Kouri Richins, a Utah woman, who was accused of fatally poisoning her husband in 2022, now faces an additional attempted murder charge for allegedly drugging him weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day. Prosecutors have filed new charging documents revealing that she may have attempted to poison her husband before his death, painting a picture of a paranoid man walking on eggshells around his wife as she made secret financial arrangements and purchased illicit drugs found in his system. Richins self-published a children’s book about grief after her husband’s death, using it as a cover-up for her crime, which has captivated true-crime enthusiasts since she was arrested for his murder.
The bizarre case unfolded with Richins allegedly giving her husband a sandwich laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl on Valentine’s Day, causing him to break out in hives and black out. Witness statements and recovered text messages implicated Richins in purchasing the fentanyl pills and seeking stronger doses later. Friends of her husband recounted phone conversations where he expressed fear and suspicions that his wife had tried to poison him, even though he had no known allergies. A month later, Richins called 911 to report finding her husband dead with a lethal amount of fentanyl in his system, leading prosecutors to believe she had spiked his drink amidst marital disputes and financial troubles.
Prosecutors have uncovered a potential motive for Richins’ crime, citing that she opened numerous life insurance policies on her husband without his knowledge, totaling nearly $2 million. She was also charged with mortgage and insurance fraud for forging loan applications and fraudulently claiming benefits after his death. Charging documents suggest she was in financial distress and sought to inherit his estate under the prenuptial agreement terms. Further investigation revealed that Richins’ mother, Lisa Darden, may have been involved in planning and orchestrating Eric Richins’ death, as she had a history of receiving an estate after the sudden overdose death of her romantic partner in 2006.
The case has taken multiple twists and turns, shedding light on the complex web of deceit and betrayal surrounding Eric Richins’ death. Richins is currently held without bail, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, mortgage fraud, and insurance fraud, with prosecutors arguing she orchestrated a calculated murder plot for financial gain. The chilling details of the case have shocked the community and captured the attention of true-crime enthusiasts, showcasing the dark side of human nature and the lengths some might go to for power and money. As the investigation continues, more details may come to light, revealing the full extent of Richins’ alleged crimes and the potential involvement of other individuals in the murder.
