A Utah mom of three appeared to be a grieving widow after the death of her husband, but police now believe she may be the one who killed him. Kouri Richins wrote a children’s book on dealing with loss after Eric Richins died of an apparent overdose in March 2022. However, investigators later discovered evidence that pointed the finger at Kouri and she’s now been arrested and charged with murder, CBS News reports.
According to Park City prosecutors, Kouri Richins told authorities that she made Eric a vodka cocktail to celebrate him selling a house. She then went upstairs to check on their sleeping kids, and when she came back, she found her husband unresponsive and “cold to the touch” and called 911.
A medical examiner later determined that Eric had five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system. And while it was originally thought to be a tragic accidental overdose, it was later discovered that an “unnamed acquaintance” sold Kouri the fentanyl before Eric’s death. She was also charged with possession of GHB, also known as the date rape drug, in addition to murder.
Following Eric Richins’ death, Kouri wrote a book called “Are You With Me?” aimed at helping kids process grief. She even appeared on local TV stations to promote its publication, saying that Eric’s death was “unexpected” and that she was working hard on “making sure that their spirit is always alive in your home.”
Eric’s obituary praised him as a devoted husband and father who “loved his family unconditionally.” It stated: “Eric was a family man, who always strove to be the absolute best father and husband. He was an attentive and loving father to his three children and a devoted husband to the love of his life, and wife of nine years, Kouri.”
Kouri Richins’ attorney, Skye Lazaro, has not commented on the charges filed against her client.
