'Grief Book Mom' Accused of Killing Her Husband
When Kouri Richins appeared on TV promoting her children's book about grief, viewers saw a Utah mom who had turned pain into purpose. But behind the scenes, prosecutors allege a far more sinister story — one involving fentanyl, financial fraud, and a murder charge that shocked her community.
A Cocktail and a Sudden Death
On the night of March 3, 2022, Eric Richins was found unresponsive in the couple's home near Park City, Utah. The 39-year-old businessman had reportedly been celebrating his wife's recent real estate deal with a Moscow mule prepared by Kouri. But according to investigators, that drink contained five times the lethal dose of illicit fentanyl — not the kind prescribed by doctors, but the kind that turns overdoses deadly.
The medical examiner concluded that Eric died of a fentanyl overdose. Almost a year later, in May 2023, Kouri was arrested and charged with his murder. She pleaded not guilty and remains in custody awaiting trial.
A Book About Grief — Then, Murder Allegations
In March 2023, Kouri Richins published a children's book titled "Are You With Me?" The book tells the story of a young boy whose deceased father watches over him as an angel — a concept Kouri said was inspired by her own children's grief.
The timing of the book's release raised eyebrows. Just weeks after it hit bookshelves, Kouri was arrested. Prosecutors claimed she had written the book after killing her husband, allegedly in a calculated scheme to claim life insurance money and gain control over his estate.
Financial Red Flags Before the Tragedy
Newly unsealed court documents suggest that tensions over money had been brewing for years. In 2019, Kouri allegedly took out a $250,000 home equity line of credit on a house Eric owned — without telling him. She reportedly used the funds to invest in her own real estate ventures.
By 2020, Eric had learned about the HELOC and other alleged financial manipulations. He then met with an estate planning attorney to protect his assets — and his children — in the event of his death. According to prosecutors, Eric quietly placed his sister in charge of his estate through a living trust, excluding Kouri entirely.
A Pattern of Alleged Fraud
The murder charge is only part of the legal storm surrounding Kouri. In June 2024, she was indicted on 26 new counts, including mortgage fraud, money laundering, issuing bad checks, forgery, and communications fraud.
Investigators allege that she forged signatures, applied for fraudulent loans, and stole more than $100,000 from Eric's business in the years and months leading up to his death.
One particularly troubling accusation involves a close friend who gave Kouri money for a mortgage down payment. Prosecutors say Kouri used that money to pay off other debts, leading to the friend's eviction.
Defense Calls Charges 'Troubling'
Kouri's legal team maintains that she is innocent. In response to the latest financial charges, her attorneys argued that the state's case is built on weak evidence. "This sudden push to file new fraud charges over two years later underscores the weakness of the state's pending murder charges," her lawyers said in a statement, according to NBC News.
They also pointed to the court's refusal to move the trial out of Summit County, arguing that widespread media coverage has made it difficult to seat an impartial jury. But with those motions denied, jury selection is now scheduled for Feb. 10, 2025, with opening arguments set to begin shortly afterward.
What Comes Next?
As the trial approaches, both the prosecution and defense have indicated they are ready for a legal showdown. Prosecutors claim Kouri plotted to murder her husband for financial gain, while her attorneys insist she is the victim of false narratives.
Until the trial concludes, the question of Kouri Richins' guilt remains unanswered.
References: Grief author accused of killing her husband indicted on new charges | Kouri Richins, grief book author accused of killing husband with fentanyl-laced cocktail, faces 26 new charges | Trial date set for Kouri Richins, author accused of murdering husband
