Woman Accused of Killing Husband, Writing Grief Book for Kids, Requests Bail

During a court session on Monday, attorneys representing a Utah woman who authored a children’s book on coping with grief after her husband’s demise, only to be later charged with poisoning him to death, argued for her release on bail for the duration of the trial.

Kouri Richins, aged 33, faces charges of murder and drug possession. As the lead detective investigating her husband’s death testified, Richins paid close attention while tissues clutched in her hands, visibly distressed. Behind her, a captivated audience filled with locals, including employees from Eric Richins’ construction company, watched as she silently wept, burying her face in her hands when the detective mentioned discovering her husband’s lifeless body.

Prosecutors claim that Richins deliberately administered five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl by slipping it into a Moscow mule cocktail she prepared for Eric Richins. The alleged act occurred amidst marital conflicts and disputes over a multimillion-dollar mansion that she eventually acquired as an investment.

The mother of three had self-published an illustrated book about a guardian angel father who watches over his sons after passing away.

The case gained significant attention as true-crime enthusiasts delved into the children’s book and scrutinized Richins’ remarks while promoting it as a tool to aid children in grieving the loss of a loved one.

Summit County Chief Prosecutor Patricia Cassell planned to examine multiple witnesses during Monday morning’s proceedings.

Prosecutors portrayed Richins as a scheming individual who previously attempted to kill her husband by lacing a Valentine’s Day sandwich with hydrocodone. On the day of his death in March 2022, she vehemently denied any involvement, even proclaiming to the police, “My husband is active. He doesn’t just die in his sleep. This is insane.”

In a motion filed on Friday, Richins’ defense argued for her release, citing the circumstantial nature of the evidence against her. They highlighted the fact that the police never discovered fentanyl at the family residence and questioned the credibility of the key witnesses supporting the prosecution’s request for her continued detention.

The defense claimed that the prosecutors had blindly accepted the narrative presented by Eric Richins’ family, alleging that Kouri Richins had poisoned him, and then retroactively attempted to substantiate it through a 14-month investigation that yielded no evidence. In a letter submitted on Monday, her attorneys also alleged that detectives had unlawfully detained and interrogated Richins during a search warrant execution at her family home, approximately one month after her husband’s death.

The case has also thrust the town of Kamas, Utah into the spotlight. Situated near Park City, one of the premier destinations in the American West for skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities, Kamas is an agricultural town nestled in the Wasatch Mountains. The couple and their three sons resided in a new development in the nearby town of Francis, approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Salt Lake City.

Should the case proceed to trial, a key factor will likely be the testimony of an unidentified informant who allegedly sold drugs to Richins, which were subsequently found in her husband’s system during the autopsy.

Charging documents and warrants reveal interviews with the informant, who claimed to have sold Richins hydrocodone and fentanyl in the weeks and months leading up to her husband’s death. Prosecutors argue that the timeline of drug purchases aligns with Eric Richins’ demise and supports their assertion that his wife had laced the sandwich weeks prior.

According to prosecutors, after Eric Richins survived the initial poisoning attempt, Kouri Richins requested stronger drugs, referred to as “some of the Michael Jackson stuff,” during discussions with the dealer. In 2009,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about crime investigation

More about crime investigation

• Utah woman charged with murder, drug possession
• Prosecutors allege poisoning in husband’s death
• Kouri Richins’ children’s book and its scrutiny
• Financial and marital disputes as possible motives
• Defense argues evidence is circumstantial
• Overview of the case and location details