Utah Mom Kouri Richins Found Guilty of Fatally Poisoning Husband with Fentanyl
Kouri Richins, a Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl and author of a children’s book on grief, was found guilty of murder on Monday, March 16, 2026, following a weeks-long trial. The Summit County jury reached a unanimous verdict, convicting her on all five counts, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2026.
Details of the Case
Prosecutors alleged that Kouri Richins, 35, was motivated by financial desperation and a desire for a “fresh start” to kill her husband, Eric Richins. They argued she was obsessed with appearing “privileged, affluent and successful” while her home flipping business was failing and accumulating debt, nearing $8 million in October 2021.
The prosecution presented evidence suggesting Kouri Richins purchased illicit fentanyl, referring to it as the “Michael Jackson drug,” after asking two individuals for it. Brad Bloodworth, the Summit County prosecutor, stated during closing arguments that she lacked knowledge of the illicit drug world but specifically sought a substance known to be lethal.
Prosecutors also alleged a prior attempt on Eric Richins’ life, claiming she gave him a fentanyl-laced sandwich on Valentine’s Day, two weeks before his death. She was accused of insurance fraud, allegedly taking out a $100,000 life insurance policy on her husband with a forged signature and attempting to claim the funds after his death.
The Prosecution’s Argument
Bloodworth argued that Kouri Richins deliberately distanced herself in the 911 call reporting her husband’s death, stating her location as “in my son’s room” rather than immediately attempting to revive him. He also highlighted deleted texts and phone logs, including searches like “can cops force you to do a lie detector test” and “can deleted text messages be retrieved from an iPhone,” as evidence of attempts to cover up her involvement.
The prosecution contended that Eric Richins did not die from an accidental overdose, citing testimony from friends and family who stated he did not use illicit drugs and had no reason to accept his own life. They pointed to a letter found in Kouri Richins’ jail cell, allegedly outlining instructions to her brother to claim Eric Richins obtained fentanyl from Mexico, as further evidence of a planned deception.
The Defense’s Argument
Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued the case was built on “confirmation bias,” claiming investigators focused on evidence supporting their predetermined conclusion. She questioned the testimony of Carmen Lauber, a witness who testified about obtaining drugs at Kouri Richins’ request, suggesting the detectives influenced her statements.
Lewis also raised doubts about the presence of fentanyl in Eric Richins’ drink on the night of his death and suggested investigators failed to explore his recent trip to Mexico or test an ancient prescription bottle found at the scene. She argued Kouri Richins was simply grieving and being judged for her emotional response to her husband’s death.
The Verdict and Aftermath
Despite the defense’s arguments, the jury unanimously convicted Kouri Richins on all charges. The defense’s motion for a mistrial, alleging “wild speculation” and inappropriate comments during the prosecution’s closing argument, was denied.
Kouri Richins did not testify during the trial, and the defense presented no witnesses. The lead detective in the case revealed that Richins had employed a ghostwriter for her children’s book on grief, and had appeared on a local television segment promoting the book shortly before her arrest in May 2023.