**Kouri Richins Found Guilty of Murdering Husband with Fentanyl**
Kouri Richins, a Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl, has been found guilty of murder following a weekslong trial. The Summit County jury began deliberations late Monday afternoon and reached a verdict after about three hours. Richins was found guilty on all five counts, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the mother of three, who had self-published a children’s book on grieving following her husband’s death, was obsessed with appearing “privileged, affluent and successful.” They claimed she killed her husband to help pay the debts of her floundering home-flipping business and to get a “fresh start.”
The defense argued the case was “sloppy” and “driven by bias,” stating that the state failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
### Background and Charges
Kouri Richins, 35, was charged with aggravated murder in connection with the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins. Prosecutors allege she spiked Eric’s drink with a lethal dose of illicit fentanyl, which she purchased after asking two people for the “Michael Jackson drug.”
Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth explained during closing arguments, “She does not know a lot about the illicit street drug world, but she knows Michael Jackson died from taking drugs.” Bloodworth added, “She doesn’t know how to order a street drug, but she knows she wants the Michael Jackson stuff because it is lethal. It kills. And she wanted lethal, fatal death.”
Richins was also charged with attempted aggravated murder. Prosecutors allege that on Valentine’s Day, two weeks before Eric’s death, she gave him a sandwich laced with fentanyl in an initial, failed attempt to kill him.
In addition, Kouri Richins faced charges of insurance fraud after allegedly taking out a $100,000 life insurance policy on Eric using his forged signature, then submitting a claim following his death.
### Details of the Incident
Eric Richins, 39, was found dead in bed on March 4, 2022. An autopsy determined he died from fentanyl intoxication, with blood-level fentanyl approximately five times the lethal dosage. The medical examiner noted the fentanyl was illicit, not medical-grade.
Prosecutors outlined that Kouri Richins purchased illicit fentanyl pills shortly before the Valentine’s Day incident and again just before Eric’s death. At that time, she allegedly sought stronger drugs.
### Prosecutor Describes ‘Downward Financial Death Spiral’
During closing arguments, Bloodworth described Richins as being in “financial desperation” due to debts from her realty company, needing a significant influx of cash immediately. He alleged she believed she would benefit financially from her husband’s death, unaware that his assets were placed in a trust for their children.
According to Bloodworth, October 2021 marked the “beginning of the downward financial death spiral” for Richins’ business, which had debts nearing $8 million. He also noted that she booked a vacation with her boyfriend for April 2022, implying she did not expect Eric to be alive by then.
Evidence also included witness testimony stating that in December 2021, Richins remarked, “in many ways it would be better” if Eric were dead. Additionally, prosecutors presented text messages from Richins to her boyfriend, including one from February 19, 2022 — days after the alleged attempted murder — saying, “If he could just go away and you could just be here! Life would be so perfect!!”
Bloodworth claimed that Richins attempted to cover up her role immediately, noting her 911 call where she distanced herself from Eric’s location during his death and her delayed response to performing CPR.
Investigators found Richins had deleted texts and phone logs with multiple contacts, including her former housecleaner, Carmen Lauber, who testified about obtaining illicit drugs at Richins’ request. Phone searches also showed queries like “can cops force you to do a lie detector test” and “can deleted text messages be retrieved from an iPhone.”
When toxicology results revealed fentanyl as the cause of death, Bloodworth argued Richins tried to explain the drug’s presence by claiming Eric had requested it. He maintained Eric did not use illicit drugs, nor did he die by suicide, emphasizing Eric’s reasons to live — primarily his three young sons.
Bloodworth concluded, “The evidence proves that Kouri Richins murdered, attempted to murder Eric Richins, and that she committed two counts of insurance fraud and forgery. The evidence does not support any other explanation.”
### Defense Argues Confirmation Bias and Lack of Evidence
Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued that the prosecution’s case was tainted by confirmation bias from the start. She claimed investigators determined Richins was guilty and then sought evidence to support that conclusion.
Lewis challenged the claim that fentanyl was in Eric’s drink the night he died, asserting no evidence supported this and noting investigators failed to explore other possibilities, such as Eric’s recent trip to Mexico or testing of an old prescription bottle found on his nightstand.
She questioned the credibility of Carmen Lauber, who testified under immunity, saying, “Lauber was not able to tell you she bought fentanyl. She agreed that it was detectives who first put the word fentanyl in her head.”
Lewis also addressed the affair allegations, stating that Richins ended the relationship and did not go on the planned trip with her boyfriend.
Regarding Richins’ phone searches, Lewis argued, “Of course she’s worried. An innocent person would be worried if they found out they’re a suspect in a homicide investigation.”
On financial troubles, Lewis acknowledged the house-flipping business was “struggling” but said Eric was “worth so much more to Kouri alive.” She suggested that Richins was being unfairly judged for her grieving process.
Lewis urged the jury that if they believed Richins accidentally obtained fentanyl and Eric took it voluntarily, then it was not aggravated murder, and they should find her not guilty.
She also argued the state failed to prove fraud or forgery related to the insurance policy.
Prior to closing arguments, the defense filed a motion for mistrial, alleging prosecution’s closing included “wild speculation,” dehumanization of Richins, and inappropriate remarks about her demeanor. The judge denied the motion.
### Prosecutor’s Rebuttal and Trial Conclusion
In rebuttal, Bloodworth acknowledged much of the evidence was circumstantial but emphasized, “People do not video themselves poisoning their spouse. But circumstantial evidence is just as good as direct evidence.”
He highlighted Lauber’s testimony as corroborated and criticized the defense’s efforts to question a letter found in Richins’ jail cell that allegedly outlined instructions to explain Eric’s fentanyl source as Mexico.
Bloodworth concluded, “All the evidence proves that Kouri Richins murdered her husband, the father of her three children. There is no other rational explanation.”
Kouri Richins did not testify during the three-week trial, and the defense called no witnesses.
### Additional Background: Children’s Book and Public Appearance
During the trial, the lead detective testified that Richins paid a ghostwriter for her children’s book. A month before her arrest in May 2023, she appeared on a “Good Things Utah” segment on Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX to promote the book.
In the segment, Richins said her husband of nine years died “unexpectedly” and that his death “completely took us all by shock.”
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The verdict marks a significant conclusion to a tragic case, with sentencing set for May 13. Richins was convicted on all counts, confirming the jury’s belief in the prosecution’s accusations.
https://abcnews.com/US/closing-arguments-murder-trial-kouri-richins-utah-mom/story?id=131117904
