Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three and children’s book author, has been charged with the attempted murder and aggravated murder of her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. She is accused of poisoning him with illicit fentanyl in an attempt to collect millions in life insurance funds. Richins, now 35, has made her first public statements since her husband’s death, expressing frustration with being portrayed negatively in the media and stating that “it’s time to start speaking up.” She has also claimed that her defense team was forced to withdraw from her case against her wishes.
Richins’ defense team has filed a request to withdraw from her case, citing irreconcilable issues. They have also filed a motion to disqualify state prosecutors, specifically Chief Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth, alleging violations that compromise fairness. Prosecutors claim that Richins killed her husband for financial gain and to sell a mansion that he did not approve of, leading to her alleged actions on the night of Eric’s death. The medical examiner found high levels of fentanyl and other substances in Eric’s system, leading to his death.
On the night of Eric’s death, the couple was reportedly celebrating the closure of a mansion that Kouri was involved in, and she allegedly spiked her husband’s cocktail with fentanyl. The next day, she closed a deal on the mansion alone after her husband was found dead. Richins has also been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to poison her husband’s sandwich on Valentine’s Day, a plot that he survived by noticing something was wrong and taking emergency medication. Despite these charges, Richins has maintained her innocence in her husband’s death.
Following her husband’s death, Richins wrote a children’s book about grief called “Are You With Me?” and made media appearances discussing her husband’s passing as inspiration for the book. She has claimed that her husband’s death was not her intention and that she is innocent of the charges against her. The case has drawn significant attention in Utah and beyond, with Richins now speaking out against the media portrayal of her and the legal proceedings that have taken place since her husband’s death in 2022. The legal battle and investigation into Eric Richins’ death continue to unfold as Richins asserts her innocence.
