected to the investigation.
Utah mom and author Kouri Richins has been found guilty surrounding the death of her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl poisoning. This video breaks down the latest updates, the timeline, the Valentineās Day sandwich incident, financial motive allegations, and the emotional aftermath for the Richins children. š“ Try my Classified Coffee! - https://bit.ly/3PrY9CS ā¤ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/coffeehousecrime ā¤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeehousecrime/ ā¤ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coffeehcrime ā¤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeehousecrime ā¤ Animated Background by Featherwax Studio: https://featherwax.com DISCLAIMER: Great effort is made to ensure all materials in Coffeehouse Crime's videos fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of any materials accidentally used in this video and have an issue with its use, please contact me, and I will respond as soon as possible.
Carmen Lauber cleaned Eric and Kouri Richins' house in 2021 and 2022. But now she's the prosecution's star witness in Kouri's murder trial for the death of her husband, Eric. Carmen Lauber testified that she bought drugs for Kouri before and after Eric's death. Lauber claimed that Kouri paid her for drugs with a check and asked her for "Michael Jackson stuff." Law&Crime's Angenette Levy goes through the testimony and the defense's effort to discredit her in this episode of Crime Fix ā a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime. Download the SAN app at https://san.com/crimefix for Unbiased, Straight facts Subscribe to Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/LawAndCrimeNetwork Become a Sponsor of Law&Crime's Leading Shows: https://lawandcrime.com/sales/ Host: Angenette Levy: https://www.youtube.com/@Angenette5 Editor: Curtis Lee-Tai Hosang #KouriRichins #Trial #LawAndCrime STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK: Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3y Where To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5 Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletter Read Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2Iqo Submit Tips to Law&Crime: tips@lawandcrime.com For Advertising Inquiries, Please Contact: sales@lawandcrime.com For Licensing Inquiries, Please Contact: licensing@lawandcrime.com LAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetwork Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrime Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetwork TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrime LAW&CRIME NETWORK PODCASTS: https://lawandcrime.com/podcasts/ SUBSCRIBE TO ALL OF LAW&CRIME NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LawAndCrime/ BodyCam: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandcrimebodycam Trials: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandcrimetrials Investigates: https://www.youtube.com/@LawAndCrimeInvestigates Scandal: https://www.youtube.com/@crimesofpassionpod
Kouri Richins, the Utah mom, realtor, and children's grief book author, is on trial for the murder of her husband, Eric Richins. Eric died of a fentanyl overdose in March 2022 at their home in Summit County. Prosecutors say Kouri poisoned Eric by spiking his drink with fentanyl, but her attorneys claim Eric may have been using the drug without anyone knowing. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy looks at the biggest moments in the trial so far in this episode of Crime Fix ā a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime. Subscribe to Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/LawAndCrimeNetwork Become a Sponsor of Law&Crime's Leading Shows: https://lawandcrime.com/sales/ Host: Angenette Levy: https://www.youtube.com/@Angenette5 Editor: Daniel Camacho #Utah #KouriRichins #LawAndCrime STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK: Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3y Where To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5 Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletter Read Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2Iqo Submit Tips to Law&Crime: tips@lawandcrime.com For Advertising Inquiries, Please Contact: sales@lawandcrime.com For Licensing Inquiries, Please Contact: licensing@lawandcrime.com LAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetwork Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrime Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetwork TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrime LAW&CRIME NETWORK PODCASTS: https://lawandcrime.com/podcasts/ SUBSCRIBE TO ALL OF LAW&CRIME NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LawAndCrime/ BodyCam: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandcrimebodycam Trials: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandcrimetrials Investigates: https://www.youtube.com/@LawAndCrimeInvestigates Scandal: https://www.youtube.com/@crimesofpassionpod
Grief children's book author Kouri Richins is on trial in Utah, accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a fentanyl-laced Moscow mule in 2022. Prosecutors say she killed him for financial gain, while also engaging in an extramarital affair. The defense argues his death was an accidental overdose. In a special episode, "48 Hours" correspondent Natalie Morales speaks with CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman about the key evidence, the prosecution's motive theory, and what to watch as the Utah murder trial unfolds. #mystery #crime #kouririchins True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Subscribe to the "48 Hours" YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/48hours Watch full episodes of "48 Hours": https://cbsnews.com/48-hours/full-episodes/ Listen to the "48 Hours" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/48-Hours Listen to the "My Life of Crime with Erin Moriarty" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/CBSNewsMLOC Follow "48 Hours" on Instagram: https://instagram.com/48hoursCBS/ Like "48 Hours" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/48hours Follow "48 Hours" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/48hours Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cbsnews.com/newsletter/ Download the CBS News app: https://cbsnews.com/mobile/ Try Paramount+ free: https://paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-05-10aeh8h For video licensing inquiries, contact: licensing@veritone.com
Prosecutors alleged Kouri Richins used covert poisoning rather than overt physical violence. According to court documents, the state argued she administered fentanyl to Eric Richins through a mixed alcoholic drink inside the home. Investigators portrayed the alleged method as calculated, discreet, and intended to resemble either an accidental overdose or unexplained medical emergency.
The prosecutionās theory centered heavily on financial and personal motives rather than impulsive violence. Investigators claimed Richins faced mounting financial stress connected to real estate projects and debts, while also allegedly seeking greater control over assets and property following her husbandās death. Authorities further alleged that Eric Richins had recently altered estate planning arrangements and expressed distrust regarding financial matters.
Digital forensics and communications became a major part of the investigation. Prosecutors cited deleted messages, internet searches, financial records, and phone data as evidence supporting premeditation. The case also involved allegations regarding attempts to obtain fentanyl through acquaintances prior to the killing. Investigators argued the alleged poisoning method reflected planning, concealment, and deliberate effort to avoid immediate suspicion.
The investigation into Eric Richinsā death continued for more than a year before charges were filed against Kouri Richins. Detectives re-examined toxicology findings, witness statements, financial records, and electronic communications while building the prosecutionās timeline. Authorities ultimately alleged they uncovered evidence showing Richins had attempted to obtain fentanyl before her husbandās death.
Investigators also examined insurance documents, real estate records, deleted digital evidence, and statements from individuals connected to the family. Prosecutors claimed these materials established financial motive and demonstrated increasing marital conflict prior to Eric Richinsā death. Law enforcement later alleged Richins attempted to continue business activities and media promotion efforts while under investigation.
In May 2023, Kouri Richins was arrested and charged with aggravated murder and multiple drug-related offenses connected to Eric Richinsā death. The arrest immediately generated major national media attention because of the childrenās grief book she had publicly promoted following the death. Prosecutors later expanded the allegations through additional filings and evidence disclosures tied to financial conduct and witness testimony.
Kouri Richins has denied murdering her husband and has maintained her innocence through legal proceedings. Prosecutors argued the evidence demonstrated intentional poisoning motivated by financial gain, marital conflict, and control over property interests. The stateās case relied heavily on toxicology findings, digital evidence, financial records, witness testimony, and allegations surrounding fentanyl procurement.
Defense attorneys challenged the prosecutionās interpretation of the evidence and argued investigators relied too heavily on circumstantial conclusions. The defense also disputed elements of the alleged financial motive and questioned aspects of the timeline presented by prosecutors. Pretrial hearings generated significant media coverage because of the unusual facts surrounding the case and the public attention connected to Richinsā grief book.
The criminal proceedings remained ongoing as the case continued attracting intense national interest. Legal analysts, commentators, and true crime communities closely followed court filings, evidence disputes, and prosecution strategy. Because of the extensive publicity surrounding the allegations, the case became one of the most publicly discussed homicide prosecutions in the United States during the 2020s.
The Kouri Richins case became culturally significant because of the extraordinary contrast between the public image presented after Eric Richinsā death and the later murder allegations. Media coverage repeatedly focused on the optics of publishing a childrenās book about grief while allegedly being responsible for the death that inspired it. The story spread rapidly across television networks, social media platforms, podcasts, and online true crime communities.
The case also generated broader discussion surrounding financial stress, hidden debt, image management, and covert poisoning cases involving fentanyl. Commentators examined how digital evidence, modern forensic toxicology, and electronic communications increasingly shape homicide investigations involving alleged domestic crimes. The allegations surrounding insurance policies, estate control, and real estate investments also became central to public fascination with the case.
Public debate intensified around issues involving media sensationalism, online speculation, and the treatment of high-profile defendants before trial. The prosecutionās allegations, combined with Richinsā public-facing grief narrative, created a case that many observers viewed as uniquely disturbing and psychologically complex. Regardless of the eventual legal outcome, the case became deeply embedded within modern true crime culture.
"I wrote this book for my kids."ā Kouri Richins
"I did not kill my husband."ā Kouri Richins
"Ericās death was not accidental."ā Prosecutor
Covered the poisoning allegations, financial motive claims and the controversy surrounding Richinsā grief book.
Focused on the investigation timeline, fentanyl evidence and the public reaction to the case.
Analyzed the prosecutionās theory, digital evidence and the national media obsession surrounding the case.
Provided extensive breakdowns of hearings, filings and developments in the ongoing prosecution.
Discussed the cultural fascination surrounding the case and the prosecutionās allegations.
Covered the investigation, toxicology findings and digital evidence presented by prosecutors.
Focused on the timeline leading to Eric Richinsā death and the fentanyl allegations.
Examined the financial motive claims, media coverage and ongoing legal developments.
The Kouri Richins case received major media coverage from:
NBC News, ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, CNN, The New York Times, Associated Press, Court TV, Law & Crime, regional Utah news outlets
Major themes included:
fentanyl poisoning allegations, financial motive claims, grief book controversy, domestic homicide investigations, covert poisoning methods, estate disputes, digital forensic evidence, insurance and property conflicts, media sensationalism, true crime culture fascination