A Utah jury has found Kouri Richins guilty of murdering her husband in a case that shocked the nation.
Richins, a real estate agent and mother of three, was convicted of poisoning her husband Eric Richins with fentanyl in 2022. Prosecutors said she later wrote and promoted a children’s book about coping with grief after his death.
The Summit County jury returned guilty verdicts on all five charges, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. The decision came after about three hours of deliberation.
Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13.
Husband Found Dead in Utah Home
Eric Richins, 39, was found dead in the couple’s home on March 4, 2022. An autopsy later determined that he died from fentanyl intoxication.
The medical examiner reported that the amount of fentanyl in his blood was about five times the lethal dose.
According to charging documents, investigators determined the drug was illicit fentanyl and not medical grade.
More information about fentanyl overdose risks can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Prosecutors Described Financial Motive
Prosecutors argued that Richins killed her husband to escape severe financial problems.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Brad Bloodworth told jurors that Richins faced millions of dollars in debt from her failing home flipping business.
He said she believed her husband’s death would provide financial relief and a fresh start.
According to prosecutors, Richins had debts approaching eight million dollars as her business struggled.
Evidence Presented During Trial
Prosecutors said Richins purchased fentanyl through an intermediary after asking for what she called the “Michael Jackson drug.”
The phrase referred to the drug that contributed to the death of pop star Michael Jackson in 2009.
Investigators also presented text messages and phone searches that they said showed attempts to hide evidence.
These searches included questions about lie detector tests and whether deleted messages could be recovered from an iPhone.
Insurance Fraud and Forgery Charges
Richins was also convicted of insurance fraud and forgery connected to a life insurance policy.
Prosecutors said she took out a 100,000 dollar life insurance policy on her husband using a forged signature.
After Eric Richins died, she filed a claim for the policy.
Authorities said financial records and documents helped support the charges.
Defense Claimed Investigation Was Biased
Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued that investigators rushed to judgment and built the case on confirmation bias.
She told jurors that there was no direct evidence showing fentanyl was placed in Eric Richins’ drink.
The defense also suggested the drug may have come from another source, including a recent trip Eric Richins had taken to Mexico.
Richins pleaded not guilty and maintained her innocence throughout the trial.
Children’s Book Drew National Attention
The case gained national attention after Richins published a children’s book about grief.
The book focused on helping children cope with losing a loved one.
Richins appeared on a television segment promoting the book just weeks before her arrest in May 2023.
In the interview, she described her husband’s death as sudden and unexpected.
Major coverage of the case has been reported by outlets such as Reuters and other national news organizations.
Sentencing Scheduled for May
Richins showed little reaction in court as the judge read the verdict.
She looked down and remained still while each guilty count was announced.
The judge scheduled her sentencing hearing for May 13.
The conviction closes one of the most closely watched criminal trials in Utah in recent years.