Utah Children’s Author Kouri Richins Faces Murder Trial Over 2022 Fentanyl Death
Updated (6 articles)
Trial Opens Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, with Nearly Three Dozen Felony Counts Summit County prosecutors began the month‑long trial of 35‑year‑old Kouri Richins, a self‑published children’s‑book author, accusing her of aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud and insurance fraud, a charge that carries a 25‑years‑to‑life sentence[1][3]. The case is being heard by a twelve‑person jury and is scheduled to run through March 26, drawing dozens of spectators to the Park City courthouse[1][3].
Prosecutors Say Two Fentanyl Doses Killed Eric Richins The state alleges Richins first gave her husband a fentanyl‑laced sandwich on Valentine’s Day 2022, causing hives and a blackout, then slipped five times the lethal dose into a Moscow mule cocktail in early March, which the medical examiner confirmed as the cause of death[1][2]. Autopsy results showed a blood concentration about five‑times the lethal dose of fentanyl[5]. Housekeeper Carmen Lauber testified she sold Richins more than a dozen fentanyl pills, though no drugs were ever found in the home[3][4].
Financial Pressure Cited as Primary Motive Prosecutors presented evidence that Richins owed roughly $4.5 million in debt, had opened undisclosed life‑insurance policies on Eric worth nearly $2 million, and stood to inherit an estate valued between $4 million and $5 million[1][2]. Text messages to a lover referenced a divorce settlement and plans for a new real‑estate venture, reinforcing the money motive[2][5].
Defense Highlights Husband’s Health Issues and Questionable Evidence Attorney Kathryn Nester emphasized Eric’s chronic Lyme disease, long‑term pain‑killer use, and a 911 call in which Richins appeared distraught, arguing the death could stem from his existing conditions[1][3]. The defense also points to the housekeeper’s immunity, the absence of fentanyl in the house, and a dealer’s later affidavit denying any fentanyl sale, casting doubt on the prosecution’s drug‑supply narrative[5][6].
Key Witnesses and Timeline Reinforce Prosecution’s Narrative Testimony indicates the housekeeper purchased over 15 fentanyl pills on Feb. 11, 2022, and supplied additional doses on Feb. 26, leading up to Eric’s death on March 4[2][6]. Texts and internet searches uncovered by prosecutors include queries about “luxury prisons for the rich America,” insurance payouts, and data recovery, which they argue demonstrate premeditation[1][2].
Sources
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1.
AP: Utah Children’s Author on Trial for Husband’s Death – Details the opening of the murder trial, the extensive felony count list, alleged fentanyl use, $4.5 million debt motive, and defense’s health‑issue argument.
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2.
CNN: Utah murder trial: In‑laws recount Kouri Richins’ calm demeanor after husband’s death – Highlights in‑law observations of Richins’s composure, the fentanyl overdose evidence, and the timeline of poisoning attempts.
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3.
WBNS: Utah Mother’s Murder Trial Opens Amid Grief‑Book Publication – Notes the trial’s start, the self‑published grief book, fentanyl‑laced sandwich and cocktail, and financial‑fraud allegations.
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4.
King5: Utah Mom’s Murder Trial Opens, Prosecutors Cite Debt and Fentanyl – Emphasizes the dual fentanyl doses, debt‑driven motive, and the post‑death children’s book as a possible cover.
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5.
CNN: Utah mother’s murder trial begins as she defends children’s book author’s legacy – Focuses on the book’s purpose, the 2022 fentanyl killing, financial motive, and defense’s challenge to drug‑sale evidence.
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6.
AP: Utah Mother’s Murder Trial Begins Amid Claims of Financial Motive and Prior Poisoning Attempt – Provides a comprehensive overview of the trial’s scope, earlier sandwich poisoning, housekeeper testimony, and the extensive fraud scheme alleged by prosecutors.
Timeline
Oct 2020 – Eric Richins meets a divorce attorney and estate planner after discovering Kouri’s secret financial moves, laying groundwork for later disputes over his estate and insurance policies [4].
Feb 11, 2022 – Housekeeper Carmen Lauber purchases more than 15 fentanyl pills for Kouri Richins, establishing a supply chain that prosecutors later allege she uses to poison her husband [1].
Feb 14, 2022 – Kouri leaves a sandwich laced with fentanyl for Eric; he suffers a severe allergic reaction, calls a friend, and tells the friend she tried to poison him, providing early evidence of a murder attempt [4].
Feb 26, 2022 – Kouri orders additional fentanyl pills, indicating continued intent to use the drug after the Valentine’s Day incident [1].
Mar 4, 2022 – Eric Richins dies in their Kamas bedroom; the medical examiner reports a blood concentration of fentanyl about five times the lethal dose, and investigators link the death to a fentanyl‑laden Moscow mule cocktail Kouri allegedly prepared [1].
Apr 2023 – Kouri self‑publishes the children’s picture book Are You With Me? to help her three sons process their father’s death and promotes it on a local TV program, using the tragedy as a marketing platform [2].
May 2023 – Utah authorities arrest Kouri Richins on charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud and forgery, accusing her of the 2022 fentanyl poisonings and a financial motive tied to over $2 million in life‑insurance policies [2].
Feb 23, 2026 – The murder trial of Kouri Richins begins in Summit County with a twelve‑person jury; prosecutors open with accusations that she killed her husband for money, while the defense enters a not‑guilty plea and urges jurors to hear her side [3][5][6].
Feb 23, 2026 – Opening statements detail that Kouri allegedly slipped a lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow mule and previously attempted poisoning with a sandwich, and that she owed $4.5 million in debt while hiding nearly $2 million in life‑insurance policies on her husband [2].
Feb 24, 2026 – In‑laws testify that Kouri reacts detachedly to her brother’s death, with Katie Richins‑Benson saying she “fell to the floor” while Kouri “shook her head ‘no’ and did not cry,” and her father Eugene noting she “barely spoke” that morning, underscoring a calm demeanor amid the tragedy [1].
Feb 24, 2026 – Defense attorney Kathy Nester calls Kouri “flawed” but insists she “didn’t know what happened,” arguing the sandwich caused only an allergic reaction and that the prosecution’s drug evidence is unreliable [1].
Feb 24, 2026 – Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth tells jurors that Kouri “owes $4.5 million, believes she will inherit a $4 million estate, and opened life‑insurance policies worth nearly $2 million without her husband’s knowledge,” framing a clear financial motive [5].
Feb 24, 2026 – Defense attorney Kathryn Nester highlights Eric’s Lyme disease, chronic pain‑killer use, and a 911 call where Kouri sobs, questioning the fentanyl evidence and suggesting the death could stem from his health issues rather than murder [3].
Feb 24, 2026 – Housekeeper Carmen Lauber testifies under immunity that she sold Kouri up to 90 fentanyl pills, a claim the defense challenges by noting no drugs were found in the home and a dealer later recants selling fentanyl, casting doubt on the prosecution’s key witness [4][2].
Mar 26, 2026 (expected) – The trial is scheduled to conclude on March 26, 2026, after a month of testimony, with jurors set to deliberate on nearly three dozen felony counts that could carry a 25‑years‑to‑life sentence if Kouri is convicted of aggravated murder [3][5].