Utah mother who wrote book on grief found guilty on poisoning husband

LocalPolitics
17 Mar 2026 • 9:38 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Kouri Richins, a Utah mother who wrote a children's book about grief, was convicted on all charges, including aggravated murder, for fatally poisoning her husband.
  • A Salt Lake City jury found Richins guilty of slipping a lethal dose of fentanyl into her husband Eric Richins' cocktail on March 4, 2022.
  • Prosecutors argued Richins killed her husband for financial gain, citing her deep debt, multiple life insurance policies taken out without his knowledge, and a desire to leave the marriage while retaining his wealth.
  • The defense contended that the state lacked physical evidence proving Richins administered the fentanyl and suggested Eric Richins had access to drugs himself.
  • Richins faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for aggravated murder, with sentencing scheduled for May 13.

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