Utah mom writes children’s book on grief after killing husband.

Wife Charged with Murdering Husband with Fentanyl

A tragic story out of Kamas, Utah has shocked the nation. Kouri Richins, a mother of two, has been charged with the murder of her husband, Eric Richins, after he was found dead in their home in March. According to authorities, Kouri had been purchasing illegal fentanyl from a friend and used a fatal quantity to kill her spouse of nine years. She has been charged with possessing a prohibited substance with the intent to distribute it, as well as three counts of aggravated murder.

The Events Leading Up to the Tragedy

Eric and Kouri had celebrated Valentine’s Day together with an in-home dinner a few weeks prior to his death. Shortly after the dinner, Eric became very ill and told a friend that he thought his wife was trying to poison him. According to a search warrant affidavit, Kouri also attempted to modify his life insurance policy so that she would be the sole beneficiary.

The Investigation

After Eric’s death, investigators confiscated Kouri’s cell phone and numerous computers from their house. They found conversations between Kouri and her drug connection, C.L., who had a very lengthy police record. Between December 2021 and February 2022, Kouri contacted C.L. and requested prescription painkillers for an investor. Court filings showed that C.L. had claimed that he brought hydrocodone to a house that Kouri was flipping at the time, so he could drop off the drugs and pick up the money that she left there for him.

Ms. Richins contacted C.L. again a few weeks later and requested “some of the Michael Jackson stuff,” according to court records. On February 11th, Kouri Richins is said to have allegedly visited C.L.’s home and paid $900 for “15-30 fentanyl pills” that he had purchased from another dealer. On February 26th, around two weeks later, she contacted C.L. to request additional fentanyl pills. The drugs were dropped off by C.L. next to a fire pit outside the residence where the hydrocodone had been delivered beforehand. Once more, the cash was left for pickup. Court records state that Kouri Richins no longer owned the property at this point.

The Aftermath

Eric Richins’ autopsy and toxicology report showed that he had overdosed on fentanyl and died. A medical examiner determined that he had almost five times the typical lethal dosage in his body. Kouri Richins now faces 25 years to life in prison for her actions.

It’s a tragic story that has left many wondering how something like this could happen. Our hearts go out to the Richins family during this difficult time.