A Utah mother accused of poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl had the audacity to write a children’s book about grief following his death—now she faces trial as prosecutors present evidence of calculated murder driven by greed and a $5 million estate.
Fatal Cocktail and Financial Desperation
Eric Richins, 39, was found dead in his Kamas, Utah home on March 4, 2022, after his wife Kouri allegedly spiked his cocktail with illicit fentanyl. An autopsy revealed fentanyl levels five times the lethal dose coursing through his system, alongside quetiapine detected in gastric fluid. Prosecutors argue the murder was no spontaneous act—Kouri’s struggling realty business owed $1.8 million at the time of Eric’s death, creating a stark financial motive when set against his $5 million estate. The timing raises eyebrows: she had allegedly secured a fraudulent life insurance policy on Eric just weeks before his demise, positioning herself to collect.
Valentine’s Day Rehearsal for Murder
The alleged March poisoning was not Kouri’s first attempt, according to prosecutors. On February 14, 2022, she purportedly laced a sandwich with fentanyl in a failed bid to kill Eric, who survived that Valentine’s Day attack. The very next day, text messages to a paramour revealed her mindset: “if he could just go away … life would be so perfect.” These communications paint a chilling picture of premeditation and motive—an individual so desperate to escape financial ruin and marital constraints that murder became the solution. This pattern of escalation, from failed poisoning to fatal dosing within three weeks, underscores prosecutorial claims of calculated intent rather than tragic accident.
Grief Profiteering and Shameless Self-Promotion
In an act that defies decency, Kouri self-published a children’s book on grief following Eric’s death, framing his passing as “unexpected” and “shocking” during televised promotional appearances. The book, marketed as a tool to help children process loss, now stands as evidence of audacity—profiting from a tragedy she allegedly engineered. Her mother, Lisa Darden, insists “a hundred percent” on her daughter’s innocence, claiming “She could not have done this,” yet the contrast between public mourning and private texts about wishing Eric would “go away” reveals a troubling duality. For families who value honesty and accountability, this exploitation of grief for personal gain represents a moral collapse that accompanies the alleged criminal acts.
Small-Town Trial Faces Impartiality Challenges
Jury selection commenced February 10, 2026, in Summit County, where the case has become local legend in the tight-knit Kamas community. Defense attorney Kathy Nester argued that “scandal and notoriety poisoned” the trial, twice requesting a venue change—requests Judge Richard Mrazik denied. Jury consultant Malynda Ruth noted the selection process is “unique for the area… money and greed” narratives fuel bias in a “small community where everyone knows everyone.” The five-day selection process aims to identify impartial jurors through careful questioning and strikes for cause, but the pervasive publicity raises legitimate concerns about fairness. Opening statements are set for February 23, 2026, with the trial expected to last five weeks as prosecutors present forensic evidence and text messages against Kouri’s protestations of innocence.
National Pattern of Domestic Poisonings
A January 2026 Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin explicitly cited the Richins case as part of an “accelerating national pattern” of domestic poisonings using hard-to-detect toxins. The bulletin documented 17 cases since 2014 resulting in 11 deaths, warning law enforcement about fentanyl, cyanide, and even eye drops deployed by perpetrators seeking to mimic natural illness or accidents. This trend reflects broader dangers fentanyl poses beyond street overdoses—it has become a weapon in intimate settings where trust is exploited. For communities already grappling with the opioid crisis fueled by open borders and lax enforcement during prior administrations, this domestic misuse compounds the fentanyl tragedy, demanding vigilance from both law enforcement and families recognizing warning signs of financial desperation or suspicious behavior.
Sources:
Kouri Richins, accused of poisoning husband, goes on trial – CBS News