Updated: March 17, 2026
If you’ve followed true-crime headlines lately, the name Kouri Richins probably rings a bell. Just yesterday, on March 16, 2026, a Utah jury found this 35-year-old mother of three guilty of aggravated murder in the fentanyl poisoning death of her husband, Eric Richins. Before the shocking verdict, Kouri was known as a real estate investor and the author of a heartfelt children’s book about grief. Her story went from inspiring local TV interviews to national courtroom drama in just a few years.
What makes Kouri Richins’ case so gripping? It’s the heartbreaking contrast: a woman who publicly mourned her husband while prosecutors say she secretly planned his death for financial gain. In this post, we’ll walk through her life, the book that made her famous, the crime, and the explosive trial outcome—keeping it straightforward and respectful of the facts.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Career in Real Estate
Kouri Richins grew up in modest circumstances in Utah, facing financial struggles and a complicated relationship with her parents. Those early challenges shaped her drive to build a better life. By adulthood, she had become a savvy real estate investor who specialized in flipping houses.
She and her husband lived in a beautiful home outside Park City, near the ski town of Kamas. Kouri poured her energy into property deals, but by 2022 her ventures had hit rough waters—she was reportedly more than $1.8 million in debt. Friends and court records describe her as ambitious and hardworking, yet those money troubles would later become a key part of the prosecution’s story.
- Born around 1991, now 35 years old
- Real estate investor and house-flipper
- Faced significant business debt by early 2022
Her career looked successful on the surface, but behind the scenes, pressure was mounting.
Marriage, Family, and Hidden Struggles
Kouri married Eric Richins, a 39-year-old successful stonemasonry business owner and devoted father. Together they raised three young sons (ages 9, 7, and 5 at the time of Eric’s death). On paper, the family seemed picture-perfect—living in a lovely Utah home with a bright future ahead.
Yet the marriage had cracks. Kouri had been in a romantic relationship with another man, Robert Josh Grossman, since around 2020. Text messages shown in court revealed her unhappiness and dreams of starting over. Eric, by all accounts, had no history of drug use and was a loving dad who worked hard to provide for his family.
The couple celebrated milestones together, including Kouri’s business wins. Little did anyone know that one of those celebrations would end in tragedy.
The Mysterious Death and the Grief Book “Are You With Me?”
On March 4, 2022, Eric Richins died suddenly at home after drinking a Moscow mule cocktail (and a lemon drop shot) that prosecutors say Kouri laced with five times a lethal dose of fentanyl. An earlier attempt allegedly occurred on Valentine’s Day when she mixed the drug into a sandwich. No natural causes explained his death, and toxicology confirmed the overdose.
Just over a year later, on March 5, 2023, Kouri published her children’s picture book Are You With Me? It tells the story of a boy coping with the loss of his father—written, she said, to help her own sons process their grief. She promoted it on local TV, sharing emotional stories about reading it at bedtime and turning pain into something positive.
The book quickly gained attention for its heartfelt message and the three “C’s” of coping she highlighted with her kids. What no one realized at the time was how closely it mirrored the very loss she was later accused of causing.
The Trial, Guilty Verdict, and What Comes Next
Kouri Richins was arrested and charged in May 2023 with nearly three dozen counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, and insurance fraud. Prosecutors argued she killed Eric to collect over $2 million in life insurance policies (some allegedly forged) and escape her debts—while planning a new life with her boyfriend.
The trial began February 23, 2026, in Summit County, Utah. After weeks of testimony—including from the family housekeeper who said Kouri asked her multiple times to obtain fentanyl—the defense rested without calling Kouri or any witnesses. On March 16, 2026, the jury deliberated for less than three hours before delivering a unanimous guilty verdict on every charge.
- Convicted of aggravated murder (possible life without parole)
- Also guilty of attempted aggravated murder, forgery, and two counts of insurance fraud
- Sentencing scheduled for May 13, 2026
Eric’s sister Amy Richins spoke outside court: “Our focus is now on honoring Eric’s life and supporting his boys.”
Key Facts About Kouri Richins
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kouri D. Richins |
| Age (2026) | 35 |
| Hometown | Kamas, Utah (near Park City) |
| Occupation | Real estate investor & author |
| Children | Three sons |
| Book Title | Are You With Me? (published 2023) |
| Husband | Eric Richins (died March 4, 2022) |
| Arrest Date | May 8, 2023 |
| Conviction Date | March 16, 2026 |
| Charges | Aggravated murder + 4 others |
| Next Court Date | Sentencing – May 13, 2026 |
Conclusion
Kouri Richins’ story is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change—and how appearances can hide deeper truths. From a dedicated mom writing a tender children’s book to help grieving kids, she now faces the possibility of life behind bars after a swift guilty verdict. Her three sons have lost their father and, in many ways, their mother too.
As the family and community continue to heal, this case leaves us reflecting on love, loss, ambition, and accountability. The justice system has spoken, but the real impact will be felt for years in the lives Eric Richins left behind. If you’re interested in true crime, grief resources, or updates on sentencing, keep an eye on this developing story—because Kouri Richins has gone from quiet Utah mom to one of the most talked-about names of 2026.