Utah Widow Kouri Richins Found Guilty of Husband’s Poisoning

Kouri Darden Richins, a 35-year-old Utah woman and author of a children’s book on grief, has been found guilty of first-degree aggravated murder in the death of her husband, Eric Richins. The verdict was delivered on March 16, 2026, after a jury deliberated for just over three hours.

Details of the Case

Eric Richins, 39, died on March 4, 2022, at the couple’s home in Kamas, Utah, from a fentanyl overdose. Prosecutors argued that Kouri Richins intentionally poisoned her husband with a fentanyl-laced cocktail. She was too convicted of attempted aggravated murder for a prior attempt to poison him on Valentine’s Day weeks before his death, forgery, and insurance fraud USA Today.

Motive and Financial Gain

The prosecution presented evidence suggesting Kouri Richins was motivated by financial gain. Brad Bloodworth, the chief prosecutor, described her as “intensely ambitious” and noted her business was facing financial difficulties USA Today. A prenuptial agreement would have limited her financial benefit in a divorce, leading prosecutors to argue she saw her husband’s death as a way to secure her financial future The New York Times.

Evidence Presented at Trial

Over 13 days, prosecutors presented testimony from more than 40 witnesses detailing alleged problems in the Richins’ marriage, an affair Kouri Richins was having, and significant debt – reportedly $4.5 million ABC7. The prosecution argued these factors motivated her to poison her husband. The jury agreed that the homicide was committed for pecuniary gain and through the administration of a lethal substance USA Today.

Richins’ Book and Public Image

The case gained national attention partly because Richins self-published a children’s book about grief after her husband’s death, intended to help their three sons and other children cope with loss CNN.

Sentencing

Kouri Richins faces a potential sentence of life in prison without parole, the maximum penalty for the murder charge. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2026 CNN.