Kouri Richins, the Utah mother accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, allegedly attempted to poison him months prior to his death on Valentine's Day 2022, according to court documents. Richins, 35, faces charges including aggravated murder and drug possession, stemming from accusations that she laced her husband's Moscow mule with fentanyl. Prosecutors suggest her motive was to collect life insurance payouts exceeding $1.9 million and pursue a lucrative career in high-end real estate.
Months before his death, Eric Richins expressed concerns for his safety to friends and family, court records reveal. One alleged incident involved a sandwich Kouri gave him on Valentine's Day 2022. After consuming it, Eric experienced hives and breathing difficulties, prompting him to use his son's EpiPen and take Benadryl. He reportedly told a witness, "I think my wife tried to poison me." Kouri claims she purchased the sandwich from a restaurant and denies poisoning it.
Kouri Richins in court. (Rick Bowmer/Pool)
Kouri and Eric Richins. (Facebook/ Kouri Richins)
Eric and Kouri Richins. (Facebook/Kouri Richins)
Kouri Richins with her attorney. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool)
The Richins' home. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The mansion Kouri Richins wanted to flip. (TownLift/Will Scadden | Facebook)
Kouri Richins in court and Eric Richins. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer | Family handout)
In January 2022, Kouri allegedly changed the beneficiary of Eric's life insurance to herself without his knowledge. Eric reversed this change upon discovering it. Kouri allegedly planned to use the insurance money to renovate and sell a $2 million mansion, a venture Eric reportedly disapproved of. On the night of his death, they were celebrating the closing of a deal on this mansion. A medical examiner found that Eric's system contained over five times the lethal dose of fentanyl.
Following Eric's death, Kouri authored a children's book titled "Are You With Me?" about coping with the loss of a parent. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and awaits trial. Her legal team maintains her innocence and expresses confidence in a jury's eventual verdict.
