Utah Children's Book Author to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Husband with Fentanyl

A Utah children's book author, Kouri Richins, is facing a murder trial after new evidence emerged suggesting she had an affair and purchased fentanyl from a housekeeper to kill her husband.

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Kouri Richins, a 34-year-old mother of three, is accused of poisoning her 39-year-old husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home in March 2022. Prosecutors allege that Richins killed her husband for financial gain, as she was set to receive millions in life insurance funds and planned to flip a house.

Utah Children's Book Author to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Husband with Fentanyl

In a preliminary hearing, a Utah state judge ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence against Richins to proceed with a jury trial. New testimony revealed that Richins was allegedly having an affair with Robert Grossman, a handyman who worked on her flipping business.

Digital forensic expert Chris Kotrodimos testified that Richins regularly exchanged text messages with Grossman, including a photo of two people kissing with the caption "love you" on the night Eric died. In the week following his death, Richins texted Grossman "love you" five times.

Utah Children's Book Author to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Husband with Fentanyl

Housekeeper Carmen Lauber also claimed to have sold fentanyl to Richins on three occasions. According to Det. Jeff O'Driscoll of the Summit County Sheriff's Office, police arrested Lauber after linking her to Richins through text messages. At Lauber's home, authorities found drugs and other illegal items, including fentanyl pills that matched the description of the ones used in Eric's murder.

Prosecutors also believe that Richins killed her husband after a failed attempt to poison him with fentanyl on Valentine's Day. A medical examiner found that Eric had 16,000 ng/ml of Quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication used as a sleep aid, in his gastric fluid.

Utah Children's Book Author to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Husband with Fentanyl

Defense attorneys for Richins maintain her innocence, claiming that the charges against her lack thorough scrutiny and that a jury will find her not guilty. However, criminal defense attorney Jonna Spilbor believes the evidence presented at trial, including Richins' alleged affair and purchase of fentanyl, will be detrimental to her case.

Spilbor explained that circumstantial evidence, such as the presence of fentanyl in Eric's system and Richins being the last person to see him alive, will heavily influence the jury. She also noted that evidence suggests Richins was overextended financially and that her husband was considering a divorce and removing her from his will.

Utah Children's Book Author to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Husband with Fentanyl

The children's book written by Richins about coping with grief after her husband's death, "Are You with Me?", could potentially be used by prosecutors as evidence that her actions were calculated and part of an elaborate cover-up attempt. Spilbor believes the book could incite jurors' emotions and further support the prosecution's case.

The trial is expected to draw significant attention as it raises questions about the motive behind a seemingly loving mother's actions. The outcome of the trial will likely have a profound impact on the lives of the Richins family and the community at large.

Utah Children's Book Author to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Husband with Fentanyl