Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old Utah mother and children's book author, was convicted on 16 March 2026 of murdering her husband Eric Richins by lacing his cocktail with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors argued Richins was motivated by financial gain, having taken out large life insurance policies on her husband before his death.
In a striking turn, Richins published a grief book to help their children cope with the loss of their father — then was arrested weeks after appearing on television to promote it. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning guilty verdicts on all counts, including a charge relating to a failed Valentine's Day poisoning attempt weeks before Eric's death.
Richins faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for 13 May 2026.
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