Judge Orders Trial for Mom Accused of Fatally Poisoning Husband with Fentanyl

A judge in Utah has decreed that Kouri Richins, a mother accused of murdering her husband with fentanyl, will stand trial. The ruling came during a hearing on Tuesday, following a preliminary hearing that lasted two days.

Kouri Richins, 34, who is a realtor and has three children, authored a children’s book about coping with loss after the passing of her husband, Eric Richins. She was arrested last year after a detailed investigation that led to her being charged with aggravated murder and several drug-related offenses concerning her husband’s death.

Eric Richins was discovered dead in their bedroom on March 4, 2022. An autopsy concluded that his death was due to fentanyl intoxication, with the amount found in his system being approximately five times the lethal dose. The medical examiner specified that the fentanyl was of an illicit nature, not pharmaceutical grade, as outlined in the official documents.

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Richard Mrazik stated that enough probable cause had been established for both aggravated murder and the illegal distribution of controlled substances. He highlighted that there was also probable cause to believe Richins had attempted aggravated murder on Valentine’s Day of 2022 by allegedly poisoning her husband with a sandwich laced with fentanyl—a prior unsuccessful attempt according to the prosecution.

The judge also noted evidence suggesting that Kouri Richins may have fraudulently obtained a life insurance policy on her husband’s life just before his death. Mrazik indicated that she had a significant financial motivation to see him dead, pointing out that the financial arrangements were more favorable for her under the prenup if he were no longer alive.

Ultimately, all 11 charges listed in the amended complaint have been scheduled for trial. Kouri Richins entered a plea of not guilty in court on Tuesday.

“We are not determining guilt in this matter today,” Mrazik stated to the court. “Ms. Richins is presumed innocent of all charges and will continue to be so until proven otherwise.” The trial is set to commence on April 28, 2025, and is expected to last about a month, with four days reserved for jury selection.

Prosecutors have contended that Kouri Richins was under financial stress and engaged in an extramarital affair when she managed to obtain the illicit fentanyl. They allege that she attempted to poison her husband with a fentanyl-laced egg sandwich, followed by the administration of a lethal dose in a concoction described as a “lemon shot.”

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Brad Bloodworth argued that Kouri documented her methods in her journal, revealing her awareness of how much fentanyl would be required to effectuate her plan. The toxicology report indicated a staggering concentration of the drug in Eric’s system, supporting the claim of a premeditated act.

In contrast, the defense argued that there is no concrete evidence that supports allegations of poisoning on either occasion. Defense attorney Kathy Nester insisted that there was no medical proof linking Richins to the poisoning incident on February 14 and dismissed claims as speculative.

Kouri Richins faces multiple counts related to forgery and fraud as well. Authorities allege she forged her husband’s signature on an insurance application just weeks prior to his death, with a policy that included a death benefit of $100,000, effective just ten days before the incident in question.

Throughout the preliminary hearing, prosecutors called multiple witnesses, including a detective who had interacted with the alleged drug dealer, and a financial expert who discussed Richins’ increasing debt. The defense team pointed out that investigators did not thoroughly examine other potential suspects in Eric Richins’ death, nor did they find any drug substances in their home.

Additionally, prosecutor Bloodworth noted that Kouri texted a partner about the possibility of her husband ‘going away’ shortly before his death, raising further inquiries regarding her intentions.

On the other hand, the defense maintained that a singular text cannot be interpreted as evidence of murder, arguing the relationships within the household were not idyllic, and emphasizing a weak connection between the alleged crime and the text messages.

Since her arrest in May 2023, Kouri Richins has remained in custody, firmly asserting her innocence in a recorded message she shared. In this communication, she expressed that the public has yet to understand her true character and intentions, denying the accusations against her.

Prior to the preliminary hearing, Kouri had changed her legal representation after her former attorneys requested to withdraw from the case, citing ongoing conflicts. The motion to disqualify the prosecutors for alleged misconduct was ultimately denied by the judge.

Before her arrest, Kouri appeared on a local television segment promoting her book, where she described her husband’s death as an unexpected tragedy that brought overwhelming grief to her family.